Dolores Y. Leal, a partner in our firm, specializes in sexual harassment, employment discrimination, and wrongful termination cases.
Before joining our firm in 1991, Ms. Leal worked several years for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, handling cases of employment discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, and retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act ("ADEA"), and the Equal Pay Act. Ms. Leal held various positions while at the EEOC, including that of an investigator. Her last position was that of senior trial attorney.
As a senior trial attorney at the EEOC, Ms. Leal tried several Title VII and ADEA cases, including cases involving "English-only" policies, national-origin discrimination, gender discrimination/harassment, pregnancy discrimination, and age discrimination.
Ms. Leal has also tried numerous discrimination and wrongful termination cases at Allred, Maroko & Goldberg. Her most notable victory was in the case of Tylo v. Spelling Entertainment Group, Inc., in which she served as co-counsel representing actress Hunter Tylo in a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit. Ms. Tylo was awarded $4,894,601 in damages. Most important for other victims was a decision by the Court of Appeals, Hunter Tylo v. The Superior Court of Los Angeles County, 55 Cal. App.4th 1379, 64 Cal.rptr.2d 731 (1997). Prior to trial, Ms. Leal appealed an unfavorable decision rendered by the trial court in the Tylo case, in which during Ms. Tylo's deposition the defendant sought to invade Ms. Tylo's constitutional right to privacy. The Court of Appeals agreed to stay the trial court's order and after review, ordered the trial court to reverse its order. Hunter Tylo v. The Superior Court of Los Angeles County, 55 Cal. App.4th 1379, 64 Cal.Rptr.2d 731 (1997). This was a significant victory for persons suing their employers; the Court of Appeals made it clear that it will not allow employers to engage in "fishing expeditions" during the discovery phase of litigation.
Ms. Leal is the author of Litigating Sexual Harassment and Sex Discrimination Cases, published by James Publishing in Costa Mesa, California. She is a frequent speaker before attorney groups and the EEOC and has taught torts, employment discrimination, and critical studies at Peoples College of Law. She has authored a number of articles on employment law.
Ms. Leal is also a member of the Executive Board and recent past president of the California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA), a statewide organization of attorneys who represent employees. In September 1999 Ms. Leal was honored by CELA as its "Employment Law Attorney of the Year."
Ms. Leal has also received an "AV" rating, the highest rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and was listed as one of the "Top 50 Women Lawyers in Los Angeles" by The Los Angeles Business Journal in February 1998.
Every year since 2004, Ms. Leal has been named one of Southern California's "SuperLawyers" by Law & Politics and Los Angeles Magazine. She was further honored by that group as one of the Top 50 Female Attorneys in Southern California. Ms. Leal, a native of Los Angeles, also speaks fluent Spanish.
Areas of Practice: Sexual HarassmentEmployment DiscriminationWrongful TerminationPublished Works:Litigating Sexual Harassment and Sex Discrimination Cases, James Publishing, Costa Mesa, CaliforniaRepresentative Cases: Tylo v. Spelling Entertainment Group, Inc., ( )Hunter Tylo v. The Superior Court of Los Angeles County, 55 Cal. App.4th 1379; 64 Cal. Rptr. 2nd 731 ( 1997)Dimaranan v. Pomona Valey Hospital Medical Center, 775 R. Supp.338 (C.D. Cal. 1991)Classes/Seminars Taught: Torts, Employment Discrimination and Critical Studies, Peoples College of LawSpeaker, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Labor & Employment SectionSpeaker, Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB)Speaker, Southern California Mediation AssnSpeaker, Latina Lawyers Bar Assn (LLBA)Speaker, California Applicants Attorneys Assn (CAAA)Speaker, California Employment Lawyers Assn (CELA)Speaker, National Employment Lawyers Assn (NELA)Speaker, California State Bar, Labor & Employment SectionHonors and Awards:Employment Law Attorney of the Year, CELA, 1999Top 50 Women Lawyers in Los Angeles, The Los Angeles Business Journal, 1998Southern California's SuperLawyers, Law & Politics and Los Angeles Magazine, 2004 - 2006One of the Top 50 Female Attorneys in Southern California, 2004 - 2006Professional Associations and Memberships:California Employment Lawyers AssociationMember, Executive BoardCalifornia Employment Lawyers AssociationPast PresidentNational Employment Lawyers AssociationLos Angeles County Bar Association, Labor & Employment SectionMexican/American Bar AssociationPast Employment Positions:U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Practice areas
A multitude of Federal, state and local statutes mandate that employers provide equal access and equal protection to all employees, customers, vendors and others. Discrimination, however, does not happen only in the workplace. Allred, Maroko & Goldberg has litigated numerous complex discrimination cases where individuals and institutions have failed to provide necessary protection.
34 years
Reports in national media recently might give you the impression that large settlements for California employment disputes are the norm rather than the exception. The real facts are that these types of cases are confusing, complex and difficult to resolve unless you have secured legal representation with the unique skills to investigate, negotiate and litigate claims of harassment, discrimination and other employment disputes.
34 years
Sexual harassment in California differs from sexual discrimination in a very important way: discrimination refers to a denial of civil rights or job opportunities based on your gender while harassment is specifically related to inappropriate behavior in the workplace by owners, supervisors, coworkers or others.
34 years
The Los Angeles employment law offices of Allred, Maroko & Goldberg receive numerous calls each day from individuals who have lost their job and feel that they have been fired unfairly. The immediate and natural reaction to file a complaint must be tempered with the fact that California is an “at will” employment state, meaning employees can generally be let go for any reason or no reason at all, even if the reason is dubious.
34 years
Languages spoken
Spanish
Allred, Maroko & Goldberg
6300 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 1500
Los Angeles, CA, 90048
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CA | Active | 1988 | 06/07/2022 |
Legal answers | 1 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Southern California Super Lawyers | Law & Politics Magazine | 2016 |
Best Lawyers in America | Best Lawyers in America | 2016 |
One of the Top 50 Female Attorneys in Southern California | Law & Politics Magazine | 2016 |
Mary V. Orozco Abriendo Caminos Award | Latina Lawyers Bar Association | 2015 |
Joe Posner Award | California Employment Lawyers Association | 2015 |
Southern California Super Lawyers | Law & Politics Magazine | 2015 |
Best Lawyers in America | Best Lawyers in America | 2014 |
Southern California Super Lawyers | Law & Politics Magazine | 2014 |
Southern California Super Lawyers | Law & Politics Magazine | 2013 |
Top 50 Los Angeles Women Lawyers | Law & Politics Magazine | 2012 |
Best Lawyers in America | Best Lawyers in America | 2012 |
Southern California Super Lawyers | Law & Politics Magazine | 2011 |
Best Lawyers in America | Best Lawyers in America | 2011 |
Best Lawyers in America | Best Lawyers in America | 2010 |
Southern California Super Lawyers | Law & Politics Magazine | 2010 |
Best Lawyers in America | Best Lawyers in America | 2009 |
Southern California Super Lawyer | Law & Politics Magazine | 2009 |
Southern California Super Lawyer | Law & Politics Magazine | 2008 |
Southern California Super Lawyer | Law & Politics Magazine | 2007 |
One of the Top 50 Female Attorneys in Southern California | Law & Politics Magazine | 2006 |
Southern California Super Lawyer | Law & Politics Magazine | 2006 |
One of the Top 50 Female Attorneys in Southern California | Law & Politics Magazine | 2005 |
Southern California Super Lawyer | Law & Politics Magazine | 2005 |
One of the Top 50 Female Attorneys in Southern California | Law & Politics Magazine | 2004 |
Southern California Super Lawyer | Law & Politics Magazine | 2004 |
Employment Lawyer of the Year | California Employment Lawyers Association | 1999 |
Top 50 Women Lawyers in Los Angeles | Los Angeles Business Journal | 1998 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | N/A |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner | Allred, Maroko & Goldberg | 1991 - Present |
Staff Attorney | United States Equal Employment Commission (EEOC) | 1988 - 1991 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
College of Labor and Employment Lawyers | Fellow | 2008 - Present |
Los Angeles County Bar Association | Member, Labor & Employment Section | 1991 - Present |
National Employment Lawyers Association | Member | 1991 - Present |
Mexican American Bar Association | Member | 1990 - Present |
State Bar of California | Member | 1988 - Present |
United States District Court for the Central District of California | Member | 1988 - Present |
California Employment Lawyers Association | Executive Committee, Past President | 1992 - 2009 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Litigating Sexual Harassment and Sex Discrimination Cases | Practice Guide | N/A |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Western State Univ | Law | 1987 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Tylo v The Superior Court of Los Angeles, 55 Cal App.4th 1370: 64 Cal Rptr. 2d 731 (1997) |
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Eugenia Hicks, Employment and labor Attorney on Mar 16, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Dolores is recognized by her peers as an attorney with the highest level of skills and experience in advancing the civil rights of California workers. Her unwavering commitment and passionate quest for fairness and equality in the workplace make her a true warrior for justice.
Christopher Leroi, Employment and labor Attorney on Aug 23, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Eugenia Hicks, Employment and labor Attorney on Mar 16, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Dolores is recognized by her peers as an attorney with the highest level of skills and experience in advancing the civil rights of California workers. Her unwavering commitment and passionate quest for fairness and equality in the workplace make her a true warrior for justice.
Christopher Leroi, Employment and labor Attorney on Aug 23, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Christina Cheung, Employment and labor Attorney on Feb 5, 2013
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
Afshin Mozaffari, Employment and labor Attorney on Oct 17, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Marilynn Mika Spencer, Employment and labor Attorney on Oct 14, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Dolores Leal is a true star in the legal field. She pays close attention to the law and her clients' needs, and provides stellar services. She is dedicated to improving the knowledge base of the legal community.
Steven Pearl, Employment and labor Attorney on Mar 18, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Dolores is a valued member of the community of lawyers representing employees in California. I endorse her work without reservation.
Michelle Reinglass, Employment and labor Attorney on Sep 17, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work. Terrific lawyer and person!
Maria Diaz, Employment and labor Attorney on Jul 17, 2009
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer's work.
Renee Mochkatel, Employment and labor Attorney on Jul 10, 2009
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer's work.
Margery Somers, Employment and labor Attorney on Jul 10, 2009
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer's work.
John West, Employment and labor Attorney on Jul 7, 2009
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer's work.
Gloria Allred, Employment and labor Attorney on Jun 30, 2009
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer's work.
Robert Olmos, Employment and labor Attorney on Jun 30, 2009
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer's work.
Michael Maroko, Employment and labor Attorney on Jun 24, 2009
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer's work.
Michael King, Employment and labor Attorney on Jun 8, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work.
Samuel Wells, Employment and labor Attorney on Jun 8, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work.
Nathan Goldberg, Employment and labor Attorney on Jun 8, 2009
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer's work.