Attorney Referrals
Despido injustificadoDiscriminaciónRepresalias
Attorney Referrals
Rise Law Firm represents employees throughout California in wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, and whistleblower cases. We welcome referrals and co-counsel arrangements from attorneys whose clients have employment claims outside their own practice. Every referred client receives our full attention and utmost care, and we keep referring counsel informed as the case progresses.
Cases we focus on
Significant employment matters for California employees
We represent employees at every level, from C-suite executives to hourly workers, in cases involving serious violations of California employment law.
- Despido injustificado
- Discrimination and harassmentBased on pregnancy, disability, age, race, sex, sexual orientation, and other protected characteristics under the Fair Employment and Housing Act
- Represalias contra denunciantesIncluding claims under Labor Code section 1102.5, the Fair Employment and Housing Act, and the California False Claims Act
- Pregnancy discrimination and pregnancy disability leave
- Medical and family leave retaliationUnder the California Family Rights Act
- Despidos de ejecutivosExecutives and other high-earning employees who have legitimate claims
- Unpaid commissionsClaims of significant value
We do not handle workers’ compensation claims. If you are not sure whether a matter is a good fit, please call us and we will be glad to talk it through before you send it over.
Executives and senior professionals
Representing senior-level employees
We represent many senior executives, from vice presidents to presidents and C-suite officers. Our partners’ years representing companies at national law firms give us a practical understanding of how senior management, boards, and corporate counsel respond to these claims. Like all of our cases, executive matters are handled on a contingency basis only.
Career and reputation
We are mindful of how litigation can affect a senior executive’s professional reputation and future career, and we handle these matters with that in mind. Many of our cases are resolved through confidential settlements.
Complex compensation
Executive damages often turn on equity, stock options, restricted stock units, bonuses, and commissions. We account for the full value of a client’s compensation and work with qualified experts to prove it.
C-level executive
$5,000,000
Whistleblower termination. Resolved right before trial.
President of a global company
$2,750,000
Whistleblower termination
Sales executive
$1,500,000
Gender pay discrimination and whistleblower termination
Development executive
$1,200,000
Pregnancy discrimination and whistleblower termination
Executive at a national company
$700,000
Race discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination
Senior executives, international media company
$600,000
Gender discrimination and retaliation
COO of a large public agency
$390,000
Whistleblower termination involving false claims
CFO, venture-backed financial institution
$350,000
Whistleblower retaliation and wrongful termination
Referral and co-counsel fees
We pay referral fees to referring attorneys, and divide fees with co-counsel, in accordance with Rule 1.5.1 of the California Rules of Professional Conduct.
Rule 1.5.1
Written agreement
The fee division is set out in a written agreement between the referring attorney and Rise Law Firm.
Rule 1.5.1
Client consent
The client consents in writing after full disclosure of the division.
Rule 1.5.1
Same total fee
Dividing the fee does not increase the total fee charged to the client.
Co-counsel. If you would like to stay involved in your client’s case, we are open to working as co-counsel in appropriate cases. We will agree on the division of work and fees in writing at the outset.
Referral fees are paid only to licensed attorneys.
After you refer
What happens next
You will know where your client stands at each stage.
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We review the referral and run a conflict check
We will let you know promptly if a conflict prevents us from helping.
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An attorney speaks with your client directly
We learn the facts from your client and evaluate the claims.
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We give you and your client a candid assessment
We explain the strengths and weaknesses of the case as we see them.
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We tell you where things stand
We will let you and your client know whether we are able to take the case, so no time is lost if there are upcoming deadlines.
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We keep you informed
If we take the case, we will update you on major events during the course of the case, through resolution.
Our practice is built around our clients’ interests. We give candid assessments, including when we think a claim is not worth pursuing, and we pursue the resolution that best serves the client, whether that means resolving a case early or litigating it through to the end.
Why attorneys refer to Rise
Recognized for high-stakes employment cases
Both of our partners were educated at Harvard and trained at national law firms, where they represented companies, before turning to the representation of employees. We have secured millions of dollars for our clients, including recoveries against major companies, government entities, and celebrities.
Eliot Rushovich
Socio Director
- EducaciónHarvard College; Harvard Law School
- Big LawO’Melveny & Myers
Lisa Watanabe-Peagler
Socia
- EducaciónHarvard College; Southwestern Law School, Law Review
- Big LawEpstein Becker Green
Reconocimientos
Chambers
Spotlight 2026, California: Labor & Employment, Mainly Plaintiffs
Legal 500
Recognized firm
Super Lawyers
Eliot Rushovich and Lisa Watanabe-Peagler, 2027
AV Preeminent
Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating
CELA
Members of the California Employment Lawyers Association
High-profile matters
Experience with cases that require discretion and careful handling
All of California
Representation of employees anywhere in the state
Spanish-language support
Bilingual staff to assist Spanish-speaking clients
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Refer a case
Send us the details
Please use the form or call us at (310) 728-6588. We will follow up with you after we review the referral.
Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship between Rise Law Firm, PC and you or your client. Please do not include confidential documents or privileged communications.