Defending the rights of San Diego County workers — from Chula Vista to Carlsbad — against unlawful employer conduct.
Years of Experience
Unless We Win
Court Representation
Initial Consultation
San Diego County is California’s second-largest county by area and third-largest by population, with over 3.3 million residents and a workforce shaped by the defense and military sector, biotechnology, tourism, healthcare, and a booming technology industry. The region is home to some of the world’s leading biotech companies, major military installations including Camp Pendleton and Naval Base San Diego, and a hospitality industry that employs hundreds of thousands.
With such workforce diversity comes significant employment law complexity. At Liane Ly Law, we represent San Diego County employees who have been wrongfully terminated, discriminated against, sexually harassed, retaliated against, or denied fair wages. Attorney Liane Katzenstein Ly is licensed in the Southern District of California as well as the Central District, and has extensive experience navigating both state and federal employment law. If your employer has violated your rights in San Diego County, we are prepared to fight for you.
Fired for an illegal reason? We fight for reinstatement, back pay, and damages when employers violate California termination law.
Discrimination based on race, gender, age, disability, religion, or national origin violates California and federal law. We hold employers accountable.
Hostile work environment and quid pro quo harassment are illegal. We provide compassionate, aggressive representation for harassment victims.
Did your employer punish you for reporting misconduct or filing a complaint? Retaliation is illegal and we aggressively defend your rights.
Unpaid overtime, missed meal breaks, misclassification — California wage law is strict. We recover what you are owed, plus penalties.
General employment matters including contract disputes, non-compete issues, severance negotiation, and WARN Act violations.
San Diego’s large military community includes many civilian defense contractors and federal employees who face unique employment law questions at the intersection of federal employment regulations and California law. The county’s biotech boom has also brought complex non-compete and whistleblower issues to the forefront.
Attorney Liane Katzenstein Ly has over 15 years of experience representing California employees and has appeared in courts across the state. She is licensed in all California state courts and in the Central, Northern, and Eastern Districts of California for federal claims. When you hire Liane Ly Law, you get an attorney who understands not just the law, but the economic realities facing workers in your region.
Associate attorney Julie Lewis brings additional experience in individual employment matters, ensuring every client receives the dedicated attention their case deserves. Our team approaches every case with the belief that each worker’s story matters and that every worker deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
Attorney Liane Katzenstein Ly has fought for California workers since 2008, building a record of results in state and federal court.
We handle most employment cases on contingency — you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
We exclusively represent employees, never employers. Your interests are always our only priority.
If you believe your employer has violated your rights in San Diego County, don’t wait. Employment law deadlines are strict and evidence disappears quickly.
Liane’s passion extends beyond the courtroom. She dedicates her time to pro bono legal services, empowering low-wage workers and undocumented immigrants seeking asylum. She is also deeply involved with non-profits that advocate for workers’ rights, ensuring that her commitment to justice goes beyond her practice.
With over 15 years of experience, Liane has built a reputation for providing compassionate, results-driven representation. Her work has taken her to state and federal courts, where she has achieved significant victories for workers across a wide range of industries. Whether addressing wage disputes, fighting against wrongful termination, or standing up to discrimination, Liane approaches each case with the belief that every worker’s story matters.
At Liane Ly Law, we’re not just about legal representation—we’re about changing lives.
We understand the courage it takes to speak up against unfair treatment and the impact losing your job can have on every aspect of your life. We’re here to stand by your side every step of the way. Let us help you reclaim your voice and achieve the justice you deserve.
Relentlessly pursuing justice with passion, precision, and unwavering commitment to protect your rights and achieve the results you deserve.
Delivering expert legal representation with integrity, reliability, and a steadfast focus on achieving the best outcomes for our clients.
Bringing years of proven expertise to navigate complex legal challenges and secure justice for our clients.
San Diego County workers are protected by California state law — including FEHA, the California Labor Code, and the California Family Rights Act — as well as applicable federal laws like Title VII, the ADA, the ADEA, and the FLSA. San Diego also has its own local minimum wage ordinance. Employees of the federal government or military contractors may face additional regulatory layers, which our firm is experienced in navigating.
Yes, though the process differs from private sector claims. Federal civilian employees must typically go through their agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) process before filing a lawsuit. Defense contractor employees, however, file under California and federal law just like other private employees. Liane Ly Law has experience advising clients across both pathways.
Wrongful termination occurs when an employer fires an employee for an illegal reason — such as discrimination based on race, gender, age, disability, or religion; retaliation for filing a complaint or whistleblowing; or in violation of an employment contract. California is an at-will employment state, but ‘at-will’ does not mean employers can fire employees for any reason. Many terminations violate public policy or anti-discrimination statutes.
California law prohibits two forms of sexual harassment: quid pro quo harassment (where job benefits are conditioned on sexual favors) and hostile work environment harassment (where unwelcome sexual conduct is severe or pervasive enough to create an abusive workplace). Employers are legally required to prevent and respond to harassment. Liane Ly Law has extensive experience representing San Diego employees who have suffered harassment in all industries.
Common wage violations in San Diego include failure to pay overtime (1.5x for hours over 8 per day or 40 per week), meal and rest break violations, off-the-clock work, misclassification of employees as independent contractors, and minimum wage violations in tipped industries. The hospitality sector, which is enormous in San Diego, has a particularly high rate of wage theft. We recover unpaid wages plus penalties and attorney fees.
Timelines vary widely. Simple cases may settle within 6–12 months. Cases that go to trial typically take 1.5 to 3 years. The San Diego County Superior Court has specific local rules and procedures that affect timing. We work to resolve cases as efficiently as possible while always prioritizing the best outcome for our clients.
Our primary office is in downtown Los Angeles. We serve San Diego County clients remotely via phone and video consultation, and can arrange in-person meetings when needed. All case work, document exchange, and court appearances are managed by our experienced team on your behalf.
