Wrongful Termination Lawyer in Santa Barbara

Name: Bamieh & De Smeth PLC
Telephone: (805)643-5555
Price range: Free Consultation
Rating: 4.6

Losing your job unfairly isn’t just stressful—it can derail your entire career. Our Santa Barbara wrongful termination attorneys are ready to stand up for your rights and hold your employer accountable.

Fighting for Employees Wrongfully Terminated in Santa Barbara

When you dedicate your time, skills, and loyalty to an employer, you deserve to be treated fairly. Unfortunately, wrongful termination still occurs far too often, leaving hardworking individuals struggling with financial hardship, emotional distress, and damaged professional reputations. At The Law Offices of Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC, we believe that no employee should be fired for unlawful reasons. Our Santa Barbara employment attorneys are passionate about protecting workers' rights and fighting back against employers who engage in illegal retaliation, discrimination, or harassment. If you believe you were wrongfully terminated, we are ready to help you seek justice.

What is Considered Wrongful Termination in Santa Barbara?

California is an "at-will" employment state, which means employers can generally terminate workers at any time and for almost any reason. However, there are important legal exceptions—and when an employer fires an employee for an illegal reason, it qualifies as wrongful termination.

You may have a valid wrongful termination claim if you were fired for:

1. Whistleblowing

Speaking out about illegal or unethical practices should never cost you your job. If you reported your employer to a government agency, law enforcement, or even internally to management about potential legal violations, you are protected under California labor laws.

Common examples include:

Reporting environmental law violations
Reporting financial misconduct or securities fraud
Reporting workplace safety issues or health code breaches

California law—and federal laws like the Sarbanes-Oxley Act—protect whistleblowers from retaliation, including termination.

2. Reporting or Resisting Workplace Harassment

If you confronted harassment at work—whether based on gender, race, religion, or another protected characteristic—you are shielded by the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Wrongful termination can occur when an employee is fired for:

Reporting sexual harassment to a supervisor
Filing a formal harassment complaint
Speaking out against a toxic, discriminatory workplace culture

Employers cannot legally terminate you for standing up for your rights or supporting others who do.

3. Constructive Discharge (Forced Resignation)

Sometimes, employers create conditions so intolerable that employees feel they have no choice but to quit. This is known as constructive discharge, and it can legally be treated the same as wrongful termination.

Signs of constructive discharge include:

Unreasonable changes in job duties
Impossible performance expectations
Hostile or abusive treatment after reporting misconduct
Deliberate isolation or demotion without cause

If your employer made your work environment unbearable in retaliation or discrimination, you may still have a claim even if you technically resigned.

4. Political Activities and Free Speech

In California, employees are protected from wrongful termination based on their political beliefs or activities, even if they work for private companies.

This protection covers activities such as:

Participating in protests or demonstrations
Expressing political opinions outside of work
Supporting or opposing political candidates

Firing an employee for exercising these rights can lead to serious legal consequences for employers.

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How Our Santa Barbara Wrongful Termination Lawyers Can Help

Proving wrongful termination isn’t always easy. Employers often try to hide unlawful motives behind vague explanations or manufactured performance issues. Our experienced attorneys know how to uncover the truth. When you work with Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC, we will:

Conduct a thorough investigation into your firing
Gather evidence of retaliation, discrimination, or pretext
Negotiate aggressively for a favorable settlement
Take your case to court if necessary to pursue full damages

We offer compassionate counsel and fierce advocacy because we understand how devastating it is to lose a job unfairly. You deserve accountability, and we are here to deliver it.

Contact Our Santa Barbara Wrongful Termination Attorneys Today

If you or someone you love was wrongfully terminated in Santa Barbara, don’t wait to get legal advice. There are strict deadlines for filing claims, and early action gives you the best chance to protect your rights and rebuild your future. Call The Law Offices of Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC at (805) 643-5555 or contact us online to schedule your free, confidential consultation today. Stand up against injustice—let us fight for you.