John W. Dalton

California Bar No. 183685

Read Time: 4 minutes

A housekeeper at a Los Angeles hotel loses her regular floors after reporting a supervisor’s sexual comments. An employer assigns a warehouse employee near Ontario to undesirable shifts after they request a disability accommodation. A Bay Area sales representative returns from protected leave to find that someone else now controls her strongest accounts. Each worker may suspect the employer crossed a line, yet still hesitate to call because the facts feel messy and the legal process feels remote.

Speaking to a California employment lawyer in a free consultation can make that process less intimidating. During the call, you can explain what changed, when it happened, who made the decision, and how the employer responded when concerns arose. An experienced attorney such as John Dalton can then assess those facts under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act, retaliation laws, wage protections, and other state rules.

Before confronting management, filing a government complaint, or trying to shape the story yourself, contact the Law Office of John Dalton. John personally speaks with callers, has recovered over $100 million for California workers, and helps people understand whether their experience may support a claim before an avoidable step makes the situation harder.

What Should You Expect During an Employment Lawyer Free Consultation in California?

When you call the Law Office of John Dalton, you don’t need to already know whether you have a lawsuit. You don’t even need to know whether what happened was harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or wrongful termination. John’s job is to listen, ask the right questions, and determine which facts matter under California law.

During the conversation, John may ask about:

  • Where you work—whether you work for a Los Angeles hotel, a Long Beach shipping company, a Central Valley agricultural employer, or an Inland Empire warehouse, since different industries often create different employment issues;
  • Your job history—how long you’ve worked there, how your employer viewed your performance before the problem began, and whether you previously received positive evaluations, promotions, raises, or additional responsibilities;
  • What changed—whether your employer reduced your hours, reassigned lucrative accounts, removed desirable shifts, denied accommodations, changed your reporting structure, or terminated your employment after a protected activity;
  • Who made the decisions—whether the conduct involved an owner, supervisor, manager, human resources representative, or another employee with authority over your job;
  • The timeline—when the conduct began, what happened next, and whether important employment decisions closely followed a complaint, pregnancy announcement, disability accommodation request, protected leave, or whistleblower report;
  • Available records—whether emails, text messages, Slack or Microsoft Teams messages, schedules, payroll records, performance reviews, disciplinary notices, witnesses, or other documents help explain what happened; and
  • Your objectives—whether you hope to keep your job, negotiate a resolution, recover financial losses, or simply understand your rights before deciding what to do next.

Many callers discover that the legal issue isn’t what they expected. Someone who believes they have a harassment claim may have a stronger retaliation case. Another person may focus on termination when the more important facts involve months of discriminatory treatment leading up to it. That’s why John spends time understanding the entire story rather than jumping to conclusions after hearing about one event.

FAQ About Working with an Employment Lawyer

When It Comes to Harassment or Discrimination Cases, How Much Does an Employment Lawyer Cost in California?

No matter the case type or claim, the answer to this question depends on how the lawyer charges. Many California employment attorneys represent workers on a contingency-fee basis, which means the client does not pay attorney fees upfront. Instead, the lawyer receives an agreed percentage of any settlement or court recovery. Some firms may also charge hourly fees or require payment for certain services, so the attorney or firm should always explain the fee arrangement clearly before representation begins.

What Information Should I Have Ready Before Calling an Employment Lawyer?

You do not need to have every document organized before calling the Law Office of John Dalton. If you have helpful information such as emails, text messages, performance reviews, schedules, or termination paperwork, you can mention them during the conversation. The most important thing is being able to explain what happened, when it happened, and who was involved.

How Do I Know If My Harassment or Discrimination Case Is Worth Pursuing in California?

You don’t have to answer that question on your own. Speaking with John Dalton is the best way to understand whether your facts support a claim and what options are available.

How Quickly Should I Contact an Employment Lawyer After Harassment or Discrimination at Work in California?

The sooner you contact the Law Office of John Dalton, the better. Early legal guidance can help you keep up with deadlines and avoid mistakes that sometimes make otherwise strong cases more difficult to pursue. 

Looking for a California Employment Attorney with a Free Consultation to Review Your Claim? Contact the Law Office of John Dalton Today

If you have experienced harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, or another serious workplace problem, you do not have to decide on your own whether the facts support a claim. Calling John Dalton can help you understand how California law applies, identify issues you may not have recognized, and avoid early decisions that could make the situation harder to resolve.

John has devoted decades to representing California employees against powerful employers. He has recovered over $100 million for clients, handled hundreds of employment matters, and served as trial counsel in cases that produced some of the largest sexual harassment verdicts in California. His work has also drawn national media attention. 

Just as important, John remains personally accessible. He answers calls himself, listens carefully, and treats the practice of law as a public service rather than an assembly line. Clients turn to him because he takes the time to explain the law and stands beside workers who feel outmatched by large companies and well-funded legal teams. 

Contact the Law Office of John Dalton today for a free case review. Whether you are ready to pursue a claim or simply need an experienced California employment attorney to assess what happened, John will give your situation the serious, personal attention it deserves.

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    About the Author

    John W. Dalton

    John W. Dalton

    California Bar No. 183685

    Admitted to the California Bar in 1996, John W. Dalton has spent his career representing employees in sex and gender discrimination and sexual harassment cases. He was trial counsel in Gober v. Ralphs Grocery, which produced a verdict of over $30 million, among the largest sexual harassment verdicts in the country, and has litigated hundreds of discrimination cases with tens of millions in settlements. His cases have been featured on Primetime Live and PBS. Before practicing law, he served with the CIA.

    “I highly respect John and his dedication and integrity. You will not be disappointed.” John Dalton went to work for me and delivered great results. I wasn’t sure what to do and when I found John, he explained everything nicely and he was able to get me the settlement I truly deserved. He was easy to work with and I always felt like I was kept in the loop - it was really fantastic service all around. - Steve K.
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