By proxy, because California was part of Mexico, Mexicans were the first California lawyers and judges. Prior to statehood, in 1830s there were perhaps four trained, capable lawyers in California. Lawyers during this period did not make their services available to the public. They were called asesores, and were legal advisers to governors.
The first reference to anything akin to California judging occurred in 1837 when Jose Sepulveda settled legal disputes as if he were a judge.
The Sepulveda family came to San Gabriel from Sinaloa, Mexico making their first roots in California the same year the Pueblo, Los Angeles was established in 1781. The Sepulveda family, the namesake of Sepulveda Boulevard that runs from Long Beach to Sylmar, 42.8 miles and reputed to be the longest street in the County, grew over the years settling in several parts of Los Angeles County. In 1863 Jose Andres Sepulveda was admitted to the bar. He later became a judge.
Manuel Clemente Rojo was a Peruvian law student who came to California for the Gold Rush. However, by the end of 1848 he was in Los Angeles after a vessel he was merchanting goods on sank near Rosarito Beach. Manuel Clement Rojo established an unusual commercial practice, for the era, in Los Angeles, but left California for Baja in 1854.
AUGUSTIN OLVERA, THE FIRST JUDGE IN LOS ANGELES
The first county court opened in Los Angeles on May 31, 1850 with Judge Olvera presiding. He was rapidly learning English. Augustin Olvera was a recent immigrant from Mexico. The court was located at Augustin Olvera’s home near the fountain in the plaza and the church now known as Olvera Street, called the Pueblo back then.
Varying records claim he was born between 1817 and 1820. He was in his very early 30s when he became the first judge in Los Angeles. Judge Olvera presided over had exclusive jurisdiction over probate matters, appeals from justice courts, limited criminal jurisdiction, and other functions such as seeing that the county assessor-elect and coroner-elect qualified by giving bond.
For some time there was not any opposition to a Mexican or somebody else from a Spanish speaking country becoming a California lawyer. In 1878 the California Code of Civil Procedure struck references to race and gender which allowed persons other than white males over the age of 21 to practice law in the State of California. Many years passed before a black of Chinese lawyer was admitted to practice law in California.
Our Firm: No upfront fees or costs
Contingency Fee Representation
All employment cases for employees are taken on a contingency basis. We are only paid a fee when and if we win your case, and we advance all litigation costs. Our goal is to make expert legal representation accessible to every hardworking employee.
Serving Los Angeles County
We have proudly served all of Los Angeles County since 1993.
The Employment Lawyers Group has successfully handled
2,000+
Separate California Employment Cases
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Sample Case Results
Employment Case
$18,402,868
Jury verdict for male visually harassed and subject to crude comments by a female manager
breach of commission contract
$1,150,000
Unpaid commissions of two plaintiffs
unpaid wages
$875,000
For 4 oil field service industry workers whose times worked were not recorded on timesheets and were on-call
Disclaimer: These results are based on the facts of these specific cases and do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any future case.
Practice Areas
Discrimination
Age, Disability, Family Medical Leave (FMLA/CFRA), Gender, National Origin, Pregnancy, Race, and Sexual Orientation claims.
Unpaid Wages & Overtime
Recovering earnings for Overtime, Bonuses, Commissions, Meal & Rest Breaks, and Prevailing Wage violations.
Sexual Harassment
Compassionate and effective representation for victims of sexual harassment and hostile work environment claims.
Wrongful Termination
Representing employees terminated in violation of public policy, contracts, or California and Federal law.
Leaves & Retaliation
Protecting employees who face adverse actions after reporting illegal activity or taking protected medical leave.
Whistleblowers
Advocating for employees who report fraud, waste, or abuse in their organizations under whistleblower protections.
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Bakersfield CA 93309
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Additional Sites
BostonLaborLaw.com
DcLaborAttorney.com
FresnoEmployeeLawyer.com
JobLawyer.net
MarylandLaborAttorney.com
ModemStud.com
VintageLosAngeles.org
WorkLawyerCA.info
About Firm Founder, Karl Gerber
Firm Founder, Karl Gerber, has been an employment wrongful termination attorney since 1993. He has represented a wide range of employees throughout California.
Mr. Gerber has won 51 of the binding arbitrations and jury trials he first chaired, and a number of his appeals are published. This deep trial experience is the foundation of the firm's strategic approach to litigation.
The employment attorneys employed by the Employment Lawyers Group have worked at the firm well in excess of five years, have also tried many different labor cases, and have all been extensively trained on employment wrongful termination by Karl Gerber.
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