Los Angeles Employment Law Blog

Roberleigh Richester began working for the Centinela Valley Union High School District in 1999. In 2008, he received the "Security of the Year" award at Lawndale High. In 2012, at age 63, he retired from the school district, claiming he had been discriminated against because of his age since he turned 60.

Richester is fighting back against his former employer. He has filed an employment discrimination lawsuit claiming age discrimination and is seeking damages for the four years of employment he lost, along with other damages. Richester had intended to retire at 67, but left the district at 63 after three years of harassment, discrimination and feeling targeted for discipline.

Forty former police officers of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) have taken up Police Chief Charlie Beck on his offer to review the files of officers who believe they were wrongfully terminated from the force.

Former officers should have received a letter from LAPD's Gerald Chaleff detailing the steps that must be taken to request a formal review of termination. A former officer requesting review of his or her termination must submit documentation as to why the personnel file should be reviewed within two months of receiving the letter from Chaleff.

With the loss of jobs that came with the economic downturn, some states are considering banning or at least placing a moratorium on enforcement of non-compete agreements. The ability to move between jobs or to take a new job within a chosen field, free from the restrictions of a non-compete agreement, would boost employment rates some believe.

Many point to California when extolling the virtues of disallowing non-competes in employment contracts. The success of Silicon Valley may very well be in the ability of highly-skilled employees to move between companies to find the right fit for themselves and their employers, rather than being artificially restricted to one employer in the area. Employees who are able to move are also able to share ideas and spread innovation moreso than those who are restricted by a non-compete.

Antonio de la Rua claimed in a recent lawsuit filed in California that his former employer and girlfriend, Shakira, owes him $100 million for the work that he did to launch her stardom. De la Rua began working for the singer/songwriter in 2005 and, despite the absence of an employment contract spelling out their working relationship, believes he deserves compensation for his role in Shakira's musical career.

According to the lawsuit, which was initially filed in New York and requested $250 million but was later withdrawn and refilled in California, de la Rua claims that he convinced Shakira to record her famous hit "Hips Don't Lie." That success of that song led to a $300 million deal with Live Nation. De la Rua claims that he was instrumental in building Shakira's musical brand.