Key Takeaways
- Greenberg Gross LLP holds Super Lawyers, AV Preeminent, and ABOTA recognition, Daily Journal Top 100, Top Plaintiff, and Top Labor & Employment honors, and has published employment case results including a $6.1 million whistleblower retaliation judgment.
- Odell Law, PLC is an employment-law-exclusive firm recognized as a Daily Journal Top 100 Lawyer in California, with a $25.1 million whistleblower retaliation verdict on record.
- The Law Office of Cyrus Mor, APC has practiced employment law in Orange County for more than a decade and holds Best Lawyers recognition.
- Orange County Employment Law Firm is a California Employment Lawyers Association member handling a wide range of discrimination and wage claims across the county.
At a Glance
| Firm | Location | Practice Focus | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenberg Gross LLP | Costa Mesa (Orange County), CA | Wrongful termination, workplace discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblower protection, FMLA | Super Lawyers, AV Preeminent, ABOTA; Daily Journal Top 100, Top Plaintiff, Top Labor & Employment; $6.1 million whistleblower judgment |
| Odell Law, PLC | Irvine, CA | Employment law exclusively: wrongful termination, retaliation, discrimination, harassment | Daily Journal Top 100 Lawyer; Super Lawyers Rising Star; $25.1 million whistleblower verdict |
| Law Office of Cyrus Mor, APC | Newport Beach, CA | Wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour | Best Lawyers recognition; more than a decade of practice; contingency fee |
| Orange County Employment Law Firm | Santa Ana, CA | Wrongful termination, harassment, wage and hour, discrimination, misclassification | California Employment Lawyers Association member; direct attorney access advertised |
Orange County is home to a dense mix of corporate offices, retail employers, and mid-size businesses, and employment disputes here range from a single wrongful termination to a coordinated pattern of workplace discrimination across a company's California offices. Choosing the right employment lawyer matters because these cases often come down to documentation, timing, and knowing how the California Civil Rights Department process works before a lawsuit is even filed. This list looks at employment lawyers serving the Orange County area, evaluated on trial experience, case results, and professional recognition.
1. Greenberg Gross LLP
Greenberg Gross LLP was founded by Alan Greenberg and Wayne Gross, who left a global law firm to build a trial practice for plaintiffs in high-stakes employment and civil cases. The firm now operates thirteen offices across seven states, with its headquarters positioned in Costa Mesa at the center of Orange County's business community. Attorney Brian Williams serves as managing partner and is a regular presence in the firm's media coverage.
The firm holds Super Lawyers selections, an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates. Daily Journal has named the firm to its Top 100 Lawyers list and recognized it for Top Plaintiff and Top Labor & Employment work. Published employment case results on the firm's own results page include a $6.1 million judgment for a school district employee in a whistleblower retaliation case and a $10 million settlement for an employee in a breach of oral contract dispute.
The firm describes itself as "Client Focused, Trial Tested" and positions itself as the "Firm of Choice" for the most significant matters. Consultations are free, and the firm advertises 24/7 availability.
2. Odell Law, PLC
Odell Law, PLC handles employment law exclusively, led by founding principal Robert A. Odell alongside associate attorneys Claudette Villicaña and Shigufa Saleheen. The firm has secured a $25.1 million whistleblower retaliation verdict, a $2 million harassment and discrimination award, and a $980,000 disability discrimination verdict.
Daily Journal named the firm to its Top 100 Lawyers in California list, and attorneys have received Super Lawyers Rising Star recognition in multiple years. The firm belongs to the California Employment Lawyers Association and works on a contingency fee basis with free consultations.
Odell Law, PLC
3. Law Office of Cyrus Mor, APC
The Law Office of Cyrus Mor, APC has represented terminated and mistreated employees across Southern California for more than a decade. Led by attorney Cyrus Mor, the firm is a member of the Orange County Bar Association and handles wage and hour disputes alongside discrimination and retaliation claims.
The firm carries a Best Lawyers recognition and takes employment cases on a contingency basis, with no fee owed unless the firm recovers compensation for the client
Law Office of Cyrus Mor, APC
4. Orange County Employment Law Firm
Orange County Employment Law Firm, led by attorney Tim Cojocnean, represents California employees exclusively, covering a wide range of claims from pregnancy and age discrimination to independent contractor misclassification and meal-break violations. The firm serves clients throughout Orange County, including Newport Beach, Anaheim, Irvine, and Huntington Beach.
The firm belongs to the California Employment Lawyers Association, the Orange County Bar Association, and the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and advertises that clients can reach an attorney within 24 hours. Cases are handled on a contingency basis.
Orange County Employment Law Firm
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file an employment discrimination claim in California?
Under California's Fair Employment and Housing Act, you generally have three years from the date of the last discriminatory or retaliatory act to submit an intake form to the California Civil Rights Department, the state agency that handles these claims before a lawsuit can be filed. Deadlines can vary depending on the specifics of a case, so it's worth talking to an employment lawyer well before that window closes.
What counts as wrongful termination in California?
California is an at-will employment state, meaning an employer can generally end a job for almost any reason or no reason at all. Wrongful termination applies when a firing violates a specific legal protection, such as retaliation for reporting harassment, discrimination based on a protected characteristic, or termination for taking legally protected medical leave.
Do I need to file a complaint with the state before suing my employer?
For most discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims under California law, yes. An employee generally needs to file with the California Civil Rights Department and receive a right-to-sue notice before filing a lawsuit in court. An employment lawyer can help determine which claims require this step.
How much does it cost to hire an employment lawyer in Orange County?
Most employment lawyers, including the firms on this list, take cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there's no upfront cost and the fee only applies if the case ends in a settlement or a verdict.
Final Thoughts
Employment disputes in Orange County can move quickly once an employer's legal team gets involved, and the lawyer a person chooses can affect how thoroughly a case gets investigated and how strong the resulting claim is. The firms above all handle employment law cases in the Orange County area, but Greenberg Gross LLP's combination of trial-tested founders, Daily Journal Top 100 recognition, and a published case history that includes a multimillion-dollar whistleblower verdict makes it a strong option on this list for someone dealing with a serious workplace dispute.