The RegistryCounty Record · California

Employment Attorneys in Santa Barbara County, California

Counsel for workers — termination, wages, harassment, and retaliation claims. In Santa Barbara County, that work runs through the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara. This directory presents employment records from official State Bar of California data in neutral order.

South Central Coast county whose 1929 Anacapa Street courthouse still hears live calendars; branch courts in Santa Maria serve the north county. Venue for most employment matters arising in the county lies with the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, seated at Santa Barbara.

Before comparing counsel, note the clock. Under Cal. Gov. Code § 12960, the governing period is three years to file a discrimination, harassment, or retaliation complaint with the Civil Rights Department. After the CRD issues a right-to-sue notice, suit must follow within one year (Cal. Gov. Code § 12965). Most wage claims reach back three years under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 338 — up to four via Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200.

This page is the Santa Barbara County chapter of the registry's statewide record — Employment Attorneys in California collects all 58 counties.

The clock & the court

Statute of limitations

Three years to file a discrimination, harassment, or retaliation complaint with the Civil Rights Department.

Cal. Gov. Code § 12960

After the CRD issues a right-to-sue notice, suit must follow within one year (Cal. Gov. Code § 12965). Most wage claims reach back three years under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 338 — up to four via Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200.

Court of record

Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara.

County seat: Santa Barbara

Official court information, locations, and filing rules: www.sbcourts.org

Employment · Santa Barbara County roster

131 attorneys on the official State Bar of California roll list employment among their practice areas with an address of record in Santa Barbara County.

127 of them hold an active licence; the remainder are recorded as inactive and are not currently eligible to practise.

The roster concentrates in Santa Barbara (103), Santa Maria (11), Goleta (10) and Carpinteria (3).

2 hold a State Bar Certified Legal Specialist designation — a certification issued by the State Bar's Board of Legal Specialization, and not a rating or a ranking.

8 are recorded as taking client work in a language other than English.

Admission years on this roster run from 1969 to 2025.

The employers most represented here are Mullen & Henzell LLP (6), Fauver, Large, Archbald & Spray, LLP (4) and Kirk & Simas (3).

Christine M. Adams

Business Litigation · Santa Barbara

Bar #200395 · Admitted 1999

Official record

Joshua S. Ajaman

Criminal Defense · Goleta

Bar #141769 · Admitted 1989

Official record

Julian F. Alwill

Business Litigation · Santa Barbara

Bar #259416 · Admitted 2008

Official record

Jill M. Ashcraft

Business Litigation · Santa Barbara

Bar #367298 · Admitted 2025

Official record

Melissa N. Avila

Employment · Santa Barbara

Bar #286487 · Admitted 2012

Official record

Cory T. Baker

Business Litigation · Santa Barbara

Bar #315763 · Admitted 2017

Official record

Brent R. Baldwin

Business Litigation · Goleta

Bar #249044 · Admitted 2007

Official record

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Employment questions, cited

Can I be fired without a reason in California?

Usually yes — Cal. Lab. Code § 2922 presumes employment is at-will, meaning either side may end it at any time. But the reason cannot be unlawful: termination based on a protected characteristic (Cal. Gov. Code § 12940), for whistleblowing (Cal. Lab. Code § 1102.5), for taking protected leave, or in violation of public policy supports a wrongful termination claim despite at-will status.

How long do I have to sue for wrongful termination or discrimination?

For claims under the Fair Employment and Housing Act, you generally have three years from the unlawful act to file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (Cal. Gov. Code § 12960), then one year from the right-to-sue notice to file in court (Cal. Gov. Code § 12965). Common-law wrongful termination claims run two years under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1.

What overtime pay am I owed in California?

Non-exempt employees earn 1.5× their regular rate after 8 hours in a day or 40 in a week, and 2× after 12 hours in a day, under Cal. Lab. Code § 510. California's daily overtime rule is broader than federal law. Misclassification as "exempt" or as an independent contractor (tested under Lab. Code § 2775's ABC test) is a frequent source of unpaid-overtime claims.

When must my final paycheck be paid after I quit or am fired?

Immediately at termination if you are discharged (Cal. Lab. Code § 201), or within 72 hours if you quit without notice (Cal. Lab. Code § 202). A willfully late final paycheck accrues waiting-time penalties of a full day's wages for each day late, up to 30 days, under Cal. Lab. Code § 203.

Is it illegal for my employer to retaliate against me for reporting violations?

Yes. Cal. Lab. Code § 1102.5 prohibits retaliation against an employee who reports conduct they reasonably believe violates a law or regulation — internally or to a government agency. Separate anti-retaliation rules protect wage complaints (Lab. Code § 98.6) and discrimination complaints (Gov. Code § 12940(h)). Remedies can include reinstatement, lost pay, and civil penalties.

Legal information, not legal advice.

From the answer files

Employment by city in Santa Barbara County

Related counsel in Santa Barbara County

Employment in nearby counties

Source: Cal. Gov. Code § 12960 · State Bar of California licensee records · Checked: · Maintained by the California Attorney Registry from official State Bar of California records. Legal information, not legal advice.

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278,688 attorneys · 58 counties · Official State Bar records