Livermore Race Discrimination Lawyer

Why Choose Valerian Law, P.C.?

Valerian Law, P.C., has stood up for employee rights for over 50 years. Our team provides legal guidance and advocacy, so you can have the resources you need throughout a race discrimination case. We seek to empower you through knowledge of your employee and civil rights, and you can feel confident in having steadfast advocacy from a skilled Livermore race discrimination attorney.

Recognizing Race Discrimination at Work

Unfortunately, race discrimination is common, with 41% of Black workers, 25% of Asian workers, and 20% of Hispanic workers reporting that they have experienced discrimination. Whether you work for a top employer, such as the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory or Stanford Health Care, or for a smaller business, racial discrimination can have a huge effect on your work and personal life.

In general, race discrimination involves experiencing unfair treatment or harassment because of your race. Common examples of this include:

• An employer making hiring decisions based on an employee’s or applicant’s race
• An employer making promotion, pay, scheduling, demotion, or firing decisions based on an employee’s race
• Unequal compensation based on race rather than job duties or performance
• Verbal harassment, such as offensive jokes, racial slurs, or other unwanted comments

What to Know About Filing a Race Discrimination Claim

Many race discrimination claims are filed through the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), which handles cases involving violations of the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). FEHA covers employers with five or more employees, and it prohibits discriminatory practices and discrimination based on race. In 2024, the CRD received 7,655 employment complaints based on race.

However, some claims must be filed through the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC enforces federal laws, which provide similar protections as the FEHA. However, the EEOC enforces laws that apply to employers with at least 15 or 20 employees.

Both the CRD and EEOC have unique filing deadlines and procedures. For this reason, you should hire a race discrimination lawyer early in your case, as they can explain what you need to do next.

Why You Should Hire a Race Discrimination Lawyer

A Livermore race discrimination lawyer can help you file a powerful claim so you can move forward after a race discrimination case. A lawyer can aid you throughout every stage of the process, from investigating the case, building a claim, negotiating with your employer, and possibly even going to court.

Some of the ways in which a lawyer can benefit you during this process include:

• Navigating complex procedures. Filing an employment discrimination claim can be confusing, as several race discrimination laws may apply. A lawyer can identify the law your employer violated and explain what the filing process involves.
• Gathering evidence. A lawyer can gather and organize evidence to prove your employer’s misconduct. This can mean interviewing witnesses, collecting employment records, or even obtaining company hiring records that you couldn’t otherwise access.
• Calculating damages. Your lawyer can work tirelessly to pursue a fair recovery for your case. They can include all damages you have suffered in your claim, including back pay, front pay, emotional distress, and punitive damages.
• Protecting you from retaliation. It is illegal to retaliate against an employee for reporting race discrimination or filing a race discrimination claim. Despite this, many employees suffer negative treatment, such as demotions, firing, or poor treatment. A lawyer can work to prevent retaliation or file a retaliation claim against them.
• Providing emotional support. Experiencing racial discrimination is already difficult, but filing a claim may seem like it will add additional stress to the situation. A lawyer can manage the legal process to avoid stress while also providing the personal support you need.