SERVING San Diego COUNTY
San Diego Employment Lawyers
You have more rights in San Diego than your employer told you. We represent employees only, on contingency, so there is no fee unless we win, and your review is free and confidential.
†Past results do not guarantee outcomes. See our Privacy & Terms page for more.
Our San Diego Office
RMD Law, San Diego
(619) 935-3662
Phone answered 24/7
Roughly 10 minutes from National City, 15 from Chula Vista, and about 20 from La Jolla or El Cajon in normal traffic.
Consultations
In person by appointment, arranged when you call.
Phone and video consultations statewide. Evening and weekend calls available.
You Have More Rights Than At-Will Suggests
Most employees hear at will and assume there is nothing they can do. In reality, FEHA, the Labor Code, and San Diego’s own wage and sick leave ordinance layer real protections on top of that rule.
What we handle here: wrongful termination, often biotech layoffs dressed up as firings. Wage and hour, including hotel wage theft and off the clock prep. Discrimination, including defense contractor and layoff bias. Plus sexual harassment, retaliation, and leave.
Which San Diego Industries Produce the Most Claims?
Biotech and life sciences. The Torrey Pines and Sorrento Valley clusters and UCSD spinouts, where boom and bust funding cycles end in layoffs dressed up as performance firings.
Defense and shipbuilding. Contractors and Naval Base civilian roles, where clearance suspensions get used as cover for retaliation.
Healthcare. The major systems here include Scripps, Sharp, UC San Diego Health, and Kaiser. The sector produces missed nurse breaks, patient safety whistleblowers, and SB 525 healthcare minimum wage disputes.
Tourism and hospitality. Gaslamp restaurants, bayfront hotels, and the Convention Center, where tip theft, off the clock prep, and the new hospitality wage ordinance come up.
What Is the Minimum Wage in San Diego In 2026?
City rate: $17.75 per hour since January 1, 2026, under the Earned Sick Leave and Minimum Wage Ordinance. It applies to anyone who works two or more hours in a week inside city limits, in every industry, with no size exception, and it controls over the $16.90 state floor.
New Hospitality Minimum Wage Ordinance, effective July 1, 2026: $19.00 per hour at hotels with 150 or more guest rooms and at amusement parks, and $21.06 per hour at event centers such as Petco Park and the Convention Center, both stepping up annually toward $25.00 by 2030.
Fast food at large chains: $20.00 per hour statewide under AB 1228. Healthcare workers: roughly $19.28 to $25.00 by facility tier under SB 525. Where a statewide industry rate is higher than the city rate, the higher rate applies.
The City Office of Labor Standards Enforcement handles ordinance complaints. Wage claims reach back three years, four under the UCL. See the deadline table.
No Fees Unless We Win
Always on the Employees’ Side
Free Confidential Consultation
Always AvailableWhere Do San Diego Employment Cases Get Filed?
San Diego County Superior Court, Hall of Justice at 330 W Broadway downtown, handles civil filings. Federal claims go to the Southern District of California, also downtown.
Two agency paths run before or instead of court. The California Civil Rights Department (CRD, formerly the DFEH), the state agency that handles discrimination complaints, issues the right to sue for claims under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), the state’s main workplace discrimination law. The Labor Commissioner handles wage claims.
Where Are the Nearest CRD and Labor Commissioner Offices?
The Labor Commissioner San Diego office is at 7575 Metropolitan Drive, Room 210, San Diego 92108. The CRD has no San Diego office, with the nearest physical offices in Los Angeles and Riverside, so nearly all employees file online through the CCRS portal. We help with that.
San Diego Employment Cases We Handle
Wrongful Termination
San Diego focused guidance for this claim type.
Wage and Hour
San Diego focused guidance for this claim type.
Discrimination
San Diego focused guidance for this claim type.
Sexual Harassment
San Diego focused guidance for this claim type.
Severance Review
San Diego focused guidance for this claim type.
Unpaid Overtime
San Diego focused guidance for this claim type.
Find Out Where You Stand
Three questions and a phone number. An attorney reads every one, and you hear back within one business day.
San Diego Employment Law FAQ
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Termination Claim in San Diego?
Generally three years to file a FEHA claim with the CRD, two years for a Tameny public policy claim, and three years for most wage claims.
Does the New Hospitality Wage Apply to My Hotel Job?
If you work at a covered hotel with 150 or more rooms, an amusement park, or an event center, the July 2026 ordinance applies.
Where Would My Lawsuit Be Filed?
Usually the Hall of Justice at San Diego Superior Court, or the Southern District of California for federal claims.
Do I Have to Complain to a State Agency Before Suing?
For a FEHA claim, yes, you need a right to sue letter. For wage claims, no.
Is My Consultation Confidential If I Still Work There?
Yes, and we never contact your employer without your permission.
Employment Law Resources
- City of San Diego, Earned Sick Leave and Minimum Wage Ordinance: sandiego.gov
- City of San Diego, Hospitality Minimum Wage Ordinance effective July 1, 2026: sandiego.gov
- San Diego County Superior Court, civil filing and locations: sdcourt.ca.gov
- California Labor Commissioner (DLSE), wage claims: dir.ca.gov/dlse
- California Civil Rights Department, FEHA filing via the CCRS portal: calcivilrights.ca.gov
Where We Work
Eight offices across California. Phone and video consultations statewide, so you never have to take a day off work to talk to us. Evening and weekend calls are available when that is the only safe time for you.
Reviews
What Our Clients Say
5.0
★★★★★
Over 700 reviews across Google, Yelp, Avvo, Facebook, Martindale, Nolo, and Justia
★★★★★
RMD Law exceeded my expectations. Everyone I spoke with was kind, attentive, and genuinely cared about helping me. Communication was excellent, and I always felt confident that my case was in capable hands. The team worked hard on my behalf and made a stressful situation feel much more manageable. I’m very grateful for their help and would absolutely recommend them.
★★★★★
I can’t say enough good things about John and the team at RMD Law. He was honest about what to expect, always called back when he said he would, and broke everything down for me. I felt protected the whole way through and ended up with a result that really helped me get back on my feet. If you’re looking for a lawyer who is both sharp and genuinely caring, ask for John. Thankful!
★★★★★
I had a great experience with RMD Law. Their team was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about my case. They communicated clearly, answered all my questions, and kept me informed throughout the entire process. I always felt supported and confident that my case was in good hands. I highly recommend RMD Law to anyone looking for a trustworthy and dedicated legal team!
★★★★★
RMD Law is exactly what you hope to find when you need legal representation. Yen is sharp, thorough, and easy to reach whenever there’s a question. The whole team operates with a level of professionalism that makes the entire process feel effortless. Highly recommend and would not hesitate to send anyone here.
★★★★★
I had a great experience working with Nicole at RMD Law. They were professional, responsive, and genuinely cared about my case. Throughout the process, they kept me informed and worked hard to achieve a positive outcome. I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of legal representation.
★★★★★
Had a fantastic experience with this team. Would give 6 stars if I could. Felt heard throughout the entire process. Everyone was extremely kind to me and I felt blessed to be a part of the journey that took place. Thank you to everyone involved, I’m extremely grateful.
★★★★★
RMD Law operates at a different level than other firms in the area. Chelsie is incredibly organized and on top of every detail, and John brings a calm confidence that makes you trust the process completely. The results consistently exceed expectations. Five stars.
★★★★★
John Rajaee is exactly the kind of attorney you want handling something important — calm, knowledgeable, and always a step ahead. The support staff at RMD matches that same energy and the overall experience is just really smooth from the jump. Top tier firm.
★★★★★
Thank you so much RMD law for helping us to resolve our case. Maria in particular was key in speeding up this process and communicated everything that was going on. She advocated and fought for us and we are so grateful!
★★★★★
I had a good experience with this law firm. Everyone was patient and nice to me. My case manager Anjolie made me feel comfortable and helped me the whole time. I also like Katie cause she helped me get a good outcome
Reviews are the individual experiences of people who hired the firm. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Attorney advertising.
Tell Us What Happened
One business day for a response. You pay nothing unless we win.
Statewide guides to these claims
Full detail on how each claim works in California, written for the whole state.