How Much Does An Employment Lawyer Cost in California?

California has long recognized the value of employees that help to drive the success of businesses and keep the state’s economy and infrastructure intact. State and federal guidelines help ensure that business practices prevent employers from taking unfair advantage of their employees. Unfortunately, not every employer seeks to instill the same protections and may try to mask illegal practices within legal policies. Employees who are unfamiliar with employment law may not understand that infractions are occurring until it is too late.

Fortunately for employees, employment lawyers are there to help protect against such employers. However, many employees avoid hiring an attorney because they may think they cannot afford one. However, understanding the services of an employment law attorney in Orange County, CA, may help to understand the benefits of their cost.

California Employment Lawyer Cost

Employment law is a vast part of the legal system that covers many different areas. The type of case and the circumstances that you face play a role in the costs of an attorney. The fee structure for the attorney with whom you work may also play a factor in the overall costs that you will pay.

Some attorneys will work on a contingency basis where they will not receive payment unless you win your case. In these instances, they will take a percentage of the damages awarded, which is often around 35%.

Other attorneys may charge by the hour for your case. This includes time spent investigating, preparing, or otherwise working on your case in and out of any formalized legal proceedings. Hourly attorneys may charge between $98 to $450 or more per hour. Generally, the more an attorney costs, the more value they place on their services based on experience and success rate.

Once you review the details of your specific case with your attorney, they will be able to give you a better understanding of the potential fees you may be responsible for. Because of this, it is to your advantage to reveal all the details of your case to your attorney so there are no surprises later that could impact your costs.

Employment Lawyer

An employment lawyer has experience in helping resolve legal disputes between employees and employers. They serve as their client’s legal representative and help their clients to navigate the often complex and confusing legal system. Common types of cases that an employment lawyer can help with include:

• Incidents of harassment or discrimination in the workplace, particularly on the basis of race, gender, ability/disability, sexual orientation, religion, and more
• Hostile work environments as the result of a coworker, boss, client, or other individual at work
• Wage and hour violations such as improper or untimely payments, refusal to provide meal or rest breaks, and failure to pay at separation
• Wrongful termination

Employment attorneys can also help if there are cases involving the denial of benefits or in filing for workers’ compensation.

On the other hand, employers can utilize the services of employment lawyers to help them review company policies and practices to ensure that they are legally compliant. They also help employers with:

• Collective bargaining negotiations with union representatives
• Defending an employer from an employee claim
• Serving as legal representation on any legal matter where the employer is the defendant
• Assist with oversight for large layoffs, terminations, or drastic changes in company benefits

While it may seem appealing to forgo the services of an attorney in order to save money, the benefits of their services as either an employee or an employer can help save time and money in the future or help to recover larger settlement claims.

Impacts on Cost

Generally speaking, the more time an attorney works on your case, the more it will likely cost. This is particularly true for attorneys that charge by the hour as opposed to accepting a contingency fee. However, if you work with an attorney that accepts a contingency, they may not invest as much time into your case along the way as an attorney that charges by the hour.

One major factor that could play a role in costs is also the timing of filing your claim. The sooner you file, the more likely you are to be successful in court. For many cases involving employment law, California has a 2-year statute of limitations.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a Good Lawyer Charge Per Hour?

A: There are no set amounts for attorney fees, but there are some industry guidelines that can help you decide on the strength of your attorney’s value. Generally speaking, the less per hour an attorney costs, the less experience they have. Attorney fees could be as low as $50 per hour for a new attorney, whereas a more experienced or successful attorney could charge upwards of a thousand dollars per hour.

Q: What Is a Retainer Fee for a Lawyer?

A: A retainer fee is different from the fees that you will pay a lawyer for their services. It is the amount paid to an attorney that reserves their services. Most retainer fees will be used to help with the final costs that you may pay, but the attorney you work with will inform you of how much. The final costs incurred could be higher or lower than the total retainer fee.

Q: How Much Can You Sue for Wrongful Termination in California?

A: Cases of wrongful termination each have their own set of circumstances which an employee may be able to seek damages for. You may be able to file a claim against your employer and attempt to recover damages for lost wages, lost benefits, as well as emotional distress caused by the wrongful termination. Your attorney will review the facts of your case and help you understand what you may be entitled to.

Q: What Qualifies As Wrongful Termination in California?

A: California is an “at-will” state which means that an employee or an employer may terminate employment for any reason at any time and without notice. However, the separation must be for legal reasons. If the reason for separation is based on discriminatory or retaliatory practices, then the termination is considered illegal and could result in a wrongful termination claim.

California Employment Lawyers

If you have a question about a practice, policy, or potential violation of employment law, then contact the Law Offices of Corbett H. Williams. Our attorneys can review the facts of your case to help determine what your next steps should be. Employment law can be difficult, but when you work with us, you’ll have the confidence to make the right decisions.