Practice Areas

DLO's experienced attorneys and staff recognize that employment disputes present significant financial exposure to employers. Our firm assists clients in complying with state and federal regulations and in drafting handbooks, policies and procedures. Our attorneys also present seminars and training sessions for management and employees in the areas of accommodation, harassment, discrimination, investigation and documentation. These seminars are extremely helpful to employers as they reflect the breadth of experience and diverse personal and professional backgrounds of our attorneys.

DLO also assists clients with pre-litigation matters by counseling management on how to avoid potential claims and investigate complaints arising in the workplace. DLO's attorneys prepare administrative filings to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), and other State agencies. Our attorneys regularly interact with agency investigators to respond to allegations and forestall unwarranted findings that may lead to on-going administrative oversight.

Our firm litigates claims in state and federal courts or in arbitration. We represent clients in actions alleging all types of employment claims as well as many adjunct claims that range from the enforceability of contracts to criminal sexual battery. Each of DLO's attorneys has been the lead counsel in major litigation, and all DLO attorneys have jury, trial and arbitration experience.

Areas of Expertise:

• Workplace Discrimination:
  • Age;
  • Disability / Medical Condition;
  • Gender;
  • Sexual Harassment;
  • Race; and
  • Retaliation;

• Termination:
  • Breach of employment contract;
  • Discharge in violation of public policy;
  • Retaliation for whistleblowing; and
  • Workforce reduction;

• Employment Disputes:
  • Disability accommodation;
  • Employment contracts;
  • Independent contractor v. Employee status;
  • Pregnancy, family and medical leaves; and
  • Wage and Benefit claims.

Advice and Counsel:

• Drafting employee handbooks/policy and procedures manuals;
• Drafting employment contracts;
• Conducting training seminars;
• Investigations; and
• Negotiating separation agreements.

For more information on how we can assist you with your employment law matter, please contact one of the experienced attorneys at Desouza Law Offices, PC now.

Representative Clients:

• Avitus, Inc.
• Buffets, Inc.
• Flynn Olympic Restaurants, LLC
• Kiddie Kandids, Inc.
• Lexington Insurance Company
• Pacific Plaza Hotels, Inc.
• P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Inc.
• PRB Enterprises, Inc.
• Eastopen, Inc.
• River Valley Enterprises