The Employment Law Landscape in Encino
Workplace sexual harassment takes two legal forms: quid pro quo (a supervisor conditions a job benefit on sexual conduct) and hostile work environment (unwelcome conduct based on sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or pregnancy that is severe or pervasive). California's standard is lower than the federal standard and broader in coverage.
- Healthcare. A common setting for harassment claims in Encino.
- Construction. A common setting for harassment claims in Encino.
- Retail and restaurant. A common setting for harassment claims in Encino.
- Entertainment/production. A common setting for harassment claims in Encino.
What We See in Encino
- US-101 crashes in Encino peak between 6-9 PM per UC Berkeley TIMS data - later than most LA corridors - due to entertainment industry work schedules sending late-leaving commuters onto the freeway
- Encino Hospital Medical Center is the designated trauma center for crash victims from the 101 and 405 in this stretch of the Valley
What a Encino Sexual Harassment Lawyer Recovers For You
- Back Pay and Benefits: Wages and benefits lost from the harassment, demotion, or constructive discharge through trial.
- Front Pay or Reinstatement: When returning to the workplace is not feasible, future lost earnings replace reinstatement.
- Emotional Distress: Uncapped damages for anxiety, depression, PTSD, and the personal impact of the harassment.
- Punitive Damages: Available against the employer and the individual harasser when conduct involved malice, oppression, or fraud.
- Attorney's Fees and Costs: Mandatory under FEHA for prevailing employees, paid by the employer in addition to your damages.
Where Encino Cases Are Filed
FEHA cases for Encino workers are generally filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court at Stanley Mosk Courthouse (111 N Hill St). Before filing in court, the employee must obtain a Right-to-Sue notice from California's Civil Rights Department. The administrative deadline is three years from the most recent harassing act; the civil case deadline is one year from the Right-to-Sue.
Local courthouse: Van Nuys Courthouse West, 14400 Erwin Street Mall, Van Nuys, CA 91401. Northwest Judicial District - misdemeanor criminal, traffic, limited civil for Encino and surrounding San Fernando Valley communities.
Distance from our office: ~20-30 minutes from Glendale via I-5 to SR-134 to US-101 west.
Why Encino Clients Choose Noble Attorneys
Sexual harassment cases turn on documentation, witnesses, and the credibility of the parties. We take the time to interview witnesses, gather text messages and emails, secure HR records through subpoena, and present a case that survives summary judgment. We file the administrative complaint with California's Civil Rights Department within days of being retained to lock in the deadline.
- Direct attorney access. You work with Michael Chakrian and his team, not a paralegal you never meet.
- Three languages. English, Español, Հայերեն. We serve Encino in the language you actually speak at home.
- No fees unless we win. Contingency fee. You pay nothing upfront.
- Over $75M recovered. Real cases, real clients, real outcomes across Greater Los Angeles.
Encino Sexual Harassment Lawyer FAQs
The questions we hear most from Encino clients. Click to expand.
Does my Encino employer have to have 15 employees for me to file a sexual harassment claim?
No. That is the federal Title VII threshold. California FEHA covers every employer with one or more employees for harassment claims. Even a two-person business in Encino can be sued under FEHA.
Can I sue the harasser personally, or only the employer?
Both. Unlike federal law, FEHA imposes individual liability on the harasser. A supervisor, co-worker, vendor, or customer can be named personally as a defendant. The employer is strictly liable for supervisor harassment and liable for co-worker harassment when it knew or should have known.
What if I signed an NDA at hire?
Senate Bill 331 (the Silenced No More Act) and earlier legislation restrict what NDAs can cover in California. Pre-dispute NDAs cannot bar an employee from disclosing factual information about workplace harassment, discrimination, or retaliation. Federal law (the Ending Forced Arbitration Act of 2022) bars pre-dispute arbitration of sexual harassment claims. If you signed something, do not assume it binds you.
How long do I have to act?
Three years from the most recent harassing act to file an administrative complaint with California's Civil Rights Department. One year from the Right-to-Sue notice to file in court. Some federal claims have shorter deadlines (300 days at EEOC for Title VII). Talk to a Encino sexual harassment lawyer immediately.
Will my employer retaliate if I file?
Retaliation against an employee who complains about harassment, files a charge, or participates in an investigation is itself illegal under FEHA. Under Senate Bill 497, an adverse action within 90 days of a protected complaint is presumed retaliatory. If your employer fires, demotes, or disciplines you after you complain, that becomes a separate claim with its own damages.