Michael R Trust
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35+ Years of HR Experience + Law License = Your Advantage
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
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- 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)
- - Current
- 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
- - Current
- 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
- - Current
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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
- 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. Should we be compensated for restrictive on-call shifts with limited activities and no pay unless called?
- A: Hello. If your activities are restricted while on call, you're entitled to on call pay. Document every on call shift for which you were not paid. Same for the break between shifts, which also likely triggers split shift pay. You can file a complaint with the DLSE (but they're 2-3 years behind) or if significant enough to be economically viable for you, you can hire an employment attorney. Most of us offer a free consultation. You can find us here on this site. Good luck.
- Q. Employer pressured me to resign; experienced verbal abuse, anxiety, and no severance. What actions can I take?
- A: Hello,
If you have no documentation, it's going to be difficult to prove your allegations. It's unlikely that you will have friendly witnesses as well. "Bullying" which is largely what you describe here isn't protected legally. You might have a claim, if you can prove it with evidence, of a constructive discharge. You might also have a claim, if you can prove it, of disability discrimination. Any mental health issues are likely covered by workers' compensation (except in some very narrow circumstances), and that statute of limitation clock is ticking, so if that's in fact the case, I suggest that you have a consultation with a workers' comp attorney ... Read More
- Q. Legal actions against employee retaliation by lying & reporting at work?
- A: Hello. HR is your best solution, even with your concerns. If HR doesn't handle it, then escalate it. There's really no legal issue at this time. Good luck.
