I lead Michael Trust Law, APC, with a commitment to delivering exceptional legal representation in employment law to both aggrieved employees and to employers. As a California-licensed attorney, I have spent decades addressing various workplace issues such as discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour disputes, whistleblower claims, and disability issues. I am also well-versed in helping with policies and procedures.
My 35-year career in human resources, combined with my legal skills, provides me with a comprehensive understanding of employment matters from both employer and employee perspectives.
My practice is founded on principles of fairness and achieving results. For employers, I provide compliance strategies, dispute resolution, and guidance to cultivate positive workplace environments. For employees, I am a passionate advocate, fighting for justice in cases of illegal treatment, wrongful termination, or other employment-related matters. As a California Certified Mediator, I employ a collaborative approach to resolving disputes, always keeping my clients’ best interests in focus.
My dedication to innovation and efficiency is clear in my use of technology to streamline legal services. I am also a respected educator, having taught courses in employment law and HR. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy spending time with my family, watching football, and viewing historical documentaries. My commitment to integrity, hard work, and client success has earned me the trust and praise of colleagues, clients, and industry professionals.
- Abraham Lincoln University School of Law
- J.D. (2023) | Law
- Honors: Cum Laude
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- University of Southern California
- M.P.A. (1993) | Public Administration (Management)
- Honors: Summa Cum Laude equivalent
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- California State University - Long Beach
- B.A. (1991) | Psychology
- Honors: Cum Laude
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- Special Counsel
- Confidential Law Firm (Employment) (part-time)
- - Current
- Attorney
- Michael Trust Law, APC (Employment)
- - Current
- HR & HR Executive Roles
- Various
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- Law Clerk
- M.L. Hall Law Group (Employment & General Law) (part-time)
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- Law Clerk
- Confidential Law Firm (Employment) (part-time)
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- Bar Certified Law Clerk & Law Clerk
- The Hall Law Offices (Employment & General Practice) (part-time)
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- Alchemizing HR: Your Formula for the New Era (contributor)
- Human Resources Certification Institute
- Michael Trust Law Blog
- Michael Trust Law
- Society for Human Resources Management - Senior Certified Professional - Human Resources (SHRM-SCP)
- Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)
- California Certified Mediator Under the California Dispute Resolution Act of 1986
- University of California, Irvine
- Professional in Human Resources - California (PHRca)
- Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI)
- Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)
- Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI)
- Top Contributor Award
- Avvo
- 5 Star Reviews
- Avvo
- Client's Choice Award
- Avvo
- South Bay Bar Association
- Memeber
- - Current
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- Capital Pro Bono
- Pro Bono Employment Attorney
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- Activities: Provide pro bono employment services.
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- State Bar of California # 356354
- Member
- - Current
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- Beverly Hills Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
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- California Lawyers Association
- Member
- - Current
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- Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA)
- Member
- - Current
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- Cal Chamber (HR California)
- Member
- - Current
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- Society for Human Resources Management
- Member
- - Current
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- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Student Member
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- Human Resources Certification Institute - Ambassador Program (HRCI)
- Founding Member
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- National Human Resources Association (NHRA)
- Member
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- Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA)
- Member
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- California
- State Bar of California
- ID Number: 356354
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- Free Consultation
- Credit Cards Accepted
- Contingent Fees
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Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
Some services are hourly when contingent fees are not appropriate.
- Employment Law
- Employee Benefits, Employment Contracts, Employment Discrimination, ERISA, Overtime & Unpaid Wages, Sexual Harassment, Whistleblower, Wrongful Termination
- English: Spoken, Written
- Tagalog: Spoken, Written
- Q. Employer did not honor 401k matching as stated in employee handbook, what should I do?
- A: Hello. What do the plan documents say? That will govern what should happen here. It's very likely that a law named ERISA covers this plan. If the plan was supposed to have matches, and they didn't occur, there could be an ERISA violation (potentially for every affected employee, past or current, who participated in the plan). If this is the case, then you'd want to find an ERISA lawyer; they are highly specialized and there aren't a lot of them, but they exist. You should have the plan documents as a participant or they should be available from the plan fiduciary (the company that manages the plan). They are likely in your participant portal online, if your plan has such ... Read More
- Q. What are my rights if I was made to work on a colleague's home during work hours in CA?
- A: Hello. I'm not sure there's an actual issue here. So long as you were paid for this work as a part of your job, there's nothing inherently wrong with it. If the funds used to do the renovation and/or to pay you to do the renovation as part of your job were contracted to the company for some other purpose (like a federal or state grant that said the money was to be used for X, but instead it was used for this project or someone paid the company to perform a service, but instead that money was used to pay for this project), then yes, that could be illegal. But that's not really your concern; that's the company's issue. If you were non-exempt (hourly) (it's not ... Read More
- Q. Do I owe penalties for delayed payment due to holiday postal delay to a temporary worker in California?
- A: Hello. Yes. Payment is due on the last day of work if you terminated the arrangement. Postal delays are no excuse. You owe one day of pay for each *calendar* day until payment is *received* by him.