Orange County Wrongful Termination Lawyer

Top-Rated Wrongful Termination Attorney in Orange County, CA

Overview

• Dedicated Orange County Wrongful Termination Attorney at MM Law
• Understanding Wrongful Termination Cases in Orange County
• California Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, and Wrongful Termination
• FAQs
• Hire a Wrongful Termination Lawyer at MM Law

Losing your job can be incredibly destabilizing, both personally and financially. This sudden change can be even more upsetting when the termination is unfair. If you were fired for an illegal reason, such as on the basis of discrimination or in breach of your employment contract, you could file a wrongful termination claim, which could recover financial losses and even result in reinstatement. An Orange County wrongful termination lawyer can help with this process.

Dedicated Orange County Wrongful Termination Attorney at MM Law

It’s important that you find an experienced employment lawyer who can handle your case with compassion and care. At MM Law APC, our team focuses on honest, diligent, and empathetic legal representation. Maralle Messrelian is the firm’s founding attorney, and she has years of experience in employment law and wrongful termination cases in California. Maralle is a skilled litigator and legal advocate who focuses on honest and accessible representation.

Our firm is committed to providing excellent service, and we are glad to help our community. If you have wrongfully lost your job, our team can help you determine if you have the grounds for a wrongful termination case. We assess the compensation you might be owed and explain your options for filing a claim. Our goal is to help you get back on your feet. We limit how many cases we handle at once so we can give you the individualized care and support you deserve.

Understanding Wrongful Termination Cases in Orange County

The economy in Orange County is supported by major industries like tourism, manufacturing, and finance. The county has a workforce of over 1.6 million, with a 2025 average unemployment rate of 4.1%.

California follows at-will employment laws, so employees and employers can terminate the employment relationship for nearly any reason. Employers cannot, however, terminate a worker’s employment for an illegal reason. If you lost your job for an illegal reason, you could have the basis for a wrongful termination claim.

An illegal basis for termination might include:

• Discrimination. It is illegal to make hiring, firing, and other workplace decisions on the basis of a protected characteristic. A termination is wrongful if it is made on the basis of race, age, sex, gender, disability, religion, or other protected characteristics. While employers often try to hide discrimination-based terminations behind other reasons for termination, a strong case can prove these reasons untrue.
• Retaliation. When termination is done in response to you taking a protected action, it is illegal. Protected actions include reporting discrimination and harassment in the workplace, filing a wage claim, reporting illegal activity, filing a workers’ compensation claim, reporting health and safety violations, or taking protected leave.
• Constructive discharge. This occurs when an employer makes working conditions so terrible that no reasonable person would continue to be employed. When poor working conditions are unlawful, and this leads to you resigning, you may have the basis for a wrongful termination claim.
• Breach of contract. California is an at-will employment state, but you may not be an at-will employee. Some employment contracts require a genuine basis for termination. If you were not given a cause for termination but your contract requires one, you could file a claim.

California Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, and Wrongful Termination

The California Civil Rights Department (CRD), previously known as the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, lists employment complaints and right-to-sue request complaints by employees. These complaints and requests can be based on wrongful termination or discrimination and harassment in the workplace. The CRD reported:

• 2,174 employment complaints and 14,430 right-to-sue complaints were made due to disability discrimination or harassment.
• 1,775 employment complaints and 11,837 right-to-sue complaints were made by employees who reported or resisted discrimination and harassment in the workplace.
• 1,257 employment complaints and 9,131 right-to-sue complaints were made due to sex and/or gender discrimination or harassment.

The CRD offices closest to Orange County are in Los Angeles and Riverside.

FAQs

What Are the Odds of Having a Successful Wrongful Termination Claim?

The odds of having a successful wrongful termination claim depend entirely on the specific case, the evidence you have supporting the claim, and whether you hire a wrongful termination lawyer.

An attorney can review your case and explain the realistic odds of success so you can make informed choices about whether to file your claim. An attorney also helps you gather evidence like emails, coworker witnesses, and other documentation. They also protect your rights.

In California, What Qualifies for Wrongful Termination?

Wrongful termination in California happens when an employer fires an employee for any illegal reason. This includes a discriminatory firing, termination as retaliation for taking a protected action, or a firing that violates the employment contract. While an employer does not have to have a reason to terminate an employee as long as it is not illegal. An employee has the grounds for a wrongful termination claim if they can prove it was on an illegal basis.

Is It Worth It to File a Claim for Wrongful Termination?

It can be worth filing a claim for wrongful termination, as it can lead to reinstatement in your job and/or recovery of back pay and other financial losses from the termination. When you’ve been fired for an illegal reason, you deserve justice. A claim can provide you with financial compensation. Filing a claim is often easier and more likely to succeed with an experienced wrongful termination lawyer, who can also explain what you could recover in the claim.

How Much Is My Wrongful Termination Case Worth in California?

The amount of your wrongful termination case in California depends entirely on your case and what losses you suffered. You could recover back pay for the income you should have earned after wrongful termination and the cost of damages you suffered because of the termination. This can include damages like the cost of job searching. In some cases, you can also recover punitive damages for egregious misconduct by an employer.

Hire a Wrongful Termination Lawyer at MM Law

With an experienced wrongful termination lawyer, it is easier to investigate the cause of your termination and gather evidence for your case. An attorney advocates for you and protects your rights. Reach out to Maralle Messrelian at MM Law today for compassionate legal guidance.