Neil Pedersen

Neil is a 30-year litigator who aggressively advocates employee rights against medium sized and large employers. Neil is also an adjunct professor of law, teaching employment law and law practice management. He is highly respected among his peers and by his former clients. He has been named a Southern California Super Lawyer and one of the Best Employers in Orange County several years running. He was named Attorney of the Year by the State Bar Solo and Small Firm Section in 2016. He has tried several significant matters to settlements and judgments in the high six-figure and the seven figure ranges.Neil's Orange County law firm represents employees in all Southern California courts, including the federal courts located therein. He is equally comfortable arbitrating disputes.

• Employment Law

• Free Consultation
• Contingent Fees
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  My firm advances all costs of litigation and seeks no fees or up front costs to handle your case. To determine if we can assist, we engage in substantial up-front analysis and investigation at no charge to you. To get started you need to contact the Intake Manager at the firm.

California

Since 1989

Senior Principal

Pedersen Law APC

2000 - Current

Vice-President of Human Resources/General Counsel

QuantumLink Corporation, Torrance, CA

1998 - 1999

Vice-President of Corporate Policy/General Counsel

QuantumLink Corporation, Torrance, CA

1998 - 1998

Principal

Pedersen & Black, a Professional Law Corporation, Newport Beach, CA

1994 - 1998

Senior Associate Attorney

Ford & Pedersen, Los Angeles, CA

1990 - 1994

Associate Attorney

Walker, Kendrick & Jackson, Newport Beach, CA

1987 - 1990

Western State Univ

Undergraduate Degree

Western State Univ COL

Law Degree

Distinguished Alumni Award

Western State Law Review

2018

Attorney of the Year

California State Bar Solo and Small Firm Section

2016

Client's Choice Award

Avvo.com

2016

Named a “Top 100 Employment Lawyer”

The National Advocates

2015

Super Lawyer

Thompson Reuters publications

2015

Awarded in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

California State Bar  # 139262

Member

1989 - Current

Mandatory Harassment Training is Expanded to Include Small and Medium-Size Firms

California State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section’s E-News

November, 2018

Beware Treating Disabled Employees the Same as Everyone Else

California State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section’s E-News

September, 2018

New Laws That Will Affect Law Office Employers

California State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section’s E-News

February, 2018

Reducing Stress in the Practice of Law: Some Practical Tips – Part Three in a Recurring Series

California State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section’s E-News

January, 2018

Reducing Stress in the Practice of Law: Some Practical Tips – Part Two in a Recurring Series

California State Bar Law Practice Management and Technology Section’s E-News

January, 2018

Ethical Issues Presented by the Cyber-Security Threat to the Small Firm or Solo Practitioner , A one-hour presentation to the Los Angeles County Bar Association Intellectual Property Section

October 19, 2017

Los Angeles County Bar Association Intellectual Property Section

The Prospective Client and Beyond, Client Interviews to Identify Problem Clients and Avoid Potential Pitfalls During the Representation , A one-hour presentation to the Peter M. Elliott American Inn of Court

November 9, 2017

Time Management and Proper Delegation , “Jump Start Your Law Practice,” a three-day conference held in Indianapolis, Indiana

November 20, 2017

Money, Fees, and Pricing (Making Your Money Work for You) , “Start Your Law Practice,” a three-day conference held in Indianapolis, Indiana

November 19, 2017

Employee Hiring, Firing, and Management , A one-hour presentation at “Start Your Law Practice,” a three-day conference held in Indianapolis, Indiana

November 18, 2017

Q. Can a company reduce your pay rate and hours so they don't have to pay the correct overtime rate?

6 July 2020

A: Your question lacks enough specificity to give you a reliable answer. Your employer has the right to change your pay rate as long as the reduction does not bring the rate below the minimum wage, and as long as the change is made only after telling the employee the rate is being reduced. Overtime premium is paid based on the regular rate of pay. It is hard to understand your question. The employer can reduce the pay rate so that they do not have to pay a higher overtime premium, again, as long as the employer informs the employee of the change before the work is performed. Good luck to you.

Q. I filed a claim for unemployment and later realized I wasn’t eligible.

6 July 2020

A: You are going to either continue to try calling the EDD (people are getting through albeit with great effort and persistence) or go to the EDD office. Good luck to you.

Q. Can an employer fire an employee of that employee calls the police because they suspect a crime is happening?

6 July 2020

A: There is nothing unlawful about the employer terminating an employee for doing something that the employer believes would bring ill repute or other consequences down on the store. Employees, when employed, so not necessarily have the same rights they would if they were simply a person on the street. Employers have the right to protect the company reputation and image. Since the purported criminal activity was not directed at your sister, the would be no public policy reason why it would be unlawful for the employer to act as it did. Good luck to you and to your sister.