Oakland Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Lawyers

Don’t Suffer Silently in the Workplace

State and federal laws strictly prohibit workplace discrimination and harassment. But, unfortunately, many employees in California still suffer from unfair or unequal treatment based on certain characteristics. Victims of workplace discrimination and harassment deserve the opportunity to stand up and fight for their rights.


At Oakland law firm Aiman-Smith & Marcy, we represent clients who are victims of workplace discrimination and harassment in all its forms. We understand discrimination and employment laws and have the skills you need to obtain justice. We work hard to fight for your legal rights and pursue compensation for lost pay or benefits, pain and suffering, and any other applicable damages.

Don’t Suffer Silently in the Workplace

Oakland Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Lawyers

State and federal laws strictly prohibit workplace discrimination and harassment. But, unfortunately, many employees in California still suffer from unfair or unequal treatment based on certain characteristics. Victims of workplace discrimination and harassment deserve the opportunity to stand up and fight for their rights.

At Oakland law firm Aiman-Smith & Marcy, we represent clients who are victims of workplace discrimination and harassment in all its forms. We understand discrimination and employment laws, and have the skills you need to obtain justice. We work hard to fight for your legal rights and pursue compensation for lost pay or benefits, pain and suffering, and any other applicable damages.

What is Workplace Discrimination?

Discrimination is devastating and has a profound impact on the workplace, the victim, their family, and their community. Workplace discrimination occurs when an employer or co-worker takes negative action against an employee based on certain characteristics protected by federal laws. Protected characteristics under federal law include (but are not limited to): 

  • Race
  • Ethnicity
  • Age
  • Gender/Gender Identity
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Religion
  • Disability

Many negative actions may constitute discrimination, including physical, verbal, and emotional actions. Discrimination is not merely bullying, but is action that interferes with the victim’s ability to work, and affects the work environment as a whole. Actions that constitute workplace discrimination include doing any of the following because of one or more characteristics above: 

  • Termination
  • Forcing Resignation
  • Demotion
  • Unfavorable Transfer
  • Decrease in Payor Benefits
  • Denying Pay
  • Failing to Hire

What is Workplace Discrimination?

At Oakland law firm Aiman-Smith & Marcy, we represent clients who are victims of workplace discrimination and harassment in all its forms.

Discrimination is devastating and has a profound impact on the workplace, the victim, their family, and their community. Workplace discrimination occurs when an employer or co-worker takes negative action against an employee based on certain characteristics protected by federal laws. Protected characteristics under federal law include (but are not limited to): 

  • Race
  • Ethnicity
  • Age
  • Gender/Gender Identity
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Religion
  • Disability

Many negative actions may constitute discrimination, including physical, verbal, and emotional actions. Discrimination is not merely bullying, but is action that interferes with the victim’s ability to work, and affects the work environment as a whole. Actions that constitute workplace discrimination include doing any of the following because of one or more characteristics above: 

  • Termination
  • Forcing Resignation
  • Demotion
  • Unfavorable Transfer
  • Decrease in Payor Benefits
  • Denying Pay
  • Failing to Hire

What is Workplace Harassment?

Harassment is often a type of discrimination, but the two are not mutually exclusive. Harassment is a much broader range of actions that create a hostile or unfavorable work environment. Workplace harassment includes any unwelcome behavior by an employer, supervisor, co-worker, or anyone else in the workplace. 

Harassment is often based on discrimination of certain characteristics, like those discussed above. However, harassment can occur to anyone for many reasons. Some examples of harassment in Oakland workplaces include: 

  • Offensive Jokes
  • Racial or Sexual Slurs or Epithets
  • Verbal or Physical Assault
  • Threats or Intimidation
  • Personal Insults
  • Sexually Suggestive Comments
  • Inappropriate Touching of Clothing, Hair, or Body
  • Showing Objects or Photos that are Offensive

Harassment can also include other behaviors that are disruptive to the workplace. Any form of unwelcome conduct that creates a hostile work environment could be a violation of your legal rights.

What is Workplace Harassment?

At Aiman-Smith & Marcy, our Oakland attorneys help you to understand what a Workplace Harassment is.

Harassment is often a type of discrimination, but the two are not mutually exclusive. Harassment is a much broader range of actions that create a hostile or unfavorable work environment. Workplace harassment includes any unwelcome behavior by an employer, supervisor, co-worker, or anyone else in the workplace. 

Harassment is often based on discrimination of certain characteristics, like those discussed above. However, harassment can occur to anyone for many reasons. Some examples of harassment in Oakland workplaces include: 

  • Offensive Jokes
  • Racial or Sexual Slurs or Epithets
  • Verbal or Physical Assault
  • Threats or Intimidation
  • Personal Insults
  • Sexually Suggestive Comments
  • Inappropriate Touching of Clothing, Hair, or Body
  • Showing Objects or Photos that are Offensive

Harassment can also include other behaviors that are disruptive to the workplace. Any form of unwelcome conduct that creates a hostile work environment could be a violation of your legal rights.

Get Help with Oakland Workplace Discrimination or Harassment

If you are experiencing discrimination or harassment at work, or are being retaliated against for reporting such behavior, Aiman-Smith & Marcy want to help you. Contact our Oakland labor and employment lawyer to find out how we can help you protect your rights and pursue justice. You don’t have to accept discrimination or harassment, and we can help you hold those responsible accountable.

Get Help with Oakland Workplace Discrimination or Harassment

Get Help with Oakland Workplace Discrimination or Harassment

If you are experiencing discrimination or harassment at work, or are being retaliated against for reporting such behavior, Aiman-Smith & Marcy want to help you. Contact our Oakland labor and employment lawyer to find out how we can help you protect your rights and pursue justice. You don’t have to accept discrimination or harassment, and we can help you hold those responsible accountable.

Miles

Golden Ambassador

Education

I successfully completed puppy school, but my legal education was advanced thereafter. I learned the importance of not biting due to a law called “strict liability” and I learned the importance of collecting evidence (my mom always bring a plastic bag on our walks for that purpose).

Hobbies

Tennis is my favorite sport – I am not so good with a racket, but I am accomplished at chasing down tennis balls.

Skills

I am committed to brighten the day of anyone I come across (unless it is a squirrel). I am excellent at giving you the opportunity to feel better by scratching my belly or petting my ears. If you need a head on your lap or have treats you need to give away, I will be there for you.

My role at Aiman-Smith & Marcy

I understand lawsuits can be very stressful and so I see myself as a “golden ambassador” to provide comfort and support when you need it. If you come to our office and want me by your side while you tell your story, just let us know and that can be arranged.

Lisseth Bayona

Attorney

Education and Background

I am a Los Angeles native and daughter of Salvadorian immigrants. From an early age, my parents instilled the value of hard work and education in me and my two siblings. Their perseverance enabled each of us to graduate from college and earn professional degrees.

My interest and commitment to workers’ rights have roots in my parents’ experiences as undocumented workers in Los Angeles. Witnessing the challenges they faced inspired me to pursue a career where I can help individuals confronted with similar struggles. To help someone in those moments is very satisfying. I love connecting with people and learning about their stories. I believe that dignity in the workplace is a right of all workers, not a convenience or privilege reserved for employees of a certain race, gender, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Legal Experience

I received my J.D. from the University of Southern California (USC) Gould School of Law. While there, I served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Patrick J. Walsh of the United States District Court for the Central District of California, where I drafted a criminal judicial opinion. Also, while at Gould, I served as an extern for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. As a Criminal Division Extern, I had the opportunity to work closely with a trial team of Assistant U.S. Attorneys on a money laundering case which further sparked my interest in litigation.

Personal Interests

In my free time, I enjoy urban vegetable gardening, traveling, and spending time with my nephew and niece. I also love to spend time at San Onofre Beach learning to surf, although admittedly, I am not very good.

Education

 

Hallie L. Von Rock

Attorney (SBN 233152)

Education and Background

I moved to the Bay Area from Washington after graduating high school. I had been accepted to UC Berkeley through a program where I could defer for two years while getting my California residency and attending community college, which was significant since I was paying for college on my own. I began working for Randall Aiman-Smith and Reed Marcy in 1996 as an office manager while taking night classes. My first foray into the legal world was soon after starting at the firm when I was ready to transfer to UC Berkeley. Rather than accepting my resident status, the Board of Regents took the position that California residency required a student to be in California “two calendar years.” Randall and Reed took up my case with the same verve as they helped their actual clients and I got the chance to comb through the UC Berkeley library to read their codes and regulations to support my position. In that experience, I learned what is was like to feel helpless against a big organization and then to have dedicated attorneys in my corner to take up my cause.

After a break to pursue my major in art history, I went to UC Hastings College of Law and continued working with Randall and Reed. Having worked together now for over 25 years, we have a unique ability to work collaboratively and finish each other’s sentences. I have strived throughout my career to make a difference in the lives of our clients. At the end of the day, if I am helping someone to get compensation for losses they suffered, then I know that all the work put into a case has been worth it.

Legal Experience

I have extensive experience in civil litigation and class action cases, including conducting discovery and depositions, calculating damages analysis, preparing motions for certification, writing appellate documents, and overseeing claims administration. We have handled several class actions against retailers where plaintiffs claimed they were forced to purchase clothing to wear to work and were not compensated for these purchases, including against Abercrombie & Fitch, Hugo Boss, Armani Exchange, Uniqlo, Dollar Tree, and Ross. Recently, I was trial counsel in a defamation claim against Bank of America on behalf of a former employee who claimed the Bank blacklisted her with future employers. The jury found Bank of America liable, including for punitive damages.

Personal Interests

Aiman-Smith & Marcy has sponsored me in the Boston Marathon and New York Marathon. When I race, I often wear a “Rockstar Ronan” shirt to support research for childhood cancer through The Ronan Thompson Foundation.

Education

University of California, Berkeley, B.A., 1999

Hastings College of the Law, University of California, J.D., 2004

Randall Aiman-Smith

Abogado (SBN 124599)

Aiman-Smith & Marcy. Oakland consumer fraud attorneys.

Educación y antecedentes

Fui afortunado. A pesar de no haber terminado la escuela secundaria o la universidad, pude -aunque con mucho trabajo- ser admitido y sobresalir en una de las mejores escuelas de derecho del país: La Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad de Berkeley. Mientras estuve allí, tuve el privilegio de ser editor de la California Law Review y miembro del Moot Court Board, asesorando en la redacción de escritos y en la defensa de apelaciones a otros estudiantes. Después de salir de la escuela de derecho, en mis primeros años de práctica, enseñé la escritura legal y la defensa de apelación en la Universidad de California, Hastings College of the Law. También, a lo largo de los años, he sido presentador en eventos de educación legal continua.

Experiencia legal

He sido abogado durante 35 años. He dedicado mi práctica exclusivamente a representar a empleados, consumidores e inversores en los tribunales estatales y federales de primera instancia y en los tribunales de apelación. Me gusta ir a los tribunales por mis clientes y he llevado muchos casos con jurado en los tribunales estatales y federales.

¿Ejemplos? En 2010, fui la abogada principal, junto con los otros abogados del bufete, en el caso Williams v. Union Pacific Railroad donde, después de cuatro años de preparación, el bufete obtuvo un veredicto del jurado de 1.670.000 dólares para una empleada afroamericana. En Rivero v. Surdyka, fui el abogado principal en el juicio y la apelación de un caso de derechos civiles que duró 15 años, incluyendo un juicio completo y tres apelaciones al Noveno Circuito, concluyendo finalmente con una sentencia para los demandantes de más de 2.300.000 dólares. Estos casos ilustran el lema del bufete: compromiso – resultados. Hay que comprometerse con un caso, a veces durante mucho tiempo, para obtener el resultado que el cliente merece.

No siempre ganamos en el juicio. Cuando eso ocurre, el compromiso significa llevar el caso al siguiente nivel y recurrirlo. En el caso Rivero, antes mencionado, eso fue lo que ocurrió: el tribunal desestimó el caso -habíamos perdido- pero apelamos y conseguimos una victoria para nuestros clientes que mantuvimos a través de dos apelaciones más. Desde entonces, el bufete ha conseguido muchas victorias en apelación que reivindican los derechos de los empleados y los consumidores.

A lo largo de los años he sido abogado de los demandantes en numerosos casos individuales y acciones colectivas. Puede sonar cursi, o difícil de creer, pero después de todo este tiempo, y después de todas las grandes experiencias que he tenido, mi parte favorita de ser abogado es cuando consigo dar un cheque a mi cliente.

 

Educación

Facultad de Derecho, Universidad de California, Berkeley, J.D., 1986