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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

View More Publications ›

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

View More Speaking Engagements ›

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

View More Awards ›

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. I've faced harassment and discrimination at my job within Lynwood Unified School District. I was demoted despite having a plumber's degree and am refused plumber classification.: March 22, 2025; A: Far more needs to be known to determine if the employer has violated the law. Your post contains no information that the harassment you have experienced was based on your membership in a protected class of people or because you engaged in some kind of legally protected conduct. Absent those two unlawful motives, nothing you have written about would be unlawful conduct. If you think illegal motives can be proved, then it would be wise for you to locate and consult with an experienced employment law attorney as soon as possible to explore your facts and determine your options. I would suggest you look either on this site, or go to www.cela.org, the home page for the California Employment Lawyers Association, an organization whose members are dedicated to the representation of employees against their employers.

Most employment attorneys who practice this area of law offer a free or low cost consultation in the beginning and then, if the matter has merit and value, will usually agree to work on a contingency basis, meaning you can hire an attorney without paying any money until the matter results in a positive outcome for you. Many advance all the costs of the litigation as well. Do not let fear of fees and costs keep you from finding a good attorney.

Good luck to you. ... Read More

Q. Am I entitled to payment for working slightly over 5-hour shifts in California?: March 20, 2025; A: You call yourself a consultant. If you are an independent contractor you are not entitled to the Labor Code requirement of a meal period. And even if you are an employee, if you are an exempt employee, you are not entitled to the one hour wage penalty for not getting a meal period before the end of your fifth hour.

It would be a good idea for you to locate and consult with an experienced employment law attorney as soon as possible to explore your facts and determine your options. I would suggest you look either on this site, or go to www.cela.org, the home page for the California Employment Lawyers Association, an organization whose members are dedicated to the representation of employees against their employers.

Most employment attorneys who practice this area of law offer a free or low-charge consultation and then if the matter has merit and sufficient value, they work on a contingency basis, meaning you can hire an attorney without paying any money until the matter results in a positive outcome for you. Many advance all the costs of the litigation as well. Do not let fear of fees and costs keep you from finding a good attorney.

Good luck to you. ... Read More

Q. Do I have a case for wrongful termination or disability discrimination in CA?: March 18, 2025; A: Far more would need to be known about your situation before it can be determined that the employer acted unlawfully. For instance, was there a reasonable accommodation that would have allowed you to continue to perform all of the essential functions of your job without creating an undue hardship on the employer? Did you inform your employer that you needed accommodations? Was the employer's stated basis for the termination correct - that you failed to follow procedures? There are many additional facts needed. Therefore it would be wise for you to locate and consult with an experienced employment law attorney as soon as possible to explore your facts and determine your options. I would suggest you look either on this site in the Find a Lawyer section, or go to www.cela.org, the home page for the California Employment Lawyers Association, an organization whose members are dedicated to the representation of employees against their employers.

Most employment attorneys who practice this area of law offer a free or low-charge consultation and then if the matter has merit and sufficient value, they work on a contingency basis, meaning you can hire an attorney without paying any money until the matter results in a positive outcome for you. Many advance all the costs of the litigation as well. Do not let fear of fees and costs keep you from finding a good attorney.

Good luck to you. ... Read More