Severance and Contracts Attorneys Serving San Marino
Protecting San Marino workers' rights. No attorney's fees or case costs unless we win.
What happens if your employer offers a severance package in San Marino?
When an employer in San Marino offers a severance package, it often comes with a release of your legal claims against them. This means you would give up your right to sue the company for issues like wrongful termination, discrimination, or unpaid wages in exchange for the severance pay. Before you sign anything, you should understand exactly what rights you are giving up and if the proposed payment truly compensates you for that.
Many employees find themselves suddenly without a job or are asked to sign documents that impact their future. These documents might be an employment contract, a non-compete agreement, or a severance agreement. These agreements can have significant legal implications for your career and your financial well-being. Getting legal advice helps you understand your rights and obligations, ensuring you do not sign away important protections or accept less than you are owed. This is particularly true in situations where an employer is letting you go and asks you to sign a release of claims.
What kinds of employment contract and severance issues do we help with?
Our firm focuses on California employment law, including various contract and severance issues that affect workers in San Marino. We help people understand complex legal documents, negotiate terms, and assert their rights. For example, some employers try to enforce non-compete clauses that are generally illegal in California, or they might offer severance that is far below what an employee might be entitled to if they had a legal claim.
We assist with reviewing employment agreements, which can cover everything from salary and benefits to intellectual property and termination clauses. We also handle severance agreements, which define the terms of your departure from a company. If you are facing issues with wage and hour disputes, workplace discrimination, or retaliation, these often intersect with the terms of your employment contract or a severance offer. Our team also works with executive and professional employment issues, which frequently involve highly negotiated contracts and significant severance packages. Our core focus is on employment law, and we frequently assist clients with these types of agreements. We also help individuals in nearby communities like Agoura Hills and Bellflower with similar employment challenges.
Where does an employment lawsuit originating in San Marino get filed?
An employment lawsuit for an incident in San Marino is filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. Under Local Rule 2.3 and the General Order effective May 17, 2024, a personal injury case (which many employment claims are processed similarly to) originating in San Marino would be assigned to the Northeast District, which uses the Pasadena Courthouse located at 300 E Walnut St, Pasadena, CA 91101. While San Marino is a city in Los Angeles County, the specific courthouse depends on the judicial district where the incident occurred.
California law requires lawsuits to be filed in the proper court. This is known as venue. For employment claims, the venue is typically where the employer's principal place of business is located, where the employee worked, or where the harm occurred. Correctly identifying the filing court and following local rules is important for any lawsuit.
How long do you have to file a claim for contract and severance issues in California?
Most California employment claims, including those related to contract breaches or severance agreements, must be filed within two years (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1). However, certain types of employment claims have different deadlines. For example, wage claims can have a three- or four-year statute of limitations depending on the type of wage claim. If your claim involves a public entity, like a city, county, or state agency, you must present a written claim to that entity within six months of the incident (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2). Deadlines have exceptions and must be confirmed with an attorney for your own facts.
California law allows recovery for medical costs, lost earnings, and non-economic harm in many employment cases. For example, if you were unlawfully terminated and lost your job, you may be able to recover your lost wages and benefits. The deadline is generally paused while an injured person is a minor (CCP § 352), but that pause does not apply to claims against public entities under the Government Claims Act.
What should you do after an employer offers you a severance package or contract?
If your employer in San Marino offers you a severance package or presents a new contract, taking specific steps can protect your rights:
Do not sign immediately: Most severance agreements include a period for review, often 21 days for employees over 40. Take this time to seek legal advice.
Collect all relevant documents: Gather your employment contract, any performance reviews, correspondence about your employment, and the proposed severance or new agreement.
Document everything: Keep a record of any conversations about your employment or the agreement, including dates, times, and who was present.
Seek legal counsel: An employment attorney can review the document, explain its terms, identify any potential legal claims you might have, and help you negotiate for better terms.
Understand the implications: Ensure you know what rights you might be waiving by signing the document, such as the right to sue for wrongful termination or discrimination.
What does working with Casa Legal Los Angeles involve?
Working with Casa Legal Los Angeles means you will have an experienced team on your side, focused on protecting your rights as an employee. We begin by listening to your story and carefully reviewing the documents and facts related to your situation. This initial assessment helps us understand your potential claims and the best course of action. For example, if you are concerned about retaliation or whistleblowing in San Marino, we can assess if those claims could strengthen your negotiation position.
Our approach is tailored to your specific needs, whether that involves negotiating a severance agreement, reviewing an employment contract, or pursuing a lawsuit. We explain the legal process in plain language, keeping you informed every step of the way. We aim to achieve the best possible outcome for you, whether through negotiation or litigation. Our firm handles employment law matters throughout Los Angeles County, including places like Carson and Alhambra.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a severance package?
A severance package is an agreement offered by an employer to an employee whose employment is ending, typically in exchange for the employee signing a release of all legal claims against the company. These packages usually include a financial payment, continued benefits for a period, and other considerations like outplacement services.
Can an employer force me to sign a severance agreement?
No, an employer cannot force you to sign a severance agreement. Signing is entirely voluntary. However, if you choose not to sign, you typically will not receive the severance benefits offered. You should understand what you are giving up if you sign and what you stand to lose if you do not.
Do I need an attorney to review an employment contract in San Marino?
An attorney can provide valuable insights into the terms and conditions of an employment contract, especially for workers in San Marino. Many contracts contain complex legal language, non-compete clauses, or other provisions that could significantly impact your career. An attorney can explain these terms and help you negotiate for more favorable conditions or identify clauses that might be illegal under California law.
What happens if I have an employment claim against a public entity in Los Angeles County?
If your employment claim is against a public entity in Los Angeles County, such as the city of San Marino, the county itself, or a school district, a different set of rules applies. You must present a formal written claim to the public entity within six months of the incident under California Government Code § 911.2. Failure to meet this deadline can result in the permanent loss of your right to sue, even if your underlying claim is strong.
Do not sign away your rights or accept less than you deserve without understanding your options. Contact Casa Legal Los Angeles for a consultation. Call us at 888-585-2529. No attorney's fees unless we win — and no case costs either.
Serving San Marino
Our attorneys represent clients throughout San Marino and the greater Los Angeles area.
Where a San Marino claim is filed
A personal injury claim arising in San Marino is filed in Pasadena Courthouse, Northeast District of the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.
In Los Angeles County a personal injury case is filed in the judicial district where the incident occurred and is assigned to that district's Personal Injury Hub department (LASC Local Rule 2.3; General Order re Assignment and Transfer of Personal Injury Cases, effective May 17, 2024).
Catchment boundaries change. Confirm the filing courthouse on the court's official locator before relying on it.
Source: Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles — Local Rules, Chapter 2 (verified August 23, 2026).
Deadlines that apply in San Marino
The California filing deadlines that apply to an incident in San Marino (Los Angeles County) come from state statute, not a local rule. These are the deadlines cited most often.
2 years — personal injury lawsuit
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 — two years from the date of injury for most personal injury and wrongful death claims.
6 months — claim against a public entity
Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2 — a written claim must be presented to the public entity within six months for claims involving death or injury to person or personal property, before a lawsuit may be filed.
Injured minors
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 352 — the limitations period is generally tolled while the injured person is a minor, but the six-month government claim deadline is not tolled the same way.
This is general information about California law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Deadlines change with the facts and with who the defendant is — a claim against a city, county, transit agency, or the state triggers a much shorter deadline, and delayed discovery, tolling, and other exceptions apply. Casa Legal Los Angeles is licensed to practice in California. Confirm any deadline with an attorney.
Sources: California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1; California Government Code § 911.2 (verified August 23, 2026).