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Employment Discrimination Lawyers in California

Helping California employees understand their rights under the Fair Employment and Housing Act

Reviewed by Danielle GruppChang, Senior Associate Attorney, Blackstone Law, APC (CA Bar No. 313881) · Last reviewed October 16, 2026

If you believe you were treated unfairly at work because of who you are rather than how you performed, you may be wondering whether what happened was against the law. California has some of the strongest workplace protections in the country, and depending on the circumstances, you may have options. Blackstone Law may be able to help you understand whether your situation could support a potential discrimination claim.

What Workplace Discrimination Can Mean in California

Under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, or “FEHA,” it is generally an unlawful employment practice for an employer, because of a person’s protected characteristic, to refuse to hire or employ the person, to bar or discharge the person from employment, or to discriminate against the person in compensation or in the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment (Gov. Code § 12940(a)). FEHA’s discrimination provisions generally apply to employers with five or more employees (Gov. Code § 12926(d)). In plain terms, this means an employer generally may not make important job decisions, such as hiring, firing, pay, promotions, or discipline, because of a characteristic the law protects.

Protected characteristics under the statute include race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity and gender expression, age (40 and over), sexual orientation, reproductive health decisionmaking, and military and veteran status. FEHA also prohibits discrimination based on a combination of these characteristics. Under FEHA’s definitions, “sex” includes pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding, and “race” includes traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles (Gov. Code § 12926). Whether any particular decision was actually unlawful depends heavily on the specific facts.

Retaliation Is Also Prohibited

FEHA also makes it generally unlawful for an employer to discharge or otherwise discriminate against a person because the person opposed practices forbidden under FEHA, or filed a complaint, testified, or assisted in a FEHA proceeding (Gov. Code § 12940(h)). In general terms, this means being punished for reporting discrimination, whether your own or a coworker’s, may itself raise legal questions depending on the circumstances.

How Blackstone Law May Be Able to Help

Every situation is different, and not every unfair workplace experience amounts to unlawful discrimination. Our team may be able to listen to what happened, help you understand how California law may apply to your circumstances, and explain the options that may be available. There is no cost to request an initial evaluation of your potential claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as workplace discrimination in California?
In general terms, workplace discrimination under California’s FEHA can occur when an employer makes a job-related decision, such as firing, failing to hire, pay, promotion, or discipline, because of a protected characteristic rather than for a legitimate business reason. Protected characteristics include race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age (40 and over), disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, reproductive health decisionmaking, and military and veteran status, or a combination of these characteristics. Whether a specific decision was unlawful depends on the facts, so it is best evaluated by a qualified attorney.
Is my employer allowed to retaliate against me for complaining?
Generally no. FEHA makes it unlawful for an employer to discharge or otherwise discriminate against a person because they opposed practices forbidden under FEHA or participated in a FEHA complaint or proceeding (Gov. Code § 12940(h)). If you experienced negative treatment after reporting discrimination or harassment, that may raise a separate retaliation question depending on the circumstances.
How long do I have to file a discrimination claim in California?
Deadlines vary by the type of claim. For many FEHA-based claims, there is generally up to three years from the date of the alleged unlawful practice to file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (Gov. Code § 12960(e)(5)), followed generally by up to one year from the date of a right-to-sue notice to file a civil action (Gov. Code § 12965(c)(1)(D)). Exceptions and different procedural requirements may apply. Because the applicable deadline depends on the specific claim and facts, and missing it may affect your ability to pursue a claim, consider seeking legal advice promptly.
What does it cost to pursue a discrimination claim with Blackstone Law?
We work on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay any attorneys’ fees unless we obtain a recovery for you. If there is no recovery, you will not owe Blackstone Law any attorney fees or reimbursement of case costs. Blackstone Law also offers a free case evaluation, so there is generally no cost to find out whether your situation may support a potential claim.
How much does it cost to talk to a discrimination lawyer at Blackstone Law?
Blackstone Law offers a free case evaluation. You may call (310) 956-4054 or contact the firm online to request one. During that evaluation, the firm may be able to help you understand whether your situation could support a potential claim and explain your options.
Do I have a case if I was treated unfairly but not fired?
Possibly, depending on the facts. Discrimination under FEHA can involve more than termination, and may include decisions about pay, promotions, job assignments, discipline, or other terms and conditions of employment, when made because of a protected characteristic. Whether a particular situation may support a claim is fact-specific and best evaluated by a qualified attorney.

If you believe you may have been discriminated against at work and want to better understand the strength of your potential claim, Blackstone Law may be able to help evaluate the circumstances and explain your legal options. Because filing deadlines vary depending on the type of claim, consider seeking legal advice promptly.

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Legal Disclaimer: This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Employment laws, filing deadlines, and available remedies depend on the specific facts of each situation and may change over time. Reading this page, using this website, submitting an inquiry, or contacting Blackstone Law does not create an attorney-client relationship. The firm represents clients only after both parties enter into a written agreement signed by the firm and the client. Do not rely solely on this information to calculate a legal deadline, evaluate the strength of a potential claim, or decide whether to sign an agreement. Consult a qualified California employment attorney promptly regarding your circumstances. Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome.