Attorneys for Workers in Tech Companies | Attorneys for Workers 24/7

Tech companies are an important part of the San Francisco economy. Workers in the tech industry have the same rights and protections as all employees; however, workers who work in tech companies, such as Google or Facebook for example, may face unique employment issues as companies scale and expand without establishing the safeguards and processes necessary to ensure compliance with the law.

The attorneys for workers at Liberation Law Group have extensive experience representing tech employees with issues ranging from discrimination and sexual harassment to misclassification of independent contractors and unpaid commissions, bonuses, or equity. Our Employment attorneys represent tech workers at all levels, guiding our clients toward the successful resolution of their cases against tech companies of all sizes and stages of growth.

Can I recover my unvested equity if I am wrongfully terminated?

Depending on the type of legal claim you have, you may be able to recover unvested equity. For example, if you were fired in retaliation for complaining about illegal conduct, you may be able to recover the equity you would have acquired over time, had you remained employed and not been illegally terminated. Issues that often arise when lost or unvested shares are at stake include accelerated vesting, forfeiture, and valuation of stock grants.

Is my non-compete agreement valid in San Francisco?

A non-compete agreement generally stipulates that, for a period after your employment, you will not be able to join a company or enter into a business that is competitive with your former employer. It is often included in employment agreements, offer letters, confidentiality agreements, equity plans, or other employment documents. Employers generally cannot enforce a non-compete agreement in California against former employees, although there is an exception when an employee sells backdated shares.

Your non-compete agreement may state that any dispute over the agreement must be filed in another state or must be decided using the law of a state other than California. If you work primarily in California, regardless of where your employer is located, you are subject to the protections of California Labor Code 925.

That law states that your employer cannot require you to accept a provision that requires you to litigate a dispute outside of California or apply the law of another state, unless you are represented by an attorney in the negotiation of the agreement. This is important because many other states enforce non-compete agreements. However, Labor Code 925 only applies to agreements entered into, modified, or extended on or after January 1, 2017. Agreements entered into before January 1, 2017 that select the law or place of a different state are subject to different rules and may or may not be enforceable, depending on the circumstances.

Is my non-disclosure or confidentiality agreement valid?

Companies have broad authority to protect confidential and trade secret information, including requiring employees to enter into agreements to safeguard intellectual property and other confidential information. Many companies require employees, and in some cases even interviewees, to sign confidentiality agreements as part of the hiring and onboarding process.

In general, courts will enforce non-disclosure agreements, so it is important to follow company rules and procedures regarding data security. It would likely be a violation of your confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement to retain copies of company information after you leave the company. This includes documents stored in your personal email, cloud storage accounts, or backups, and on electronic storage devices such as computers, phones, and drives, as well as printed documents.

The way these rules are applied in a particular situation can be complex. The same infractions or illegalities occur in a tech company as in any other company. If you work in a tech company and have problems with your employer or company, you can consult with the attorneys for workers 24/7 in San Francisco.

How can attorneys for workers in San Francisco help you?

Our lawyers will help you with a lawsuit or protect your job against discrimination, abuse, or wrongful termination. We can also advise you on your particular case regarding confidentiality agreements or non-compete agreements. Our offices are located in San Francisco, California, and we offer our legal services in San Francisco, San Mateo, San Jose, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Oakland, Berkeley, and all surrounding cities in Silicon Valley. If you have questions about your employment at a tech company, contact one of our lawyers by calling (888)442-2642 for a free consultation with an employment law attorney in San Francisco, California.

Where We Serve

We serve workers at tech companies in San Francisco, San Mateo County, San Jose, Santa Clara, and throughout Silicon Valley.

Frequently Asked Questions

Call 1-888-442-2642 or complete our free form. In Spanish, no cost, 24/7.