standing up for the little guy is who we are

Representing employees harmed by businesses and government agencies is what we do. It’s what we love. It’s why we do it. We work from a place of compassion to motivate our fight.

Our need to stand up and stop wrongdoing motivated by greed, bias and retaliation motivates and energizes us. It’s who we are in the workplace, and in our lives.

We are a small firm, but we are fierce. We only select a small amount of employees each year so that we can give your case our all. We are not mill. Instead of a rinse-repeat factory-line approach to customers and the law, we dissect your case under our proverbial microscope to understand it so we can best leverage it. We review all documents you have, texts/emails/manuals/reviews/ and talk to witnesses to get testimony locked up usually before the defendant ever knows you’re coming after them. Your case is unique, and all parts of your case need to be organized into our arsenal.

Our Approach

We believe each client must be treated with care and respect. This is a frightening and difficult time when a person’s employment has ended or they are suffering abuses at work. We educate clients on their options every step of the way. Believe it or not - you have options! We look to find solutions that provide a holistic approach to your entire well-being.  This means weighing the values of various outcomes to find one that best fits your priorities. The goals and priorities of each individual client are unique. There is no one-size fits all approach.

We don’t leave you wondering what’s going on. No client ever feels they were left in the dark or not promptly responded to. Many firms don’t respond to client emails and calls. We aren’t that firm. You can text us or call us when you need, and you will get a prompt response.

Our interactions with you can be done remotely. Meeting at our office is only necessary for key events such as depositions and trials. The great majority of our cases resolve without us even filing a court complaint.

Litigation is a balancing of interests. Some clients have the energy for it, while others don't.  There is no One Size Fits All for our clients.  We will help you weigh your options to suit your priorities.

• Is a Fast Conclusion most important?

• Is getting your story told before a court or in other public settings your priority?

• Is getting the Maximum Value most important by going to trial? (This is the opposite of the fast conclusion option).

• Is Early Mediation well suited to your case? This will depend upon your supporting evidence, our access to confirming documents or witnesses.

• Is getting the employer to change their practices most important to you?

 Focus groups

We run focus groups on many of our cases that proceed to litigation. This helps us understand how a jury sees the facts of your case and how they value your case.

We keep you informed every step of the way!

As your case develops, informed choices must be made.  You play a key part in your choosing.

• Time, energy and expense are some considerations.  

• Risk/reward must be evaluated for particular motions and pursuit of evidence.

• Is the case law well established for the path we are considering or is it open and undetermined based on your key facts? We keep up to day with the shifting sands of employment related court decisions and legislative changes. In California, those shifts are often in the employees’ favor, and we need to ensure we are maximizing the value of your case by keeping current.

We talk through your options with you so you understand what is at stake with your priorities.

Our firm is committed to ensuring you are better off for having come to us for help.  Often one hears how an attorney made a bad situation even worse.   We strive to be your attorneys for life and the only way to do that is to do our best by you.  We are a referral based business with the bulk of referrals coming from prior clients and other attorneys. Sometimes even opposing counsel on cases refers their friends or family to us.  It's simple -  our success is based on your success.  We treat you the way we would want to be treated.

Pro bono & community activities

• Locklear, Farrell and Byrd are all members of CELA, California Employment Lawyers Association, a group whose membership is made up lawyers representing employees only. Locklear and Farrell volunteer on CELA’s Public Employees Committee, which focuses on employees working for government agencies as they have unique rights and laws affecting them.

• Locklear mentors new lawyers on how to run their own practices.

• Locklear helps other lawyers who represent employees run focus groups to understand their cases better

• Locklear launched human interest campaign on behalf of homeless person to prevent local government entity from removing artistic garden developed next to riverbed (Read Article)

• Locklear is President of Orange County People for Animals, a local nonprofit with the aim of educating people on institutionalized animal abuse to break the cycle.

• Locklear volunteered to provide thoughtful dinners at Isaiah House in Santa Ana, a homeless shelter for women

• Locklear was previous board member of LINC - Low Income Housing, a non profit focused on developing affordable housing for California low income residents, seniors and transition aged youth.