Los Angeles Wrongful Termination Lawyer

Fighting For Employees Who Have Been Illegally Fired

At Nosrati Law, we don’t put up with wrongful termination, and neither should you. Even if your employment is “at-will” in California, that does not give employers the right to fire you for an illegal reason. This includes termination based on race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or age, or for reporting harassment, discrimination, or fraud.

If you have reason to suspect your employer dismissed you illegally, let the Los Angeles wrongful termination attorneys at Nosrati Law help. We only represent employees, never employers.

Our firm works closely with our clients to help hold employers accountable for the damages they have caused. These damages can include loss of income and emotional distress that was caused by the wrongful termination.

We have represented employees since 2001 and have recovered tens of millions of dollars for workers across California. We also handle every case on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no fees unless we win your case. 

Real Results for Employees Like You

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Why Workers in Los Angeles Trust Nosrati Law

• We've handled wrongful termination cases in Los Angeles for over 20 years
• We've recovered millions in compensation for wrongfully terminated workers
• We only represent workers and employees, not employers and corporations
• We handle all cases on contingency, which means no fees unless we win
• Our diverse legal team can offer services in English, Spanish, and Farsi
• We have over 100 five-star reviews from the people we've helped

If you have reason to believe that you were fired from your job because of discrimination or retaliation, call (323) 784-0643 to schedule a free consultation with our wrongful termination lawyers in Los Angeles.

Notable Wrongful Termination Cases We've Handled

Wrongful termination does not only happen at small companies or to lower-level employees. It happens at some of the most well-known organizations in the country — and Nosrati Law has taken those cases on directly.

Wrongful Termination Lawsuit Against Netflix

In 2025, Nosrati Law filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Netflix on behalf of an executive who spent nearly seven years at the company before being fired. The lawsuit alleges that our client raised concerns internally about sexual harassment, discrimination, and a hostile work environment on multiple occasions and was terminated in response.

Read about the case in The Hollywood Reporter →

Wrongful Termination Lawsuit Against Robinhood

In 2022, Nosrati Law represented a senior AI researcher at Robinhood who was terminated after being passed over for a director-level promotion in favor of a less-qualified male candidate. Despite an exceptional track record, she was not even interviewed for the role. Shortly after a new manager was assigned, she was let go in a meeting that lasted five minutes. 

Read about the case in Rolling Stone →

What Is Wrongful Termination?

In basic terms, wrongful termination is the illegal firing of an employee. While it’s mostly up to the employer when to hire and fire workers, there are certain circumstances when the termination will be “wrongful” in the eyes of the law. 

Federal and state workplace discrimination laws often come into play when dealing with wrongful termination cases. You need a wrongful termination attorney with experience handling federal and state civil rights laws.

How Do You Prove Wrongful Termination?

In California, you generally need to prove three things to win a wrongful termination case.

What Types of Evidence Can Support My Case?

Important evidence in a wrongful termination case may include:

• Documentation of the termination reason given
• Evidence of protected activity (if retaliation is claimed)
• Witness statements
• Performance reviews
• Company policies
• Email communications

The more documentation you have supporting your claims, the stronger your position. That said, a wrongful termination lawyer can help you identify what evidence is available and how to use it effectively. Employers rarely admit to an illegal motive, so building a case often requires reading between the lines of how and when the termination occurred.

Examples of Wrongful Termination

There are almost endless examples of wrongful termination. However, some scenarios happen more often than others. There are common reasons for wrongful termination that can help you understand whether or not you have a claim. Remember that each claim is unique, and the best way to find out if you have a lawsuit is to discuss your case with a lawyer.

Common circumstances that can lead to wrongful termination include:

• Breach of contract
• Employee discrimination or workplace harassment
• Forcing an employee to leave the position
• Ignoring protected leave
• Improper accommodations for disabilities
• Violation of public policy
• Whistleblowing or retaliation

Wrongful termination is a very serious offense that can completely dismantle an employee’s life. In the majority of cases, employers know what they are doing. They know they’re breaking the law or firing someone illegally and are hoping the employee simply won’t do anything about it – or even realize that the termination is against the law. 

When you speak with one of our Los Angeles wrongful termination attorneys at Nosrati Law, you can get to the bottom of your recent termination and take action right away. We can help you seek justice and fair compensation. 

What Are the Grounds for Wrongful Termination in California?

To have a valid wrongful termination claim, employers must violate state or federal law when they fire employees. Since California is a state where employees work at will, it’s possible for employers to terminate workers at any time. 

However, the law has many restrictions on when employees can lose their jobs.

Contract Claims

Employment contracts can contain a guarantee of employment for a certain amount of time. They can also include a statement that mentions that the employer will only fire someone for cause. If your employer breaches the terms of the contract in firing you, then you will likely have a strong claim for wrongful termination. A contract can include oral and written agreements.

Discrimination Claims

California's anti-discrimination protections go beyond federal law, covering a broader range of characteristics. 

Employers cannot base job decisions, including termination, on any of the following:

• Race or color
• National origin or citizenship status
• Religion
• Sex or gender
• Pregnancy or related medical conditions
• Age (40 and over)
• Disability
• Sexual orientation
• Genetic information
• Gender identity
• Marital status
• AIDS/HIV status
• Medical condition
• Political beliefs or activities
• Military or veteran status
• Being a victim of stalking, assault, or domestic violence

If your termination involved any of these characteristics, you may be entitled to recover lost wages, lost benefits, and additional damages depending on the circumstances of your case.

Retaliation Claims

All workers have the right to exercise and enforce their employment rights without fear of losing their jobs. If your employer terminated you after you engaged in a protected activity, you may have a retaliation claim.

We often represent employees who have experienced:

• Wrongful termination for using FMLA leave
• Wrongful termination based on discrimination
• Wrongful termination for reporting harassment or discrimination
• Wrongful termination for reporting fraud
• Wrongful termination for seeking payment of wages
• Wrongful termination after taking sick leave

Violation of Public Policy

Public policy claims have similar grounds as retaliation claims, which follow a specific legal provision. Public policy mandates that employees cannot lose their jobs for exercising a legal right, complaining about workplace illegality, or refusing to commit an illegal act. You do not need to base your public policy claim on a specific legal provision to have a valid case. 

For example, employees who lost their jobs because they refused to participate in fraud by their company will still have grounds for wrongful termination, even though no law or statute expressly forbids firing an employee for such an action.

Regular layoffs or performance-based firings usually aren’t wrongful termination, even if they feel unfair. But if your firing violated state or federal protections, you may have a strong case that deserves legal representation.  

Find Out If You Have a Case

Understanding California's Wrongful Termination Laws

Every state maintains its own employment and wrongful termination laws. In California, an overarching “at-will” law exists within all workplaces. This means employers have the right to dismiss employees at will, anytime, for any reason. In other words, the employee does not have a contract with the company and can face dismissal at any time. The state’s at-will laws have several important exceptions, however, and never apply in cases where an employer terminates someone for unlawful reasons.

In California, wrongful termination can exist even if there is a reason for your employer to fire you.

If the employer mixed a permissible reason for your termination with an impermissible one, you could still have grounds to file a wrongful termination claim. The illegal reason must have been a “substantial motivating factor” in your termination for you to have the right to fight your employer on the decision, not something trivial. To have a wrongful termination claim, your employer must have either formally fired you or made working conditions hostile so that you would quit (constructive termination).

A successful wrongful termination claim can result in monetary damages for your lost wages and benefits, lost employment opportunities, emotional distress, and even punitive damages for your employer’s wrongful action. 

Keep in mind that several other laws could play a part in a wrongful termination claim, including laws under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act and the Labor Code. Consulting with an experienced employment lawyer is a good first step to help you sort through the specific California wrongful termination laws that apply to your case.

Exceptions to At-Will Employment

California labor laws enforce at-will employment in most situations. This does not, however, give employers the right to terminate workers illegally. There are exceptions to California’s at-will laws that give employees the right to take their employers to court in the event of wrongful termination.

Exceptions to the at-will law in California include:

• If a contract or implied contract exists between the two parties that states the employer will not terminate the employee without good cause.
• If the employer terminates the employee based on a protected class, such as age, race, pregnancy, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or military status.
• If the employer wrongfully terminates the employee because he or she performed a legal duty, such as reporting the employer to authorities, or if the employee refused to help the employer conduct illegal activities.
• If the employer terminates the employee for reporting unsafe work conditions.

At Nosrati Law, our wrongful termination attorneys understand what laws protect Los Angeles workers, and know how to handle these cases with care. We help wronged employees understand their rights, stand up against discrimination or illegal business practices, and get the reimbursement they deserve. Give us a call today to learn how we can help you.

Contact Our Wrongful Termination Attorneys in Los Angeles

If you believe you have been wrongfully terminated from your job, it is important to take action as soon as possible to protect your rights. Losing your job under unfair or illegal circumstances can be overwhelming, but you do not have to face it alone. 

Our Los Angeles wrongful termination lawyers can evaluate your situation, explain your legal options, and help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to. Whether your termination involved discrimination, retaliation, harassment, or a violation of employment laws, having skilled legal representation could make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. 

Evidence can disappear, and deadlines can pass quickly, so reaching out for legal guidance right away is crucial. Our team is committed to standing up for employees who have been treated unjustly and works diligently to hold employers accountable.

If you were recently fired or lost your job and have questions about a potential wrongful termination case, contact our team at Nosrati Law in Los Angeles for a free consultation: (323) 784-0643.