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Neil Pedersen

Item: Neil Pedersen
Rating: 10
Author: Karima Gulick

Neil Pedersen, Pedersen Law APC

36 years of experience
Employment Law
California

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Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&A

Biography

Neil is a 30-year litigator who aggressively advocates employee rights against medium sized and large employers. Neil is also an adjunct professor of law, teaching employment law and law practice management. He is highly respected among his peers and by his former clients. He has been named a Southern California Super Lawyer and one of the Best Employers in Orange County several years running. He was named Attorney of the Year by the State Bar Solo and Small Firm Section in 2016. He has tried several significant matters to settlements and judgments in the high six-figure and the seven figure ranges.Neil's Orange County law firm represents employees in all Southern California courts, including the federal courts located therein. He is equally comfortable arbitrating disputes.

Education

Western State Univ: Undergraduate Degree

Western State Univ COL: Law Degree

Professional Experience

Senior Principal: Pedersen Law APC; 2000 - Current

Vice-President of Human Resources/General Counsel: QuantumLink Corporation, Torrance, CA; 1998 - 1999

Vice-President of Corporate Policy/General Counsel: QuantumLink Corporation, Torrance, CA; 1998 - 1998

Principal: Pedersen & Black, a Professional Law Corporation, Newport Beach, CA; 1994 - 1998

Senior Associate Attorney: Ford & Pedersen, Los Angeles, CA; 1990 - 1994

Associate Attorney: Walker, Kendrick & Jackson, Newport Beach, CA; 1987 - 1990

Publications

Articles & Publications

Mandatory Harassment Training is Expanded to Include Small and Medium-Size Firms: California State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section’s E-News; November, 2018

Beware Treating Disabled Employees the Same as Everyone Else: California State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section’s E-News; September, 2018

New Laws That Will Affect Law Office Employers: California State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section’s E-News; February, 2018

Reducing Stress in the Practice of Law: Some Practical Tips – Part Three in a Recurring Series: California State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section’s E-News; January, 2018

Reducing Stress in the Practice of Law: Some Practical Tips – Part Two in a Recurring Series: California State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section’s E-News; January, 2018

Reducing Stress in the Practice of Law: Some Practical Tips – Part One in a Recurring Series: California State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section’s E-News; December, 2017

Getting Paid: 20 Ways to Avoid Fee Disputes With Your Client: The Bottom Line, official publication of the State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section; July, 2017

Employment Law Changes That Affect Law Firms: California State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section’s E-News; February, 2016

The Wild, Wild West of PAGA Litigation: eNewsletter for the Solo and Small Firm Practitioner Section of the State Bar of California; January, 2016

Risk Management for the Law Office Owner: California State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section’s E-News; December, 2015

There’s A Thief In Your Office: The Hidden Cost of Non-Business-Related Internet Use and Texting: The Bottom Line, official publication of the State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section; December, 2015

Going Paperless: The Nuts and Bolts of Converting Your Office to a Digital Environment: The Bottom Line, official publication of the State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section; October, 2015

Legal Marketing – Have your Elevator Speech Ready!: California State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section’s E-News; October, 2015

Avoiding Exposure to Wage and Hour Claims by Interns and Externs: California State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section’s E-News; August, 2015

Going Digital: Now is the Time to Convert Your Practice to a Paperless Environment: The Bottom Line, official publication of the State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section; August, 2015

Managing Client Expectation During the Attorney-Client Relationship: The Bottom Line, official publication of the State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section; August, 2015

Time Capture and Recordation: The Bottom Line, official publication of the State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section; April, 2015

Time Management Tips – Handling Predictable Interrupters: California State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section’s E-News; April, 2015

Improving and Maintaining Cash Flow for the Solo and Small Firm Practitioner: Newsletter for the Solo and Small Firm Practitioner Section of the State Bar of California; March, 2015

Time Management Tips – Enforcing No Interruption Times: California State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section’s E-News; December, 2014

Time Management Tips – Let Technology Work For You, Not Against You: California State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section’s E-News; October, 2014

Time Management Tips – Managing Your Phone To Make Yourself More Efficient: California State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section’s E-News; August, 2014

Time Management Tips – Handling Paper Efficiently: California State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section’s E-News; June, 2014

Time Management and Meetings: California State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section’s E-News; April, 2014

Time Management Tip: Efficient Use of Your Workspace to Save Time and Money: California State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section’s E-News; February, 2014

Time Management Tip: Make a List, Work the List: California State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section’s E-News; December, 2013

MCLE Self-Study Article: The Attorney as Employer: The Law Regarding Employee Privacy in Social Media Posts: The Bottom Line, official publication of the State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section; October, 2013

FEHA Red Flags: Common Employer Violations of California’s Disability Discrimination Laws: Workers Compensation Quarterly, official publication of the California State Bar Worker’s Compensation Section, vol. 26, no. 1; March, 2013

So You Don’t Want Your Employer To Be Your Friend?: Orange County Lawyer Magazine, vol. 55, no. 3; March, 2013

“A Message from the Guest Editor” for “The Attorney as Employer” edition of The Bottom Line: The Bottom Line, official publication of the State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section; February, 2013

Plugging the Leak: Employing Efficient Intake Practices to Avoid the Loss of Valuable Time: The Bottom Line, official publication of the State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section; October, 2012

Maximizing Mediated Settlements: Big Meeting Magazine, periodical publication of the Solo and Small Firm Practitioner Section of the State Bar of California; September, 2012

Attorney Fee Awards in FEHA Claims: The Lodestar Analysis: The Gavel, vol. 15, no. 3; May, 2012

Attorney Fee Awards in FEHA Claims: The Lodestar Analysis,: Western State Law Review, vol. 39, no. 2; March, 2012

Authored a chapter entitled “Operating Successfully in a Solo or Small Firm Environment: What Lawyers Need to Know Before Striking Out on their Own.”: “Inside the Minds: Establishing a Successful Solo Practice” published by Aspatore Books, a Thomson Reuters business; September, 2011

Behind the Scenes: Solo & Small Firm Section: Orange County Lawyer, vol. 51, no.5; May, 2009

Staying Competitive for the Solo and Small Firm: The Paperless Law Office: Orange County Lawyer, vol. 50, no. 7; July, 2008

Representing an Insured: Avoiding Insurer Reimbursement Actions: Orange County Lawyer, vol. 36, no. 10; October, 1994

Effective Closing Argument: Western State University Law Review, vol. 17, no. 1; 1990

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Speaking Engagements

Ethical Issues Presented by the Cyber-Security Threat to the Small Firm or Solo Practitioner, A one-hour presentation to the Los Angeles County Bar Association Intellectual Property Section: October 19, 2017; Los Angeles County Bar Association Intellectual Property Section

The Prospective Client and Beyond, Client Interviews to Identify Problem Clients and Avoid Potential Pitfalls During the Representation, A one-hour presentation to the Peter M. Elliott American Inn of Court: November 9, 2017

Time Management and Proper Delegation, “Jump Start Your Law Practice,” a three-day conference held in Indianapolis, Indiana: November 20, 2017

Money, Fees, and Pricing (Making Your Money Work for You), “Start Your Law Practice,” a three-day conference held in Indianapolis, Indiana: November 19, 2017

Employee Hiring, Firing, and Management, A one-hour presentation at “Start Your Law Practice,” a three-day conference held in Indianapolis, Indiana: November 18, 2017

It’s Time to Close Up Your Legal Practice for Good, A two-hour presentation sponsored by the Orange County Bar Association: January 23, 2018; Orange County Bar Association

Hit the Floor Running: Practical Advice for the Novice Attorney, Seminar sponsored by Western State College of Law: January 27, 2018; Western State College of Law

Employment Law, One hour segment of day-long Bridging the Gap program sponsored by the Orange County Bar Association: February 10, 2018; Orange County Bar Association

The Attorney-Client Contract, 1.25 hour video MCLE recorded by the National Law Foundation: May 1, 2018; National Law Foundation

Client Intake Procedures and Considerations, 1.25 hour video MCLE recorded by the National Law Foundation: May 1, 2018; National Law Foundation

Converting your Law Office to a Digital Environment, 1.25 hour video MCLE recorded by the National Law Foundation: May 1, 2018; National Law Foundation

The Attorney-Client Contract, Balancing Ethics with Risk Management, California Lawyers Association Annual Conference in San Diego: September 14, 2018; California Lawyers Association

The Importance of Good Legal Writing in the Practice of Law, Two 1.5 hour presentations to the first year class at Western State College of Law: October 30, 2018; Western State College of Law

Inherent Bias in the Arbitration Process, Workplace Perspective Podcast: November 19, 2018; Saffire Legal

Creating a Discovery Plan – Using Discovery Mechanisms Effectively, National Law Foundation Video Presentation: December 5, 2018; National Law Foundation

Identifying and Dealing with Defense Dirty Tricks in Employment Litigation, Orange County Bar Association Last Dash event: January 9, 2019; Orange County Plaintiffs Employment Lawyer Group

Surviving and Thriving in the Practice of Law, Orange County Bar Association Last Dash event: January 12, 2019; Fowler School of Law at Chapman University

Hit the Floor Running: Practical Advice for the Novice Attorney: January 12, 2019; Western State College of Law

Employment Law, Bridging the Gap: February 2, 2019; Orange County Bar Association

Being Salt and Light as a Lawyer Christian, Daniel’s Inn Annual Meeting: February 23, 2019; Daniel's Inn

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Awards

Distinguished Alumni Award: Western State Law Review; 2018

Attorney of the Year: California State Bar Solo and Small Firm Section; 2016

Client's Choice Award: Avvo.com; 2016

Super Lawyer: Thompson Reuters publications; 2015; Awarded in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

Named a “Top 100 Employment Lawyer”: The National Advocates; 2015

“Wall of Justice” honoree: California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA); 2014

Identified as one of the “Best Attorneys in Orange County” in employment law: Orange County Register’s OC Metro Magazine; 2013; 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

Southern California’s Top Rated Lawyers: Legal Leaders Publications; 2013; 2013, 2016

Identified as one of the “Best Attorneys in Southern California”: American Lawyer Media; 2012; Awarded from 2012 to present

Rated “Superb” and a perfect “10”: Avvo.com; 2012; Since 2012

Top Contributor distinction: Avvo.com; 2012; Since 2012

Inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame: Western State School of Law; 2010

Special Appreciation Award for dedication and service to the section: Orange County Bar Association Solo and Small Firm Section; 2010

AV Rated continuously since 1995: Martindale Hubbell; 1995

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Professional Associations

California State Bar # 139262: Member; 1989 - Current

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

California
Since 1989

Fees

Free Consultation
Contingent Fees
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
My firm advances all costs of litigation and seeks no fees or up front costs to handle your case. To determine if we can assist, we engage in substantial up-front analysis and investigation at no charge to you. To get started you need to contact the Intake Manager at the firm.

View Additional Fee Information ›

Practice Area

Employment Law: Employee Benefits, Employment Contracts, Employment Discrimination, ERISA, Overtime & Unpaid Wages, Sexual Harassment, Whistleblower, Wrongful Termination

Languages

English: Spoken, Written

Legal Answers

Q. Can I negotiate severance and take action for termination due to ethical restrictions?: May 27, 2025; A: You can always try to negotiate a better severance payment, but there is no legal right to more money. In fact, you are not entitled to any severance, even under these conditions. You became employed at will which means you can be terminated at any time and for any reason or even no reason at all. Just because the company knew of the ethical issue when you were hired, it was not legally foreclosed from using that as a basis for letting you go. The company was allowed to change its mind without facing legal liability. Good luck to you.

Q. Can I reclaim my previously accrued sick leave hours after rejoining my employer in California?: May 26, 2025; A: The answer to your question depends entirely on the way you accrued the sick leave. There is a California law that requires employers to provide a certain amount of sick leave, and there are individual company sick leave policies that can supplement what the law requires. If your sick leave was through the statute, you should be entitled to a return of your sick leave. However, if the leave accumulated was that provided by the supplemental leave provided by your employer, you will be entitled to that pool returned only if that is part of the company's sick leave policy.

Good luck to you.

Q. Does Section 925 apply to 1099 independent contractors in California?: May 19, 2025; A: If you really were not an employee, and were properly classified as an independent contractor, you do not get the protections of the California Labor Code. Sorry.

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