Harassed at work? You have more power than you think.
Top 7 Sexual Harassment Lawyers in Fresno, CA (2026)
What you are going through at work is not something you have to tolerate, and California law is on your side. The state protects employees from sexual harassment at companies of every size, and a Fresno employment lawyer can tell you - confidentially and at no cost - whether what happened to you is illegal and what it may be worth. Most of these firms work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless they win. Every firm below has a verifiable Fresno-area employee-side practice confirmed across at least two independent sources.
Updated December 16, 202512 min readEditorially independent
Sexual harassment at work takes two main legal forms. Quid pro quo harassment is when a manager or supervisor ties a job benefit - a raise, a promotion, keeping your job - to sexual demands. Hostile work environment harassment is when unwelcome conduct, comments, touching, or messages are severe or pervasive enough to make the workplace abusive. California's Fair Employment and Housing Act protects employees against both, and unlike federal law it applies to employers of any size, even those with a single employee. Retaliation for reporting harassment is separately illegal.
You have rights and you have deadlines. California recently extended the time to file a harassment complaint with the Civil Rights Department to three years from the last act of harassment, and you generally have one year from a right-to-sue letter to file in court. Documentation helps - dates, what was said or done, witnesses, and any texts or emails - but you do not need a perfect record to talk to a lawyer. A good attorney will tell you honestly whether you have a claim and protect you from retaliation while you decide what to do.
The seven firms below all represent employees in the Fresno area and were confirmed across at least two independent sources (Super Lawyers, Avvo, Justia, Expertise.com, or their own published records). Most work on a contingency fee, meaning no cost to you unless they recover money, and each offers a free, confidential consultation. Several handle these cases with particular sensitivity to how hard they are to come forward with.
How we picked these 7: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Fresno-area sexual harassment practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Tomassian, Pimentel & Shapazian
Fresno, CA4.7/5 across 33 reviewsTwo decades of harassment cases
Practice focus: Sexual harassment, hostile work environment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination
For more than two decades, Tomassian, Pimentel & Shapazian has advocated for sexual-harassment victims in negotiations and trials across central California, with attorneys carrying over 75 years of combined experience and a 4.7 out of 5 published rating. The firm's staff speaks Spanish and French.
Why they made the list: An established Fresno firm with long harassment-trial experience, strong client ratings, and multilingual staff.
Practice focus: Sexual harassment, hostile work environment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination
Bryant Whitten is a Fresno employment-law firm whose attorneys are dedicated exclusively to representing employees facing unfair, unsafe, or predatory work environments, including sexual-harassment and discrimination claims across the Central Valley.
Why they made the list: An employee-only Fresno firm built specifically around workplace harassment and discrimination, with no employer-side conflicts.
Practice focus: Sexual harassment, hostile work environment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination
Webber & Egbert (the Webber Law Group employment practice) helps Fresno-area employees navigate sexual-harassment and hostile-work-environment claims, focusing on workers who have faced unlawful treatment on the job.
Why they made the list: A Fresno-focused employment firm experienced in guiding harassment clients through a difficult, sensitive process.
Practice focus: Sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, hostile work environment
Shegerian Conniff represents Fresno employees in sexual-harassment matters on a contingency-fee basis, emphasizing a supportive approach that lets clients tell their story without judgment while pursuing accountability.
Why they made the list: An employee-rights firm with a contingency model and a client-centered approach to a sensitive claim.
Practice focus: Sexual harassment, retaliation, hostile work environment, wrongful termination, whistleblower claims
John McCarthy represents California employees with deep Fresno-area roots, handling sexual-harassment and retaliation cases on contingency and giving clients direct access to their lawyer throughout the case.
Why they made the list: A contingency-fee, employee-only practice with a Fresno focus and unusually direct attorney access.
Practice focus: Sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, class and PAGA actions
Matern Law Group represents Fresno employees in sexual-harassment and discrimination matters, handling individual claims as well as class and representative (PAGA) actions, with a free consultation for Central Valley workers.
Why they made the list: An employee-rights firm that can take an individual harassment claim or pursue a broader pattern through class and PAGA actions.
Practice focus: Sexual harassment, hostile work environment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination
Atoyan Law Group represents Fresno-area employees in sexual-harassment and hostile-work-environment matters, advocating for workers subjected to unlawful conduct and retaliation on the job.
Why they made the list: An employee-focused option covering the full range of harassment and retaliation claims for Fresno workers.
Tell us what has been happening at work, and we'll connect you with one of these Fresno employee-side firms for a free, confidential consultation about your options.
How to choose between them in Fresno
Choose a firm that represents only employees. Some firms defend companies against harassment claims. Every firm here represents workers - confirm that at intake so your lawyer is fully on your side and there is no conflict.
Look for sensitivity, not just aggression. Coming forward is hard. The best harassment lawyers combine a strong legal record with an approach that lets you tell your story safely. Several firms here, including Shegerian Conniff and Tomassian, Pimentel & Shapazian, emphasize exactly that.
Ask about protection from retaliation. Retaliation for reporting harassment is separately illegal in California. A good lawyer will advise you on documenting and protecting against retaliation while your claim moves forward.
Confirm the contingency terms in writing. Most Fresno harassment lawyers take 33% to 40% of the recovery and advance costs. Ask what percentage applies, whether it changes if the case is filed or tried, and what happens to costs if you do not win.
What sexual harassment help typically costs in Fresno
Sexual-harassment cases in Fresno are typically handled on contingency, so you pay nothing up front. Here is how the money usually works:
Initial consultation: Free and confidential at every firm on this list - no cost and no obligation to evaluate your situation.
Contingency fee: Commonly 33% to 40% of any settlement or verdict; the percentage often rises if the case is filed in court or goes to trial.
Case costs: Filing fees, depositions, and experts are usually advanced by the firm and repaid from the recovery; ask what happens to costs if you do not win.
What you might recover: Lost wages, emotional-distress damages, and in some cases punitive damages, plus attorney fees the employer may be ordered to pay under California's fee-shifting laws.
If you lose: With a true contingency arrangement you generally owe no attorney fee; confirm the firm's policy on advanced costs in writing.
Because California can require the employer to pay your attorney fees in a successful harassment case, a strong claim is often worth pursuing even when the conduct did not cost you wages. A free, confidential consultation tells you where you stand.
How long it takes
A Fresno sexual-harassment case follows a fairly predictable path, though many strong cases settle along the way:
First weeks: Free, confidential consultation and document review. If you have a claim, your lawyer files a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department to obtain a right-to-sue letter.
1-3 months: Investigation and a demand to the employer. Some cases resolve here once the employer sees the evidence and the exposure.
3-12 months: If there is no settlement, your lawyer files suit and the case moves into discovery - documents, depositions, and written questions.
12-24 months: Mediation and, for the minority of cases that do not settle, trial. Most harassment cases resolve before a verdict, but a credible willingness to try the case drives a fair settlement.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a sexual harassment lawyer in Fresno
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many sexual harassment matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Fresno consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most sexual harassment matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted Sexual Harassment attorney in Fresno
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about sexual harassment lawyers in Fresno
What counts as sexual harassment under California law?
Two main types: quid pro quo, where a supervisor conditions a job benefit on sexual demands, and hostile work environment, where unwelcome conduct is severe or pervasive enough to make work abusive. California's FEHA covers both and applies to employers of any size.
How much does a sexual-harassment lawyer cost in Fresno?
Usually nothing up front. These cases run on contingency - typically 33% to 40% of what the lawyer recovers - and the firm advances the costs. If there is no recovery, you generally owe no attorney fee.
How long do I have to file a harassment claim?
California now allows up to three years from the last act of harassment to file a complaint with the Civil Rights Department, and generally one year from your right-to-sue letter to file in court. Earlier is better for preserving evidence and witnesses.
Do I have to report it to HR first?
Reporting internally can strengthen a case and is sometimes required for certain claims, but you can talk to a lawyer at any point - before, during, or after reporting. If you fear retaliation, a lawyer can advise you on the safest way to proceed.
What if I was fired or quit because of the harassment?
You may have additional claims for retaliation or constructive discharge (being forced to quit by intolerable conditions). Tell the lawyer the full sequence of events; it often increases what the case is worth.
Will my employer know I talked to a lawyer?
Your initial consultation is confidential. Nothing is filed or disclosed without your decision to move forward, and your lawyer can advise you on protecting against retaliation before any claim becomes known.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
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