Although California law is structured so that employees can represent themselves, which makes it unnecessary to hire an attorney to file a claim, it is recommended that you contact an attorney to help you with that claim process and make sure someone stands up for you.
Deciding to proceed legally without an attorney can be extremely unwise and even dangerous. You are dealing in a forum completely unknown to you and you will try to litigate against lawyers who are usually aggressive and will know how to exploit to the maximum any area in which you are not fully prepared. They will wait for you to miss deadlines, and they will wait for you to provide inadequate answers, and then they will use that opportunity to try to get the case dismissed or even dismissed altogether.
The next step is to find a lawyer that really suits the needs of your case, this means not only choosing a lawyer specialized in the employment situation that you believe goes against your rights, but also knowing how to choose a lawyer who has the necessary resources to stand up to your employer.
Your employment situation is another aspect to consider at the moment. It is important to remember that any rights you have as an employee will survive termination or resignation. If you have, for example, a wage claim of some kind (underpaid overtime, unpaid wages, meal breaks) whether you quit or are fired for whatever reason, you will always be able to assert your rights.
For every group of employees who hold on to a job despite experiencing injustice in their jobs, there is a smaller subgroup of employees who have quit their jobs, wondering what effect any legal action they try to take might have. Our offices are here for every employee, and we will know how to design a strategy that adapts to your situation and needs. Contact Us.