I lead Michael Trust Law, APC, with a commitment to delivering exceptional legal representation in employment law to both aggrieved employees and to employers. As a California-licensed attorney, I have spent decades addressing various workplace issues such as discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour disputes, whistleblower claims, and disability issues. I am also well-versed in helping with policies and procedures.
My 35-year career in human resources, combined with my legal skills, provides me with a comprehensive understanding of employment matters from both employer and employee perspectives.
My practice is founded on principles of fairness and achieving results. For employers, I provide compliance strategies, dispute resolution, and guidance to cultivate positive workplace environments. For employees, I am a passionate advocate, fighting for justice in cases of illegal treatment, wrongful termination, or other employment-related matters. As a California Certified Mediator, I employ a collaborative approach to resolving disputes, always keeping my clients’ best interests in focus.
My dedication to innovation and efficiency is clear in my use of technology to streamline legal services. I am also a respected educator, having taught courses in employment law and HR. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy spending time with my family, watching football, and viewing historical documentaries. My commitment to integrity, hard work, and client success has earned me the trust and praise of colleagues, clients, and industry professionals.
- Employment Law
- Employee Benefits, Employment Contracts, Employment Discrimination, ERISA, Overtime & Unpaid Wages, Sexual Harassment, Whistleblower, Wrongful Termination
- Free Consultation
- Credit Cards Accepted
- Contingent Fees
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Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
Some services are hourly when contingent fees are not appropriate.
- California
- State Bar of California
- ID Number: 356354
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- English: Spoken, Written
- Tagalog: Spoken, Written
- Special Counsel
- Confidential Law Firm (Employment) (part-time)
- - Current
- Attorney
- Michael Trust Law, APC (Employment)
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- HR & HR Executive Roles
- Various
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- Law Clerk
- M.L. Hall Law Group (Employment & General Law) (part-time)
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- Law Clerk
- Confidential Law Firm (Employment) (part-time)
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- Bar Certified Law Clerk & Law Clerk
- The Hall Law Offices (Employment & General Practice) (part-time)
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- Abraham Lincoln University School of Law
- J.D. (2023) | Law
- Honors: Cum Laude
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- University of Southern California
- M.P.A. (1993) | Public Administration (Management)
- Honors: Summa Cum Laude equivalent
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- California State University - Long Beach
- B.A. (1991) | Psychology
- Honors: Cum Laude
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- Top Contributor Award
- Avvo
- 5 Star Reviews
- Avvo
- Client's Choice Award
- Avvo
- South Bay Bar Association
- Memeber
- - Current
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- Capital Pro Bono
- Pro Bono Employment Attorney
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- Activities: Provide pro bono employment services.
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- State Bar of California # 356354
- Member
- - Current
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- Beverly Hills Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
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- California Lawyers Association
- Member
- - Current
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- Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA)
- Member
- - Current
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- Cal Chamber (HR California)
- Member
- - Current
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- Society for Human Resources Management
- Member
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- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Student Member
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- Human Resources Certification Institute - Ambassador Program (HRCI)
- Founding Member
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- National Human Resources Association (NHRA)
- Member
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- Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA)
- Member
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- Alchemizing HR: Your Formula for the New Era (contributor)
- Human Resources Certification Institute
- Michael Trust Law Blog
- Michael Trust Law
- Employment Law Essentials: Onboarding, Offboarding, and Everything In-Between, PRG Friday Coffee, Irvine, CA
- PRG
- Society for Human Resources Management - Senior Certified Professional - Human Resources (SHRM-SCP)
- Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)
- California Certified Mediator Under the California Dispute Resolution Act of 1986
- University of California, Irvine
- Professional in Human Resources - California (PHRca)
- Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI)
- Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)
- Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI)
- Q. How to pay sick leave to a part-time employee in CA?
- A: Hello. Your employee can only take paid sick leave to the extent they work. If they work 10 hours per week, then they can only use 10 hours of sick time. Sick time is designed to replace work time, so they can't take more than they would work.
- Q. Is paid under-the-table caregiving legal in Santa Barbara, CA?
- A: Hello. In short, no. Taxes aren’t being paid, you have no Labor Code or other legal protections. Of particular note, you have no workers' compensation coverage. Any of these issues alone are major, and can have major negative consequences for you. It's good that you both are now attempting to finalize a formal agreement, which should include clearly making you an employee. Good luck.
- Q. Is it legal for a board member to use employees for another company?
- A: Hello. As long as the Board approves it, and it's not ultra vires to the purpose of the original organization, it's legal. Now, if contracts are not being handled correctly or there's fraud, that's different. Good luck.
