Racial Discrimination One Team. One Goal.

Racial Discrimination Lawyer in Pasadena

We Know How Employers Build Their Defenses. We Use That Against Them.

Founded in 2006 and based in Pasadena, California, Law Offices of Paul P. Cheng & Associates handles racial discrimination claims for employees across the region. Our attorneys represent both workers pursuing discrimination claims and employers managing compliance, which means we understand how employers build their defenses and how to counter them on your behalf.

If you believe you’ve been treated unfairly at work because of your race, call us at (888) 356-4937. We offer free consultations and a 24/7 Chinese-language hotline.

What Counts as Racial Discrimination Under the Law

Two laws protect Pasadena employees from race discrimination. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 covers employers with fifteen or more employees. California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) is broader, applying to employers with five or more employees and often providing protections that exceed federal standards.

Both laws prohibit unfavorable treatment based on race or on characteristics associated with race, including skin color, hair texture, and facial features. Discrimination can occur in hiring, pay, promotions, job assignments, layoffs, and termination. There are two recognized forms:

Disparate treatment: An employer treats an employee differently because of race, whether the bias is explicit or implied.
Disparate impact: A workplace policy appears neutral but disproportionately disadvantages employees of a particular race without a legitimate business reason, even when no discriminatory intent exists.

A racially hostile work environment is also unlawful when conduct is severe or pervasive enough to change the conditions of employment. This includes racial slurs, derogatory remarks, and sustained harassment that management allows to continue.

Why Pasadena Employees Work with Law Offices of Paul P. Cheng & Associates

Paul P. Cheng, our lead attorney, is recognized in Super Lawyers Rising Stars. Our team has handled thousands of cases across diverse legal matters and is sought out by law firms nationwide for insight and collaboration. That cross-sector experience informs every racial discrimination case we take.

Because we also counsel employers on employment law compliance, we know how companies structure their responses to disparate treatment and disparate impact allegations. We apply that knowledge directly to building cases for the employees we represent.

We’re available around the clock, including through a 24/7 Chinese-language hotline, and we approach every case with a tailored strategy.

Ready to discuss your situation? Contact Law Offices of Paul P. Cheng & Associates at (888) 356-4937 for a free consultation.

Forms Race Discrimination Can Take at Work

Racial discrimination doesn’t always look the same from case to case. Knowing how it presents can help you recognize whether what you’ve experienced may be actionable.

Unequal pay: Employees of certain racial backgrounds receive lower compensation than colleagues performing similar work.
Promotion disparities: Qualified employees are passed over for advancement based on race rather than performance or qualifications.
Biased performance reviews: Race influences how work is evaluated, limiting access to raises, development opportunities, or advancement.
Hostile work environment: Racial slurs, derogatory jokes, or persistent demeaning conduct create an unwelcoming or abusive workplace.
Associational discrimination: An employee is treated differently because they’re married to or associated with someone of another race or ethnicity.
Perceived race: Discrimination based on an employer’s incorrect assumption about someone’s race is still unlawful.

Remedies Available in a Race Discrimination Case

When racial discrimination is established, California and federal law both authorize meaningful relief. The remedies available depend on the facts, but they can include:

Back pay for lost wages and benefits
Front pay or reinstatement to a former position
Promotion to a position wrongfully denied
Compensation for emotional distress
Punitive damages in cases of malicious or reckless conduct
Recovery of attorney’s fees and litigation costs
Injunctive relief requiring an employer to change discriminatory policies

Filing a Racial Discrimination Claim in Pasadena, CA

Before filing a lawsuit, California employees are generally required to exhaust administrative remedies. Under FEHA, you typically have three years from the last discriminatory act to file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD). Because California has a qualifying state agency, EEOC charges must generally be filed within 300 days of the discriminatory act. The two agencies operate under a work-sharing agreement, so a charge filed with one is typically cross-filed with the other.

Once the CRD issues a right-to-sue notice, you generally have one year to file a civil lawsuit. For Pasadena residents, that means the Los Angeles County Superior Court’s Northeast District, which handles cases arising in Pasadena and surrounding communities, including Altadena, Arcadia, Monrovia, and Sierra Madre. Employment discrimination complaints go to the CRD or EEOC, not to the Pasadena Human Relations Commission, which is a city advisory body.

These deadlines are strict. Missing the filing window can bar a claim. If you believe you’ve experienced race discrimination at work, speaking with an attorney promptly can help you understand your options and ability to act.

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Hear From Our Happy Clients

What Our Clients Say

Clients choose Law Offices of Paul P. Cheng & Associates for a consistent reason: Paul P. Cheng and our team combine genuine concern for each person’s situation with the commitment and confidence that discrimination cases demand. Read what clients have experienced working with our firm.

"You are an amazing attorney and person."
I am so grateful for your passion, dedication and professionalism.

- Regina
"He was able to analyze the details of my case in minutes, providing legal citations specific to California law, and re-assuring me not to worry."
His opinions were based on years of experience within the judicial system; he has knowledge of individual judges and their values; and, he was very generous with his time.

- Robert Trujillo
"My mother recently had an issue with a wrongful termination from a big "not to be named" hospital system in the LA area and I wanted to make sure she found a honest and professional lawyer."
My mother recently had an issue with a wrongful termination from a big "not to be named" hospital system in the LA area and I wanted to make sure she found a honest and professional lawyer. I looked to my trusty YELPers and found Paul Cheng. The office could not formerly take her case, but he sent a very thoughtful and kind email regarding the fact that they are limited in the cases they can take on but would be happy to answer further questions as needed. Saddened by the fact, I still sent a nice email back thanking him for his time. He then offered to have his office write a complimentary letter on her behalf to see if an informal settlement could be made. Honestly, if I ever had to go to court, I would want a lawyer like him. Finally, a lawyer to redeem the profession!

- Anna S.
"I would HIGHLY recommend Paul P. Cheng and his Law firm the Cheng Law Group."
I would HIGHLY recommend Paul P. Cheng and his Law firm the Cheng Law Group. My wife and I were being sued by a former employee of ours so we took to Yelp, and after reading the many amazing reviews of his law firm we decided to give him a call for a free consultation. Soon thereafter, we were sitting in Mr. Cheng's conference room with an amazing view by the way discussing our entire case. Mr. Cheng was kind, courteous, professional and very knowledgeable about employment law. I was actually surprised about how much time he took with us going over the detailed information we brought, explaining every single option we had with our case. At the end of our consultation and without asking us to retain his firm, he offered to write a complimentary letter to the opposing law firm saying that we denied all of their claims and that any further communication could be directed to his law firm; now what other lawyer would ever offer to do this? After doing so we never heard from that former employee or her law firm again and I'm sure the reason is because they knew with their baseless claims there was nothing they can do against a real lawyer like Mr. Cheng. So if you are looking for a lawyer with actual integrity and concern for the well fair of others I would certainly recommend giving Mr. Cheng a call, you won't regret it.

- Christopher N.
"Thank you very much for your help and generosity!"
Attorney Paul Cheng is extremely helpful and knowledgeable! His legal insights helped me to navigate through the complex real estate transactions involving multiple mechanics liens and commercial r.e. lenders. Thank you very much for your help and generosity! =)

- Rudy L.
"Paul Cheng is an amazing person."
I would first like to say that Paul Cheng is an amazing person. Not only is he very intelligent, but he is also compassionate about the work he does. That being said, he went out of his way to help my mom with her case. He respected her and always made himself available to answer any of her questions. Our family is very grateful to Paul and we highly recommend his law office.

- Annie R.
"I definitely recommend him to anyone who needs a lawyer."
I hired Paul last year on matter with my company. I had talked with 3 other lawyers and decided to go with Paul. The thing i like most about him is he's a straight forward no nonsense type guy. He tells it like it is and seems more interested in doing his job, more so than how much money he is going to make off of you. I definitely recommend him to anyone who needs a lawyer.

- Jeff B.
"Very much appreciated everything you had done."
Paul - I want to say that I very much appreciated everything you had done for me beginning with that first sad day when you took the time to hear my concerns. Beyond legal advice, the care as a human being. It has been emotionally stressful for me, but you and your entire team have been incredibly supportive. Now it is on to another chapter of my life; a much more positive one. Lastly and most importantly, I want to thank you for your affectionate guidance, for your understanding, your interest in me, your belief that I was worth being your client.

- C.C.

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