Severance and Contracts Attorneys Serving South Pasadena
Protecting South Pasadena workers' rights. No attorney's fees or case costs unless we win.
What if your employer offers you a severance package in South Pasadena?
When an employer in South Pasadena offers a severance package, it means they want you to sign away certain rights in exchange for payment. Accepting a severance offer without understanding its terms can cost you significant future claims or benefits.
An employer provides a severance agreement to protect their interests, not necessarily yours. Severance agreements often contain complex legal language, including waivers of claims, non-compete clauses, non-solicitation clauses, and confidentiality requirements. These agreements usually state that by signing, you give up your right to sue the company for various employment-related issues. Before you sign anything, review the agreement with an attorney to understand what you are giving up and if the offer is fair for what you lose.
Where do South Pasadena severance claims get filed?
Employment law cases in South Pasadena are generally filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. Most cases are assigned to the Pasadena Courthouse, located at 300 E Walnut St, Pasadena, CA 91101. In Los Angeles County, an employment law case is filed in the judicial district where the issue occurred and is assigned to that district's relevant department (LASC Local Rule 2.3; General Order re Assignment and Transfer of Personal Injury Cases, effective May 17, 2024).
How much time do you have to review a severance offer or dispute a contract?
The time you have to act depends on the specific circumstances of your employment dispute. For many employment-related claims, California law sets various deadlines. Most personal injury claims, for example, must be filed within two years (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1), but a claim against a city, county, or public agency, like a transit provider, must be presented within six months (Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2).
Severance agreements themselves often include a specific deadline for you to accept the offer, sometimes as short as a few days or weeks. Federal law also gives you 21 days to consider a severance offer if you are over 40 and includes a 7-day revocation period after signing, but many employees waive this for immediate payment. Missing any of these deadlines can permanently prevent you from pursuing your rights or receiving the compensation you deserve. An attorney can help determine the exact deadlines that apply to your situation.
What should you do after receiving a severance offer?
Taking specific steps after receiving a severance offer can protect your rights and improve your position.
Do Not Sign Immediately: Do not feel pressured to sign the agreement on the spot. You have a right to review it and seek legal advice.
Review the Document: Read the entire severance agreement carefully. Note any clauses you do not understand or that seem unfair.
Gather Employment Documents: Collect all relevant employment documents, including your original employment contract, performance reviews, disciplinary records, and any communication related to your termination. This information helps an attorney understand your full employment history.
Calculate Your Damages: Consider what you might lose by signing the agreement, such as unpaid wages, benefits, potential bonuses, or stock options. Also, consider any potential claims you might have against the employer, like wrongful termination or discrimination.
Consult an Attorney: Seek legal advice from an attorney who practices employment law. We handle cases for people throughout Los Angeles County, including those in Alhambra and Agoura Hills.
Understand Who Pays for What: If you accept a severance package, clarify when and how you will receive the payments and if they are subject to taxes. Also confirm what happens to your benefits, like health insurance and retirement plans.
What types of severance and contract cases do we handle in South Pasadena?
We help employees in South Pasadena understand and enforce their rights regarding employment contracts and severance agreements.
Severance Agreement Review and Negotiation: We review severance offers, explain their legal implications, and negotiate for better terms, including increased compensation or removal of restrictive clauses.
Employment Contract Disputes: We represent employees in disputes arising from employment contracts, such as breaches of contract, disputes over compensation, or issues related to non-compete or non-solicitation agreements.
Wrongful Termination Claims: If your termination was illegal—for reasons like discrimination, retaliation, or breach of contract—we evaluate potential wrongful termination claims that may be waived by a severance agreement. Our firm also assists employees with retaliation claims in South Pasadena.
Whistleblower Protection: We advise employees who have reported illegal or unethical conduct and face retaliation, ensuring their rights under whistleblower laws are protected.
Executive Employment Agreements: For executives and professionals, we assist with drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex employment agreements, compensation packages, and change-of-control provisions. Find more information on our employment law practice page, or for tailored advice, see our page on executive employment issues in South Pasadena.
What does working with Casa Legal Los Angeles involve?
Working with our firm starts with a detailed review of your specific situation. We listen to your story, examine your employment documents, and discuss your goals. We then provide a clear explanation of your legal options and potential outcomes. Our firm believes in direct communication and will keep you informed at every stage of your case. We manage all legal procedures, deadlines, and communications with your employer or their legal team.
Our primary goal is to achieve the best possible resolution for you, whether through negotiation, mediation, or litigation. We work to secure fair compensation and protect your future career prospects. Our firm is committed to protecting workers' rights throughout Los Angeles, including those in South Pasadena. Our firm also assists clients in Bellflower and Carson.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does signing a severance agreement mean I give up all my rights?
Signing a severance agreement typically means you give up your right to sue your employer for most claims arising out of your employment or termination. However, federal law protects certain rights, like the right to file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or participate in an EEOC investigation. An attorney can identify which rights you retain and which you waive.
How much time do I have to review a severance package in South Pasadena?
The time to review a severance package varies, but employers often give several days or weeks. If you are over 40, federal law gives you at least 21 days to consider the offer and an additional 7 days to revoke it after signing. It is wise to use this time to consult with an employment attorney to understand the terms and negotiate if necessary.
Can a severance agreement include a non-compete clause in California?
In California, non-compete clauses are generally unenforceable (Bus. & Prof. Code § 16600). This means an employer cannot legally prevent you from working for a competitor or starting a competing business after you leave. However, severance agreements may still include these clauses. It is crucial to have an attorney review the agreement to ensure no unenforceable restrictions impact your future employment.
What if I believe my termination was wrongful or discriminatory in Los Angeles County?
If you believe your termination was wrongful or discriminatory, you may have legal claims against your employer. Signing a severance agreement can waive these claims, so you should discuss your situation with an attorney before signing. An attorney can assess the strength of your potential claims and help you decide whether to negotiate a better severance package or pursue a separate lawsuit.
If you have received a severance offer or have questions about an employment contract in South Pasadena, contact Casa Legal Los Angeles at 888-585-2529. No attorney's fees unless we win — and no case costs either.
Serving South Pasadena
Our attorneys represent clients throughout South Pasadena and the greater Los Angeles area.
Where a South Pasadena claim is filed
A personal injury claim arising in South Pasadena 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 South Pasadena
The California filing deadlines that apply to an incident in South Pasadena (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).