South Gate Employment Attorneys

The trial attorneys of the Akopyan Law Firm A.P.C. stand ready to fight for the rights of the residents of South Gate, regardless of whether they are employees or employers.  If your cause is just and involves employment law, give us a call to see how we can help.

South Gate, California

South Gate is a city in Los Angeles County which is home to nearly 100,000 residents.  It covers approximately seven and a half square miles and is a part of the 90280 zip code. In the summer of 1769, a group of Spanish explorers set out from the coast of San Diego to explore the uncharted territory between San Diego and the Bay of Monterey. With them was Father Juan Crespi, considered by historians to be one of the great diarists of the new world explorations. His daily entries were remarkably revealing of the country through which the caravan passed. They proceeded in the general direction of the San Gabriel Valley, across the Los Angeles River, which Crespi named “Porciuncula” on August 2, 1769. There would be no history of South Gate without including the story of the Lugo Spanish Land Grant. That grant encompassed a great part of what is now the City of South Gate and is a vital and colorful part of this area’s history. Francisco Lugo was a cavalry corporal for the King of Spain and an important figure among the early Spanish settlers of the region. In 1810 the King of Spain granted 11 square leagues to Francisco’s son, Don Antonio Maria Lugo, in appreciation for his father’s service to the crown. This vast estate was known as the Rancho San Antonio land grant. It extended from the low range of hills which separated it from the San Gabriel Valley to the old Dominguez Ranch at its south, and from the eastern boundary of the pueblo of Los Angeles to the San Gabriel River.  A little more than 100 years after the establishment of the Lugo Land Grant, the area at the south gate of the ranch became the City of South Gate.

Before the end of the 1870’s, much of the original land grant had been replaced by 40 acre tracts. By 1880, cattle raising had been replaced by agriculture as the most important local industry. During the years between 1910 and 1940, most of the agricultural land was replaced by homes and factories. Today, with the land divided by freeways, it is not easy to imagine it as a vast plain stretching from the mountains to the sea as it was in those early years. The Tweedy family, headed by R.D. Tweedy, has played an important part in South Gate’s history. Mr. Tweedy was born in 1812 in Illinois, and came to California by ox-drawn cart in 1852. Mrs. Tweedy rode across the prairies perched on her rocking chair in the ox cart. The family was large, and several generations have lived in this city. The family members bought some 2,000 acres of the land on which much of South Gate was built. The “downtown business district” in South Gate was named after the family and is known as the Tweedy Mile.

By the end of 1918, 125 houses had been constructed. The population was estimated at 500. Shade trees and flowers had been planted along the parkways. The community of Southgate Gardens now extended east from Long Beach Boulevard to Otis and south from Santa Ana to Independence and was still growing. The streets of Post, State and Victoria were designated the “business district” and 2 large lots were reserved for a school and a church. The inhabitants had already begun to crystallize into an unincorporated town.  In autumn of 1922, a petition for incorporating the town of South Gate was circulated by I.W. Lampman. On January 20, 1923, the Board of Supervisors formally declared the incorporation of the “City of South Gate.” The years following incorporation in 1923 were boom years. Families were finding contentment in this fertile suburb. Schools and churches were being established. City government, fire and police protection were good. Business and industry were close to home and social, fraternal, and civic outlets for families were soon to be established. A residential and industrial base was established and served as the cornerstone of South Gate, even today.

As early as 1922, several small industrial plants had moved to South Gate. Families moved here and needed employment close to home – businesses, factories and industry soon followed. One of the largest local industries was Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. The factory was built on a 40-acre former bean field. Firestone’s 1st tire rolled off the assembly line on June 15, 1928. Some of the early businesses included the A.R. Maas Chemical Company, founded in 1922 on Ardine, near Independence, and Star Roofing Company, founded in 1934 (now U.S. Gypsum). Weiser Company foundry, formed in 1904, became one of the world’s leading manufacturers of hardware by 1943, with South Gate as the sole manufacturing operation in the United States. In 1936 the General Motors plant went into production in South Gate with 1,000 employees, which soon increased to 4,000. There were 3 makes of cars assembled, Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Buick.

After World War II the city, industry, business, and the people all looked forward to a period of growth and prosperity. In 1945, 20 businessmen organized a Chamber of Commerce for the purpose of promoting the economic welfare and happiness of the community, through the creation of jobs and increase in commercial development.

With offices in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside the Akopyan Law Firm A.P.C. is just minutes away from South Gate. Our employment lawyers stand ready to provide world-class services and top-notch representation to the residents of South Gate.

Are You Looking to Find the Best Employment Lawyer in South Gate?

In the vibrant community of South Gate, residents are presented with a plethora of legal options, thanks to the thriving landscape of lawyers and law firms. Yet, amidst this abundance, finding the right attorney can be a daunting task, especially when faced with a deluge of online advertisements. A simple online search for “employment lawyer South Gate” or “wrongful termination attorney South Gate” often inundates individuals with paid advertisements from lawyers located far and wide. This digital onslaught leaves those seeking legal counsel in a quandary, as it’s challenging to discern an attorney’s true expertise and experience from a mere internet ad. Residents of South Gate deserve legal representation that goes beyond flashy marketing gimmicks. They deserve an attorney who understands the nuances of employment law and has a proven track record of success. Enter the Akopyan Law Firm, A.P.C. Each of our attorneys boasts nearly two decades of experience in the field, setting us apart in the crowded legal landscape. Our commitment to excellence has been demonstrated time and again, as we’ve successfully represented both employees and employers.  Our unique approach emphasizes quality over quantity. While others may seek to cast a wide net, we focus on delivering top-notch legal services tailored to your specific needs. We understand that the community of South Gate values substance over style. With offices just minutes away from South Gate, we’re not just another law firm; we’re an integral part of the community. We comprehend the local dynamics and challenges, allowing us to provide legal solutions that align seamlessly with the unique needs of South Gate residents. So, when the need for legal counsel arises in South Gate, turn to the Akopyan Law Firm, A.P.C. We’re here to offer legal representation that transcends online advertisements, delivering the quality and experience that you deserve. Contact us today to experience the difference.

Our Law Firm Stands Ready To Help South Gate Residents With:

Featured Employment Case

Bradley v. Dep’t of Corr. & Rehab., 158 Cal. App. 4th 1612 (2008)

In this case the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (formerly the California Department of Corrections) (hereafter CDC) argued that Sallie Mae Bradley, an individual temporarily working at a California prison as a licensed clinical social worker and placed at the prison pursuant to a contract with the National Medical Registry, is not entitled to the protections afforded by California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Government Code section 12940 et seq. In the published portion of its opinion, the Court concluded that Bradley wasan employee within the meaning of the FEHA, even though she is not an official employee of the state for civil service and benefit purposes. The court also held that, regardless of the size of the state bureaucracy and the due process protections given state employees, CDC had a duty to act immediately to stop the sexual harassment directed at Bradley by a coworker and to ensure that no further harassment occurred.  Referring the matter to a lengthy and complicated investigative process alone is insufficient to comply with the protections mandated by the FEHA when continued contact with the harasser leads to further harassment. In the unpublished portion of the opinion, the Court concluded there is sufficient evidence to support the jury’s conclusions that Bradley was subject to a hostile work environment and to support the jury’s award of damages for lost earnings and emotional distress. The appellate court also rejected CDC’s claim that the trial court erred in admitting evidence that CDC knew the harasser had a criminal history when it hired him, that the harasser made threats against the prison administration, and that the harasser was given a merit increase shortly after Bradley was terminated. The Court also set aside the trial court’s grant of judgment notwithstanding the verdict and reinstate the jury’s verdict and damage award on the retaliation cause of action.