Santa Barbara Employment Lawyers

Lara is an associate attorney at Blackstone Law. She graduated from Wake Forest University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a concentration in Criminal Justice and a minor in Communications. Lara then earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles where she specialized in Critical Race Studies. While in law school, Lara worked as a law clerk at the District of Columbia Public Defender Service and as a judicial clerk in the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Hearings Unit in Los Angeles. She was involved with the El Centro Teen Court Clinic, Disability Law Journal,...

Alex Favela serves as the firm’s Pre-Litigation Attorney and specializes in disputes involving wage and hour violations, misclassification, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, failure to accommodate violations, and class actions. Alex received his J.D. from Stanford Law School. As a child of immigrant working-class parents, upholding the dignity of workers is central to Alex’s identity as a lawyer. A person’s job is their livelihood, and Alex strongly believes that workers deserve to be treated with respect and fairness. Before joining the firm, Alex represented workers at a respected employment plaintiff-side law firm. He has also clerked for the U.S. Office of Special...

Ms. Gold is an experienced litigation attorney who specializes in class action labor and employment matters. She spent the first decade of her career at a major law firm working on a wide range of business matters, including defending clients in high-stakes class action litigation. This experience provided Ms. Gold with valuable insight on how to best position cases for settlement and/or trial by allowing her to better understand defendants’ strategies, incentives, and motivations throughout the various phases of litigation. Ms. Gold then transitioned to a well-known boutique plaintiff-side class action law firm, where she was instrumental in obtaining nearly $100,000,000...

Danielle L. GruppChang is a passionate advocate for workers’ rights and a seasoned attorney specializing in wage and hour class actions. Raised in a family where both parents worked in the restaurant industry, Ms. GruppChang developed an early respect for the hard work and resilience of the Californian workers. This background exposed Ms. GruppChang the struggles of working-class individuals sparked her dedication to fighting for justice on behalf of workers. Ms. GruppChang’s professional journey began when she started working at a local coffee shop and continued throughout college where she worked tables, often serving her classmates. These experiences further resolved her...

Leo Livshits is an accomplished employment attorney with extensive trial and litigation experience. Mr. Livshits handles a wide variety of employment matters involving workplace discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other civil rights violations. Aside from securing numerous seven-figure settlements in single-plaintiff cases, Mr. Livshits has co-chaired jury trials and arbitrations that resulted in verdicts or judgments of $155.4 million, $2.7 million, $1.7 million, and $1 million. Additionally, Mr. Livshits has successfully litigated appeals in state and federal court. This includes a published decision in Hernandez v. Meridian Management Services, LLC (2023) 87 Cal.App.5th 1214, where the California Court of Appeal found that...

Michael Akopyan received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California in 2001 and his law degree from Southwestern Law School in 2005. Before establishing his own firm in 2009, Michael worked as an associate attorney with Keith Fink & Associates and Solomon, Saltsman & Jamieson, where he represented both plaintiffs and defendants in a broad spectrum of cases including employment cases, personal injury cases, civil rights cases, business disputes, and administrative proceedings. Michael has successfully represented clients in civil and administrative trials and appeals.

Michael has recovered millions of dollars for his clients. He was named to the CaliforniaRising...

Betty is an associate attorney at Blackstone Law. She graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and a minor in Armenian Studies. While in undergrad, Betty, along with fellow classmates, started the Armenian Pre-Law Students Association, to connect Armenian students aspiring to become attorneys to successful alumni within their community. A proud double Bruin, Betty later attended UCLA School of Law, where she obtained her Juris Doctorate. As a law student, Betty’s professor recognized her articulate writing abilities and selected her as a Legal Research and Writing Advisor for first...

Annabel Blanchard is an associate attorney who represents individuals in wage and hour class actions and representative actions under the California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). Prior to joining Blackstone, PC, Ms. Blanchard worked at a respected plaintiff’s-side employment law firm, where she focused on obtaining court approval of large-scale class and PAGA settlements. Before practicing wage-and-hour employment law, Ms. Blanchard worked at boutique law firms providing estate planning services to families, with a focus on special needs planning and conservatorship. As a part of her estate planning practice, Ms. Blanchard served on the Los Angeles Superior Court “Court Appointed...

Ani M. Akopyan received her bachelor’s degree, with honors, from UCLA in 2001 and her law degree from Southwestern Law School in 2004. Since law school, Ani has worked exclusively in the field of labor and employment litigation. Prior to joining the Akopyan Law Firm, Ani was a member of a well-known, reputable defense firm where she represented employers and their insurance companies in all stages of labor and employment litigation including wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and whistle-blower litigation, as well as high stakes wage & hour class action cases. Ani’s 10+ years of experience in defending employers both...

Mr. Choe began his legal career in workers’ compensation representing insurance companies and employers. As a defense attorney, he became well versed in the nuances of worker’s compensation laws allowing him to aggressively represent his clients. The Law Offices of Anthony Choe was founded to provide the same aggressive representation to injured workers. Mr. Choe is able to use his experience in dealing with insurance companies and employers for the benefit of injured workers to effectively obtain medical treatment and maximize recovery. What sets the Law Offices of Anthony Choe apart from other firms...

Cyndie M. Chang is the Managing Partner of the firm's Los Angeles office and a member of the firm's governing Partners Board. Ms. Chang manages risks and resolves business challenges. She advises and partners with clients to defend them in commercial disputes, enforce their rights, mitigate exposure, and litigate their commercial disputes. She has often handled corporate litigation involving mergers & acquisitions, asset or stock sales, fraud, securities, purchase and sale agreements, business or partner break-ups. She also has handle many other complex or class action disputes involving contracts, trademarks, licensing, products liability, product safety and recall, construction defect, trade...

Eanet, PC is a boutique law firm located in Los Angeles, California, concentrating in business litigation, real estate litigation, and labor and employment litigation. We represented clients in litigation throughout California State and Federal Courts, including in Los Angeles County, Orange County, Ventura County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County. Eanet, PC started with a single idea: provide a group of clients with the highest caliber legal representation available. The firm's goals are simple: meet each client’s unique needs and obtain winning outcomes. The practice is based on the tenet that every client is the most important client. Eanet, PC’s practice areas...

The Law Office of Eugene Lee is committed to representing employees in California who seek to protect their legal rights in the workplace. We are located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles and serve the surrounding communities.

I act as my clients outside general counsel and advise them on the full range of legal issues facing their businesses. In addition, I mediate both litigated and non-litigated matters and do workplace investigations. I built my reputation by achieving outstanding results for the clients and colleagues with whom I have been privileged to work.

Mizrahi Law, APC is an employment law firm committed to helping employees.

Gavril "Gav" Gabriel was born and raised in Downey, California, attending the public school system in Downey from Kindergarten through High School. Soon after graduating high school, he played football at the University of Redlands, eventually becoming a Preseason All-American. He also played football in Berlin, Germany for the Berlin Adler (Eagles) while studying abroad. After graduating from the University of Redlands, Gav attended Whittier Law School, where he made the Dean's list and excelled in Legal Writing, Sports Law and International Law. While at Whittier Law School, Gav was a judicial clerk in the Orange County Superior Court and certified...

Alex is a Senior Associate Attorney at Blackstone Law. Alex is an active member of the legal community as it relates to employees’ rights. Alex is a member of the California Employment Lawyers’ Association (CELA), and is on the committee for the Mentor Committee, the Women’s Committee, the Legislative Committee, the Wage and Hour Committee, and the New Member Committee, as well as a recent admit to the 2024 – 2025 CELA Leadership Conservatory. Alex has significant experience providing the best counsel for his clients, whether through trial, or through multimillion dollar settlements, or through whatever need the client may describe....

Ms. Schimmel’s practice is dedicated to employment litigation matters on behalf of California employees. More than half of Ms. Schimmel’s experience has been focused on representing employees in wage and hour class and representative actions for labor code violations (including, but not limited to, claims unpaid overtime, minimum wages, expense reimbursement, meal and rest period), as well as consumer and privacy right matters. Ms. Schimmel’s experience also includes representing employees in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment and retaliation matters against employers who violate California law. She has successfully prosecuted and resolved hundreds of cases. Prior to joining Blackstone, Ms. Schimmel...

P.J. Van Ert is a seasoned trial lawyer and civil litigator specializing in class actions and individual employment matters. As a Blackstone law associate she dedicates her practice to California employees. After more than 75 criminal jury trials during thirteen years as a deputy district attorney, she transitioned to civil litigation and found her way to Blackstone. From wage and hour theft to sexual harassment and hostile work environment, she is able to utilize her years of zealously advocating for victims of crime to get superior results in employment cases. Ms. Van Ert has earned guilty verdicts in lengthy homicide...

Associate Michael Kent practices in all areas of civil litigation, including employment law, personal and catastrophic injury, professional liability and civil rights discrimination.

I entered Loyola Law School’s evening program in September 1968 where during my tenure I represented indigent people as part of the school’s law clinic program. Also, having excelled in legal writing and moot court competition, finishing as a semi finalist, I was, in my last year as a student given a Teaching Fellowship where I was privileged to teach first year law students the basics of legal writing and prepare them for moot court competition. While in law school I was employed full time by the American Arbitration Association as Assistant to the Regional Director where I was able...

Call Today for a Free Phone Consultation (805) 267-1171 or Email at Michael@LabrumLaw.com.

The Law Offices of Michael Labrum offer affordable legal services which provide exceptional value to you. Your legal issues receive substantial individualized care and consideration leaving you feeling as if you're the only client and not just another billable hour like at large law firms. By utilizing uniquely designed alternative fee structuring, you're provided with the flexibility you need to receive quality legal representation and advice while respecting you're budget and bottom line.

Trust, confidence, and loyalty are the guiding principles of the legal representation and...

Brett Markson is a Santa Clarita employment law attorney with considerable experience practicing law. He originally gained his law degree in 1991 from Hastings College of the Law, and since that time he has continued to expand his comprehension of the law and to gain valuable experience that assists him in better handling the cases of his clients. He has formerly served as a prosecutor and this is an experience that has given him the aptitude to take cases to court when necessary. He takes the time to listen to his clients and thoroughly prepares their cases for any direction...

Attorney Lee of Law Offices of Lloyd Lee, P.C. provides business and corporate legal counsel to entrepreneurs and representation for personal injury victims. He is a graduate of the Temple James E. Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia, one of the best litigation schools in the nation. Attorney Lee is passionate about advocating for the local community, including serving as the current President-Elect of the Korean American Bar Association of Southern California. He regularly provides pro-bono legal support to disadvantaged members of the community and speaks out on important issues affecting local residents.

Ethan D. Kirschner is an experienced litigator with clients in California, throughout the United States, and overseas. Originally from Wisconsin, Mr. Kirschner was a champion high school and college debater. He has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Michigan, graduated cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School, and received an LL.M. in intellectual property law from the University of California, Berkeley.


Mr. Kirschner has been practicing law since 2005. He is licensed to practice law in California.

Laura Horton is a seasoned advocate, dedicated to social justice. With nearly three decades of experience, she represents employees from all walks of life – from factory workers to highly compensated executives. Helping to right wrongs is her passion.

In April 2001, Ms. Horton opened her own firm, practicing exclusively in civil rights, labor and employment law and serious personal injury.

Ms. Horton is admitted to practice by the State Bar of California; United States Supreme Court; United States District Court, Central District; District of Hawaii; and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. She is...

David P. Warren, Esq., is an experienced trial attorney, advocate and negotiator, bringing more than thirty-three years of experience, tenacity and dedication to his practice. Mr. Warren's practice has long emphasized diverse employment matters and contract negotiations. His practice includes: - Wrongful Termination in Violation of Public Policy - Harassment Based Upon Age, Sex, Race, Religious Creed, Color National Origin, Marital Status, and Disability - Termination or Retaliation Based Upon Age, Sex, Race, Religious Creed, Color, National Origin, Marital Status, and Disability - Retaliation for engaging in protected practices, presenting or supporting discrimination/harassment claims - Disability Discrimination - Termination or demotion as a...

Wm. Todd Berry received his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas Tech University. He received his Juris Doctor from California Pacific School of Law. Todd began his legal career working for several Bakersfield law firms representing clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases. Since that time, he has devoted himself to representing injured workers before the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board. Todd is a member of the State Bar of California, the Kern County Bar Association, the Fresno County Bar Association and the California Applicants' Attorneys Association.

In practice since 1996, attorney and firm co-founder Eric B. Kingsley has litigated complex cases and authored numerous appellate briefs in both state and federal court on behalf of the California law firm of Kingsley & Kingsley, including over 150 class actions. Mr. Kingsley concentrates his practice on wage and hour litigation and is currently handling several class actions regarding the failure to pay wages, including overtime and the denial of break or meal periods. In addition, to wage and hour litigation, Eric handles the claims of individuals who have been wrongfully terminated or sexually harassed in the work...

Attorney Stacey Cutting brings ample amounts of experience and skills to Schimmel & Parks, APLC and is a devoted Southern California civil litigation lawyer. While she highly skilled in various areas of law, Attorney Cutting focuses much of her practice handling cases involving construction defects, personal injury, employment law, insurance bad faith, and consumer class actions. She plays an essential role in the discovery processes of cases, completes trial preparations, creates motion papers, and assists with various key parts of litigation processes. Before committing her life to judiciary work, Attorney Cutting attended California State University, Northridge, where she earned her...