Minimum Wage Lawyers for Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura Counties

What Does a Minimum Wage Lawyer Do?

A minimum wage lawyer provides legal advice and guidance to both employers and employees regarding minimum wage laws and regulations. They can help interpret applicable laws and ensure compliance. They assist employers in understanding and implementing minimum wage laws, including advising on wage rates, overtime calculations, and other relevant factors. In cases of minimum wage violations, a lawyer can represent employees or employers in legal proceedings. This may involve filing lawsuits, negotiating settlements, or representing clients in court trials, jury trials, or arbitrations.

Minimum wage lawyers may review employment contracts and agreements to ensure compliance with the law. This includes assessing wage provisions, overtime policies, and payment structures. They can also help resolve disputes related to minimum wage through negotiation, mediation, trial, or arbitration. They work to reach fair and equitable solutions for all parties involved.

Guiding You Through the Complexities of Minimum Wage Laws

Traditionally it was not difficult for employees to figure out what is the minimum wage their employer must pay. However, because minimum wage laws have developed on both a national, state, and local level, and because these laws change frequently, it is not always easy for employees in California to readily determine the applicable minimum wage.

For example, a non-exempt employee working in the City of Los Angeles in August of 2020 would potentially receive protection from several minimum laws. The Federal Labor Standards Act – the federal law governing the payment of wages – would have required the employer to pay a minimum hourly wage of $7.25. The California Labor Code – the state law governing the payment of wages – would have required the employer to pay a minimum hourly wage of $12.00 if the employer employs 25 or fewer employees, and a minimum hourly wage of $13.00 if the employer employs 26 or more employees. If the employee was a qualified employee in the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles City Living Wage Ordinance would have required the employer to pay a minimum hourly wage of $15.00.

Needless to say, figuring out which of these minimum wage requirements are applicable to a given situation is not always easy. Each law comes with its own set of requirements, exemptions, and exceptions.

Enforcing Employee Rights to Minimum Wage

Wage and hour laws have many nuances. Minimum wage law is not “one size fits all.” The minimum wage due an employee may be calculated by determining: (1) the statutory minimum wage; (2) whether any subminimum wage provisions apply; (3) whether any credits apply; and (4) whether the employee is entitled to a split-shift premium. Therefore, if you feel your rights may have been violated and need to speak with a minimum wage lawyer in Burbank, Orange, or Riverside, Akopyan Law Firm A.P.C. can help with your specific situation. We have years of experience in all facets of employment law and are dedicated to getting you the justice you deserve. Contact us today for a complimentary case evaluation.

Personal Attention from a Minimum Wage Lawyer for Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura

If you are in Southern California, you can try to find a lawyer by using search terms like “best minimum wage lawyer Los Angeles” or “minimum wage attorney Los Angeles” or “best minimum lawyer near me” but you might end up speaking with a receptionist and not getting a call back from an actual attorney. To speak directly with a minimum wage lawyer personally, contact us today, and speak to one of our minimum wage attorneys in Burbank, Orange, or Riverside.

The minimum wage lawyers from Akopyan Law Firm, A.P.C. have experience in cases involving minimum wage violations. If you believe that your right to minimum wage has been violated, call us today for your complimentary case evaluation. Our minimum wage lawyers for Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura can fight to recover wages you are owed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Minimum Wage

What is the minimum wage in California?

As noted above, the minimum wage laws are constantly changing.  The minimum wage rate in California in 2023 was $15.50 per hour for all employers. The minimum wage increased to $16 per hour on January 1, 2024.  The applicable minimum wage changes frequently. Depending on the city the employee works in, he or she may be entitled to a higher minimum wage rate. For example, in the City of Los Angeles, on July 1, 2023, the minimum wage rate became $16.78 which was obviously higher than the state minimum wage rate. The minimum wage rate may also be different for specific industries.  For example, Assembly Bill 1228 establishes the Fast Food Council, which will work on setting minimum wages, working hours, and other working conditions for fast-food restaurants. The minimum wage for fast-food employees will increase to $20 per hour on April 1, 2024, with potential further increases starting in 2025.Similarly Senate Bill 525 sets forth different minimum wage schedules for various healthcare employees depending on the nature of the employer. Minimum wage increases will begin on June 1, 2024, affecting a broad range of healthcare facilities. Suffice it to say that the law is constantly changing and evolving, so you should contact an employment law attorney in Burbank, Orange, or Riverside to discuss your specific situation. We offer complimentary case evaluations.

Can I be forced to work for less than the minimum wage in California?

Generally, nonexempt employees cannot be paid less than minimum wage. However, the quickest way to determine whether any minimum wage requirements have been violated is to contact a minimum wage attorney.

What if I get paid tips too? Can my boss use that amount as credit toward the minimum wages?

Generally, no. Whether you work at a restaurant, hair salon, nail salon, car wash, or any other business where tips are given, your employer cannot use your tips as a credit toward its obligation to pay you the minimum wage.

What if my employer retaliated against me because I questioned him about not being paid the minimum wage?

If your employer discriminates or retaliates against you (such as by terminating or demoting you) because you questioned them about not being paid the minimum wage or because you filed or threatened to file a claim with the Labor Commissioner, then you can file a discrimination and retaliation lawsuit.

Featured Wage Case:

Oxbow Carbon & Mins., LLC v. Dep’t of Indus. Rels., (2011) 194 Cal. App. 4th 538

Oxbow was a case involving prevailing wage law.  However, the Court’s opinion includes an important discussion regarding wage law in general, including minimum wage. Oxbow Carbon & Minerals, LLC (Oxbow) appealed a determination by the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) that construction of a petroleum coke storage facility at Pier G in the City of Long Beach was a public work subject to prevailing wage requirements. The DIR’s determination was based on its finding that the enclosure of the storage facility and the construction of conveyors to transport coke within the facility were a single, integrated public works project. Oxbow argued that the enclosure work was private because it was not funded by public funds and was not essential to the operation of the conveyors. The Court of Appeal affirmed the DIR’s determination, holding that the enclosure work was a public work because it was necessary to comply with South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) rule 1158, which required that coke be stored in enclosed facilities. The court also held that the enclosure work was funded by public funds because Long Beach reimbursed Oxbow for the cost of the roof. Finally, the court held that the enclosure work was essential to the operation of the conveyors because it prevented the release of coke dust into the environment.

The Court’s opinion explained as follows: The purpose of California’s prevailing wage law is to protect and benefit employees on public works projects. The Legislature has declared that it is the public policy of California ‘to vigorously enforce minimum labor standards in order to ensure employees are not required or permitted to work under substandard unlawful conditions, and to protect employers who comply with the law from those who attempt to gain competitive advantage at the expense of their workers by failing to comply with minimum labor standards. The conditions of employment on construction projects financed in whole or in part by public funds are governed by the prevailing wage law.” The coverage of the prevailing wage law is broad, and a number of specific goals are subsumed within its objective: “to protect employees from substandard wages that might be paid if contractors could recruit labor from distant cheap-labor areas; to permit union contractors to compete with nonunion contractors; to benefit the public through the superior efficiency of well-paid employees; and to compensate nonpublic employees with higher wages for the absence of job security and employment benefits enjoyed by public employees. The law “was enacted to protect and benefit workers and the public and is to be liberally construed.”

Contact our minimum wage lawyers to discuss your case. Call (818) 509-9975 today.

Contact Us When You Need Minimum Wage Lawyers for Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, or Ventura Counties

Call us today at (818) 509-9975 or contact us online to schedule a complimentary case evaluation. We have extensive experience in all aspects of employment law, including constructive discharge cases.

Areas Served

The litigation and trial attorneys of the Akopyan Law Firm, A.P.C. provide services throughout Southern California including but not limited to AdelantoAgoura HillsAlhambraAliso ViejoAltadenaAnaheimApple ValleyArcadiaArletaAtwater VillageAzuzaBakersfieldBaldwin ParkBanningBeaumontBellBell GardensBellflowerBeverly HillsBlytheBoyle HeightsBreaBrentwoodBuena ParkBurbankCalabasasCalimesaCamarilloCanoga ParkCanyon LakeCarsonCathedral CityCerritosChatsworthChino HillsChinoClaremontCoachellaColtonComptonCosta MesaCoronaCovinaCulver CityCypressDana PointDesert Hot SpringsDiamond BarDowneyDuarteEagle RockEast HollywoodEast Los AngelesEastvaleEcho ParkEl MonteEl SegundoEl SerenoEncinoFontanaFountain ValleyFullertonGardenaGarden GroveGlassell ParkGlendaleGlendoraGranada HillsHacienda HeightsHawthorneHemetHesperiaHighland ParkHighlandHollywoodHollywood HillsHuntington BeachHuntington ParkIndian WellsIndioInglewoodIrvineJurupa ValleyLa Canada FlintridgeLa-Crescenta MontroseLa HabraLa MiradaLa PalmaLa PuenteLa QuintaLa VerneLaguna BeachLaguna HillsLaguna NiguelLaguna WoodsLakewoodLake BalboaLake ElsinoreLake ForestLancasterLawndaleLincoln HeightsLoma LindaLong BeachLos AlamitosLos AngelesLos FelizLynwoodManhattan BeachMar VistaMaywoodMenifeeMission HillsMission ViejoMonroviaMontclairMontebelloMonterey ParkMoorparkMoreno ValleyMurrietaNewbury ParkNewhallNewport BeachNorcoNorth HillsNorth HollywoodNorthridgeNorwalkOntarioOrangeOxnardPacific PalisadesPacoimaPalos VerdesPalmdalePalm DesertPalm SpringsPanorama CityParamountPasadenaPerrisPico RiveraPlacentiaPomonaPorter RanchRancho CucamongaRancho MirageRancho Santa MargaritaRedondo BeachResedaRialtoRiversideRosemeadRowland HeightsSan BernardinoSan ClementeSan DimasSan GabrielSan FernandoSan JacintoSan Juan CapistranoSan PedroSanta AnaSanta ClaritaSanta MonicaSawtelleSeal BeachShadow HillsSherman OaksSilver LakeSimi ValleySouth El MonteSouth GateSouth PasadenaSouth WhittierStantonStudio CitySun ValleySunlandSylmarTarzanaTemeculaTemple CityThousand OaksToluca LakeTorranceTujungaTustinTwentynine PalmsUplandValenciaValley GlenValley VillageVan NuysVenturaVictorvilleWalnutWest CovinaWest HillsWest HollywoodWest Puente Valley, WestchesterWestminsterWestwoodWhittierWildomarWinnetkaWoodland HillsYorba Linda