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What we provide
Resolving Unpaid Wage Claims, Overtime Disputes & Workplace Pay Violations Across California and Nevada
Are you facing unpaid wages, overtime disputes or other wage and hour violations in your workplace? Or are you an employer dealing with wage and hour claims brought by your employees?
Best Employment Lawyer is here to help. Our dedicated legal professionals have extensive knowledge and experience in handling all types of wage claim disputes, including unpaid wages, overtime violations, misclassification issues, tip pooling violations, meal and rest break violations, and more.
Contact us today for a free consultation and to discuss your legal options. Our team will work tirelessly to protect your rights and ensure that you receive the fair compensation you deserve.
Wage and Hour Laws in California
California’s wage and hour laws, outlined in the California Labor Code, are designed to ensure workers get fair pay and treatment. As of January 2025, the state minimum wage is $16.50 per hour for most employees, though some cities like Los Angeles set it higher at $17.28 (Cal. Lab. Code § 1182.12). Overtime kicks in at 1.5 times your regular pay for working over 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week, and double pay applies for anything over 12 hours a day (Cal. Lab. Code § 510(a)). Workers also have a right to a 30-minute meal break for shifts longer than 5 hours and a 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked (Cal. Lab. Code § 226.7).
Wage theft, like unpaid wages or being wrongly classified as an independent contractor, is a serious issue. If this happens, you can sue for back pay, interest, and even attorney fees under Labor Code Section 1194 (Cal. Lab. Code § 1194(a)). Federal law, through the Fair Labor Standards Act, adds protections like requiring employers to keep accurate pay records (29 U.S.C. § 211(c)). You can file a claim with California’s Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) or take it to court.
Employers who break these laws face hefty fines—up to $200 per employee per pay period for minimum wage violations (Cal. Lab. Code § 1197.1). Repeat offenders might face bigger penalties or criminal charges. Knowing your rights to fair wages and breaks is key. If you’re shortchanged, a wage and hour violation lawyer from our firm can help you recover what’s owed and hold employers accountable.
Wage Claim Legal Services for Employees
Protecting Your Right to Fair Pay
If you’ve worked overtime without pay, been misclassified as exempt, or missed legally required breaks, you may be entitled to significant back pay and penalties. Our unpaid wages lawyers and hour violation attorneys help you understand your rights and pursue compensation under both state and federal law.
We handle:
Overtime and double-time violations
Off-the-clock work and underpayment
Minimum wage violations
Missed meal and rest breaks
Misclassification as exempt or contractor
Final paycheck and waiting time penalties
Retaliation for wage complaints
Class actions for systemic wage theft
We don’t just file claims—we build strong cases and push for maximum recovery.
Overtime Dispute & Wage Theft Defense for Employers
Strategic Legal Protection for Businesses
Employers face intense scrutiny when it comes to wage and hour practices. One misstep in time tracking, classification, or final pay can open the door to litigation, audits, and reputational harm. Our team offers proactive and defensive solutions tailored to your operations.
As your fair labor standards attorney and legal compliance partner, we:
Conduct wage audits and risk assessments
Draft clear policies on breaks, scheduling, and pay
Review classification of exempt vs. non-exempt roles
Defend against DLSE complaints or Department of Labor investigations
Represent your business in individual or class-based wage claims
Support settlement negotiations or litigation defense
Let us help you prevent violations before they occur—and defend your business if a claim arises.
Recovering Unpaid Wages and Penalties
For employees, California and Nevada law provides strong remedies for wage and hour violations, including:
We also offer:
Back pay for unpaid regular or overtime wages
Interest and statutory penalties
Waiting time penalties for late final pay
“Wage statement” penalties for inaccurate pay stubs
Attorney fees and legal costs
Liquidated damages in some cases
Our team works to maximize every dollar owed and hold employers accountable under the law.
How We Resolve Wage Disputes
We take a strategic, results-oriented approach to each wage claim—whether it's a single employee demand or a class-wide action. Our methods include:
Early resolution through demand letters or settlement
Administrative claims with DLSE or DOL
Mediation or arbitration for private resolution
Civil litigation in state or federal court
Defense against false or inflated claims on behalf of employers
We choose the right path based on your goals, evidence, and legal position—then drive it forward.
Who We Represent
Our firm represents both sides of wage and hour disputes, offering balanced insight and effective advocacy tailored to each client’s needs.
For Employees:
Hourly workers denied breaks or overtime
Sales reps owed commissions
Contract workers misclassified as independent
Tech workers asked to work off the clock
Executives with unpaid bonuses or severance
For Employers:
Startups unsure of classification rules
Restaurants, healthcare providers, and retail businesses
Multistate employers navigating different state laws
Companies facing class actions or audits
Businesses needing wage policy development
Why Choose Best Employment Lawyer?
We are not generalists—we are employment law specialists with a deep focus on wage and hour issues. Clients choose us because we offer:
Decades of employment litigation and compliance experience
Real-world understanding of payroll, HR, and labor audits
Proven success in recovering or defending against large wage claims
Practical advice, not just legal theory
Personal service and strategic insight from start to finish
Don’t Let a Wage Dispute Go Unresolved
Pay violations can quickly escalate—costing money, time, and legal standing. The sooner you act, the better your chances of recovery or defense. At Best Employment Lawyer, we bring clarity, confidence, and experience to every wage and hour case we handle.
Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation with a wage dispute lawyer in California or Nevada.
Let us help you take control, resolve your dispute, and protect your financial future.
We Provide The Help Employees Need When They Need It.
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Serving clients throughout Nevada and California, including:
Clark County, NV, including Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Enterprise, Spring Valley, Sunrise Manor, and Paradise; Los Angeles County, CA, including Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Lancaster, Palmdale, Pomona, Torrance, Pasadena, East Los Angeles, Downey, West Covina, El Monte, Inglewood, and Burbank; San Diego County, CA, including San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, and El Cajon; Orange County, CA, including Anaheim, Irvine, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Orange, Fullerton, Costa Mesa, Mission Viejo, Westminster, Lake Forest, Newport Beach, and Buena Park; Riverside County, CA, including Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Menifee, Murrieta, Temecula, and Jurupa Valley; San Bernardino County, CA, including San Bernardino, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Victorville, Rialto, Hesperia, Chino, Upland, and Chino Hills; and Ventura County, CA, including Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Ventura, and Camarillo.
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An attorney-client relationship can only be established through personal consultation and the execution of a written retainer agreement. Please do not send any confidential information to us until an attorney-client relationship has been established.
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