Hollywood Employment Lawyer

Overtime on Long Production Days

California requires overtime after 8 hours in a day and double time after 12. That rule doesn’t go away because you’re on a set. A flat day rate doesn’t automatically cover it either, if you’re a non-exempt worker. Some union jobs have different break rules under their collective bargaining agreements, but plenty of production work isn’t covered by one, and the assistants and coordinators working 14-hour days often are owed real money.

Being called a freelancer doesn’t settle anything. California applies the ABC test to most work, and if the company controls how you do the job and the work is part of its regular business, you may be an employee. Our article on independent contractor rights walks through it.

Hotels, Restaurants, and Nightlife

Hollywood is part of the City of Los Angeles, so the Los Angeles minimum wage applies: $18.42 an hour since July 1, 2026, for anyone who works at least two hours a week in the city. Larger hotels in Los Angeles have to pay a separate, higher hotel worker minimum wage. Other common problems are managers taking a cut of the tip pool (illegal in California), unpaid side work, and breaks that never happen on a late shift.

Harassment in the Entertainment Business

Harassment can come from a boss, a coworker, or someone outside the company, like talent, a producer, or a client. California employers can be responsible for harassment by non-employees when they knew or should have known and didn’t act. See our page on sexual harassment cases.

Other Cases We Handle

• Wrongful termination, including firings dressed up as “the project ended”
• Retaliation for reporting safety or pay violations
• Gender discrimination in pay and assignments
• Wage claims for unpaid hours and overtime

We meet Hollywood clients at our Century City or Sherman Oaks office, or by video. The consultation is free.

Nearby Areas We Serve

• Studio City employment lawyer
• Beverly Hills employment lawyer
• Glendale employment lawyer
• All California employment law cases we handle

Call us at (310) 424-9971 or send us a message for a free consultation. We work on contingency, so there are no attorney fees unless we recover money for you.