Protecting California employees
Your rights matter.
OUR VISION
We represent employees who have been discriminated, harassed, wrongfully terminated, retaliated against for speaking up, or denied their rights. You have a right to equal treatment under the law, to earn a living without enduring sexual harassment, to go to work without being harassed because of who you are, and to have the same opportunities regardless of your race, gender, where you're from or who you love. You have a right to meal and rest breaks, and to reasonable accommodations for medical conditions, to take pregnancy and medical leave to care for yourself or your family without fear that you will lose your job. We are passionate about fighting for employees' rights, and when a violation occurs, we will work relentlessly to protect and enforce your rights. We take litigation cases on a contingency basis and do not charge you money up front. Our staff speaks Spanish, French and Italian. If you feel that your employer has mistreated you or terminated you for discriminatory reasons, give us a call for a free consultation. We are here to help.
PRACTICE
AREAS
All California employees have the right to work in an environment that’s free of unwelcome sexual advances, sexual favoritism, and sexist comments. These laws are stronger than ever after the me-too movement.
California is committed to closing the gender pay gap and minority pay gap, and so are we. You are entitled to equal compensation in pay, bonuses, benefits, fringe benefits, and other compensation for substantially similar work. Other forms of gender discrimination are also prohibited.
Employers cannot treat you differently because of your race, color or ethnicity. Discriminatory employment actions (write-ups, assignments, termination) and harassing conduct (epithets, racist comments) are unlawful.
Employers are required to make reasonable accommodations to provide disabled employees the ability to perform their job functions. They cannot discriminate against you because of a disability or perceived disability.
If you are gay, straight, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, gender nonconforming, or gender fluid, California law has you covered. Employers cannot discriminate against you because of who you are and who you love.
Employers cannot terminate, demote or mistreat you based on your pregnancy, and they must provide reasonable accommodations and pregnancy leave.
Employers are required to provide full compensation, overtime pay, rest and meal breaks and reimbursements to qualified employees. We see that workers who are not fully compensated get the pay they deserve.
California law protects employees over the age of 40 from discrimination based on their age. Employers cannot pass you up, replace you, pay you less, or deny you training and promotions because of your age.
Standing up to an employer by reporting wrong-doing takes courage and support. If you have been retaliated against or terminated, we can help you take back your power.
Have you been terminated in a way that seems wrong or illegal? Employers cannot terminate employees because of discriminatory practices at work, or in a way that violates public policy.
Other Workplace Discrimination Practice Areas
ABOUT SANDRA
Sandra M. Falchetti is an experienced trial and appellate attorney who focuses her practice primarily on employment and wage and hour law. For almost 20 years, she has successfully litigated numerous cases involving sexual harassment, race, gender and age discrimination, pregnancy and disability discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour claims, and more. While most of her practice has been devoted to representing employees, her work on behalf of business clients has given her a unique insight and advantage when representing individuals.
Sandra began her employment practice in 2002 representing employees at Rastegar & Matern, where she gained extensive experience in all aspects of litigation through trial and obtained successful resolutions and jury verdicts in favor of her clients.
In 2005, she founded the Law Office of Sandra M. Falchetti and continued to team up with Rastegar & Matern, obtaining significant wins for employees in and out of court, obtaining jury verdicts as first- and second-chair, and successfully appealing cases that have resulted in published opinions that have helped shape the landscape of employment law in California.
In 2012, Sandra joined Matern Law Group as Of Counsel and continued her work in employment law, championing the rights of employees and obtaining seven-figure and high six-figure results in their favor. These cases have included complex wage-and-hour claims, intellectual property rights, as well as sensitive civil rights matters involving celebrities and media-related concerns.
In 2018, Sandra began work with Vanderford & Ruiz in Pasadena as Partner, heading a team of highly skilled attorneys to defend large public entities and private companies against claims, obtaining summary judgment and case dismissals in her clients’ favor, and reaching settlement of claims in high-stakes litigation.
In 2021, Sandra returned to her roots and founded the Falchetti Law Firm. The firm is committed to defending the rights of employees to a discrimination-free work environment and fair compensation. Having represented plaintiffs and defendants alike, Sandra’s trial and appellate work make her particularly effective at positioning her clients to prevail at trial or reach a favorable resolution prior to trial. The firm has obtained several high six-figure settlements and is pursuing six- and seven-figure litigation. Sandra has been selected to the 2024 Southern California Super Lawyers list by Thomson Reuters, an honor bestowed on the top 5% of attorneys in Southern California who exhibit excellence in practice according to peer recognition and professional achievement.
Sandra received her J.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles. While in law school, she worked as a judicial extern law clerk for the Honorable Harry Pregerson of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal, and for the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office. Sandra participates in the UCLA Law Alumni Mentorship Program and helps to mentor law school students. She is also volunteering at the California Access to Justice Commission’s Unlawful Detainer Mediation Program aimed at facilitating quick resolutions, alleviating burdened court dockets, and promoting Covid-related rental assistance programs. Sandra is fluent in Spanish, French and Italian.
During her time off, Sandra enjoys traveling with her family, hiking with her yellow lab, cooking for and with her friends, and rooting for the LA Dodgers.
TESTIMONIALS
"For close to 10 years Sandra has been my go-to attorney for employment and contract law (W2 and 1040 type) as well as film and TV. Being in situations ranging from a bit tricky to completely fraught, Sandra has been a calming force. I know that all of the aspects concerning law are handled, and the issues are condensed to a set of personal choices I can make with clear eyes. I am grateful to have Sandra in my corner, she has been an excellent advocate."
M.B., Client
"I am emailing to say thank you for all the hard work you have done for us these past years, and I am so honored to have gotten to know you all personally and professionally. It has been a very interesting ride and I feel so much stronger after being a part of this."
J.M., Client
"Something to be said about Lawyers who balance the fine line of, exercising their knowledge of law and decision making as a Professional, and being able to translate that into layman's terms, for those of us who cringe at dealing with legalities, thank you Falchetti Law Firm! We truly appreciate your expertise and all around genuineness!"
L.R., Client
"[specifics re case]. Sandra called me back the same day and provided excellent advice and options. She wrote me a demand letter, and within 7 business days, I had a settlement offer. She is very professional and understanding and provided me exactly what I needed in a timely manner. I am going to refer her to all my friends and colleagues as I feel she is at the top of her game. Thank you Sandra!"
J.K., Client
"I have known Sandra since 2002 when my old firm hired her as an associate attorney. Sandra co-chaired sexual harassment and discrimination trials with me that resulted in favorable verdicts for our clients, and first-chaired a trial that also resulted in an unanimous verdict for our client. Her exceptional skill as an advocate has been noted by trial court judges. Sandra led our appellate team and successfully argued cases that have resulted in published opinions and important precedent establishing the rights of sexual harassment victims.
Through all of the years that I have had the pleasure of working with Sandra, she has been an outstanding advocate for our clients. She has extraordinary skills as a writer, researcher, trial attorney, appellate advocate and in giving wise counsel to hundreds of clients. It is rare to find an attorney who excels in all these areas of practice. I know Sandra is deeply committed to our system of equal justice under the law and will continue to be a tireless and effective advocate for her clients."
Matthew J. Matern, attorney
"I am elated to hear that Ms. Sandra Falchetti is opening her own solo practice. I have practiced as an attorney for thirteen years and during those years have had the pleasure of working with Ms. Falchetti on a trial and on an appellate brief. I can confidently state she is rarity in the legal profession. Not only is she a persuasive and brilliant writer (she is sharp as a tac), she is also empathetic and eminently capable of charting clients through the stresses of litigation. If I fall into any legal situation involving employment law in the future, she would be one of the first people I would contact and expect sage legal advice and compassionate guidance. I highly recommend her to anyone in need of advice and counsel."
Kiran Presad, attorney
RESULTS
VERDICT
Fuentes v. AutoZone
Female cashier wins unanimous verdict against her employer in sexual harassment case. Over $1 million paid in damages and fees. Two successful appeals helped to create case precedent and more clearly define what constitutes sexual harassment.
VERDICT
Ventura v. ABM
Janitorial worker prevailed against her former supervisor for sexual assault and secured a judgment of over $1 million. Several appellate victories resulted in important published opinions.
VERDICT
Rich v. Koi Restaurant
Waitress achieved victory in sexual harassment case against her employer, securing a judgement of over $500,000 in compensatory and punitive damages.
REVERSAL
Meeks v. AutoZone
Female store manager gets Court of Appeal to unanimously reverse a trial judge’s erroneous rulings that had precluded me-too evidence of sexual harassment. This resulted in an important published decision and a favorable settlement for the client.
NOTABLE
OUTCOMES
Seven-figure settlements on behalf of employees of all levels and industries, from female Hollywood writers to minority executives in the aerospace industry, in cases involving sexual harassment, race discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour claims, and more.
CONTACT
FALCHETTI LAW FIRM
OUR ADDRESS
For a free and confidential consultation, please call us or tell us about your case:
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