Honored by the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation for providing access to justice to rural communities.

Honored by the Impact Fund as one of six Law Firms that have made an impact by defending the rights of low income janitors in California.

At Talamantes/Villegas/Carrera, LLP, we represent workers.


THE CULTURE
We represent workers in California because we believe that all workers have the fundamental right to be paid for all hours they labor for the benefit of their employer. This philosophy is not unique to our firm, it is in fact the public policy of the State of California . "Public policy has long favored the 'full and prompt payment of wages due an employee . . . Wages are not ordinary debts . . . Because of the economic position of the average worker and, in particular, his dependence on wages for the necessities of life for himself and his family, it is essential to the public welfare that he receive his pay." Pressler v. Donald L. Bren Co. (1982) 32 Cal. 3d 831, 837 (internal citation omitted). These protections benefit not only workers but society as well: they help keep workers and their families from needing public assistance, and they ensure that employers who deny workers the wages they are due will not gain a competitive advantage over other employers who do comply with the law. See e.g. California Labor Code § 90.5(a).

OUR PHILOSOPHY:
Since Oct. 1999, our objective has been to make an impact in the lives of California's workers. Our goal is to provide TVC clients with effective results oriented legal representation.

We zealously represent our clients. While no firm can guarantee success, we endeavor to meet our litigation goals and client objectives. We will be honest with you in assessing the success of your case, because saving you time and money is our way of nurturing a lasting business relationship. Protecting your interest is our objective, and once retained, our responsibility.

FIRM VALUES
We collaborate today with non-profit civil rights legal organizations throughout the State of California by providing resources, litigation support, legal clinic support, and man/woman power. It has been our pleasure to co-counsel and otherwise work with important civil rights organizations such as the The Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, United Farm Workers of America, AFL/CIO, California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc., Legal Aid of Marin, Canal Community Alliance and the Watsonville Community Law Center. Together, we provide effective legal representation for low wage and Latino workers. Proudly we have received both litigation support and funding to aid us with impact litigation from the Impact Fund of Berkeley, California, and the Consulate of Mexico.

Holding ourselves to the highest standards, as lawyers, we work from the principles of honesty, fairness and candor. We have integrity and take seriously our obligation to represent our clients to the best of our abilities.

Our clients matter. As advocates, we take an aggressive approach to their representation. We listen. We care. We respond quickly to the needs of our clients. While no law firm can guarantee success, we endeavor to meet our litigation goals. Our client's success is our objective.

Creativity knows no bounds, even in the law. We take a creative approach to what we do and that is what distinguishes this law firm. We believe in creativity.

We value ideas. Ideas, based on sound legal reasoning, are the "guts" of a successful legal strategy.

We respect each other. Litigation is stressful. We respect our client's need to know information and return telephone calls quickly. We respect members of the firm. No one here is ever too senior to answer a telephone, wash a coffee cup, or make a copy.

We believe in teamwork.

LITIGATION
Whether you intend to sue or are being sued, litigation is never easy. The truth is, litigation is often emotionally draining. At the same time, the court system is an important avenue to access, enforce and protect your rights. If litigation is necessary and you are retained by the firm, we will work hard to find creative solutions to quickly and economically solve your needs. We represent our clients in federal and/or state court, before administrative agencies, and at mediation and arbitration.