Temecula & Murrieta Employment Lawyer

Fired, harassed or treated unfairly at work in Temecula or Murrieta? We represent employees throughout southwest Riverside County in wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation and wage cases.

On this page: Claims we handle · Local employers · Deadlines · Courts · What to do now · Fees · FAQ

Smith Trial Group represents employees in Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Wildomar, Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake and French Valley. The Temecula Valley’s economy has grown quickly, and with it the number of workers employed by hospitals and medical groups, manufacturers, wineries and resorts, retailers and distribution centers. California gives those employees some of the strongest workplace protections in the country, and we enforce them.

Employment Claims We Handle

• Wrongful termination, including firing in violation of public policy and after protected leave.
• Discrimination based on disability, pregnancy, age, race, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Sexual harassment and hostile work environment.
• Retaliation for complaining, reporting safety or legal violations, or taking leave, and whistleblower claims.
• Failure to accommodate a disability and medical and family leave (CFRA and pregnancy disability leave) violations.
• Unpaid wages and overtime, meal and rest breaks and misclassification.
• Severance agreement review before you sign.

Southwest Riverside County Employers

Our clients come from many of the region’s major industries:

• Healthcare: hospitals, medical groups and clinics in Temecula and Murrieta. Healthcare workers who report patient-safety or billing problems have additional protections; see healthcare fraud whistleblower.
• Medical device and manufacturing: production, quality and engineering roles, where retaliation for raising compliance concerns is common. See pharmaceutical and medical device whistleblower.
• Wineries, hospitality and tourism: tipped and hourly workers, where meal-break, overtime and harassment claims arise often.
• Retail, logistics and warehouses along the I-15 and I-215 corridors.

Employees of tribal casinos and resorts face different rules because of tribal sovereign immunity, so those claims may need to proceed under the tribe’s own procedures. We can tell you quickly whether that applies to you.

Deadlines That Matter

• Civil Rights Department complaint: generally within three years of the discrimination, harassment or retaliation, then one year to file suit after the right-to-sue notice.
• Wrongful termination in violation of public policy: generally two years from the termination.
• Unpaid wages and overtime: generally three years, and up to four years for some claims.
• Severance offers usually come with a short deadline to sign. Have the agreement reviewed before it expires.

Courts and Arbitration

Employment lawsuits from Temecula and Murrieta are filed in Riverside County Superior Court. Depending on the community, unlimited civil cases are filed at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta or the Historic Courthouse in Riverside; since August 1, 2026, cases from Murrieta, Wildomar and Lake Elsinore go to the Historic Courthouse. Federal cases are heard in the Central District of California, Eastern Division, in Riverside. If you signed an arbitration agreement, your case may instead be heard by a private arbitrator, usually through AAA or JAMS.

What to Do Now

1. Write down what happened, with dates and the names of witnesses, while it is fresh.
2. Keep copies of your offer letter, pay stubs, performance reviews, write-ups and any termination or severance letter.
3. Save texts and emails that show what you were told, but do not take confidential company documents.
4. Request your personnel file and payroll records; California law gives you the right to both.
5. Do not sign a severance agreement or release before having it reviewed.

No Fee Unless We Win

Most employment cases are handled on a contingency fee, so you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation. Consultations are free and confidential, by phone or by video. Injured in a crash instead? See our Temecula and Murrieta personal injury lawyer page, or our employment law overview.

Our Murrieta Office

Smith Trial Group – Murrieta
26832 Adams Ave
Murrieta, CA 92562
Phone: (951) 335-8996
Toll-free: 855-202-2232
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to bring an employment claim in California?

It depends on the claim. A discrimination, harassment or retaliation complaint under the Fair Employment and Housing Act generally must be filed with the Civil Rights Department within three years, and a lawsuit within one year after the right-to-sue notice. A wrongful termination claim in violation of public policy generally has a two-year deadline, and most unpaid wage claims have three years. Because the deadlines vary, it is best to speak with a lawyer soon after you are fired or the problem begins.

Do I have to file with the Civil Rights Department first?

For most discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act, yes. The complaint can be filed with an immediate right-to-sue request, which allows the case to go forward in court or arbitration. We prepare and file that complaint for our clients.

What if I signed an arbitration agreement?

Many employers in southwest Riverside County require employees to sign arbitration agreements. If the agreement is enforceable, the case is heard by a private arbitrator instead of a jury, but the same California employment protections apply. In employment arbitration, the employer generally must pay the arbitration fees, and California law imposes consequences on employers that do not pay them on time.

Which court will hear my case?

Employment lawsuits from Temecula and Murrieta are filed in Riverside County Superior Court, either at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta or at the Historic Courthouse in Riverside, depending on the community. Federal employment cases from Riverside County are heard in the Central District of California, Eastern Division, in Riverside.

Do I need to meet in person?

No. Consultations are available by phone or video, and most of the work on a case can be handled remotely. Clients who prefer to meet in person can do so at our Murrieta office.

How much does it cost?

Consultations are free and confidential. Most employment cases are handled on a contingency fee, so you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.