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. Employer concerns on providing testimony for employee's family court case
- A: Hello. Same answer that was posted to the similar question a few minutes ago: talk with your HR or Legal Departments.
New addition: If you don't have either or both of those departments, then consider what your concerns are. Consider how anything you say could come back to bite you. For example, suppose you're asked "what is the likelihood of continued employment" and you answer "very good" and then you decide to let this person go? That testimony could come back to bite you. You could simply call the attorney who is subpoenaing you and ask them for more details, and tell them that you will have very little to say (assuming that's true) and are not interested ... Read More
- Q. Can boss text PHI to personal phone, against policy?
- A: Hello. Report this to your organizations ethics or compliance officer as a possible violation of HIPAA. Insofar as using your own phone, you should be reimbursed for that work-related expense. If you haven't been, consider talking with HR or Payroll about that. For one text, I wouldn't worry about it, but if it's an ongoing issue, this is a reimbursable item under the Labor Code. Good luck.
- Q. Defending against ex-employee's legal demand after NDA breach and termination.
- A: Hello. She has a right (and with her authorization, her attorney on her behalf) to a full and complete copy of her personnel and payroll files. See Labor Code Sections 226 and 1198.5. It may be nothing; if you did everything correctly, you probably have nothing to worry about.
