text: - State Bar of California, 2015
  1442 Irvine Boulevard, Suite 201
  Tustin, CA 92780
  Located in Tustin, Michael Berry is one of the top litigators in Orange County with a practice focused exclusively on representing employees whose workplace rights have been violated.
  The founder of MJB Law Group, Michael and his firm solely represent plaintiffs in employment law-related cases. He does handle some personal injury matters, but he and the firm are selective and focus primarily on workplace matters.
  Inspired by his father’s legal practice, Michael grew up around the law and more specifically employment law. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern California Magna cum Laude and received his J.D. from Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law.
  After handling his first employment case as a young attorney, he realized he had both a passion and an aptitude for these types of cases and then chose to serve workers with his legal abilities. Michael and his firm represent individuals in discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage-and-hour cases.
  “People who live in California are fortunate to have an employee-friendly environment in which to work,” Michael said. “In many parts of the country, workers have little to not rights when employers are stealing from them, when they’re forced to work in dangerous conditions or when they’re being taken advantage in some other way.”
  One area of law Michael is passionate about is disability discrimination. Disability discrimination occurs when someone is treated less favorably or given fewer opportunities than others because of a disability of any kind.
  “Disability discrimination is very common because the state has passed a number of laws to protect that group of people, but few employers follow these laws properly, creating a difficult environment for people who need special accommodations of some kind,” Michael added.
  Disability can be a broad term; and Michael explains any physical or mental impairment that interferes with a major life activity can be considered a “disability.” This means not just people in wheelchairs, but people who’ve been injured and/or disabled in some other way. The accommodation can come in many forms, and the employer and employee must engage with each other in the interactive process to determine if there is a reasonable accommodation that allows the employee to continue to work.
  Many types of employers can be in violation of California laws. Larger employees often violate the law and sometimes hide behind their large staff of lawyers whenever they are accused of workplace violations.
  There are two types of cases Michael is particularly passionate about:
  “As a father of two daughters, I think about their future whenever I take on one of those cases,” Michael said. “I feel like I’m making the workplace safer in general every time we hold someone accountable for violating the law in these ways. Pregnancy discrimination is particularly egregious as it interferes with half our population’s ability to literally keep life going. It’s awful to see women discriminated against in this way, but such a righteous cause to be a part of.”
  If fired, immediately go to an Orange County employment attorney who understands the law and can provide top-level services.
  Joe Marchelewski is the owner of AIJ Communications, a legal PR company located in Los Angeles, California. Joe is a Past President of PRSA-LA of and is a veteran of the legal PR and marketing world, having worked for some of the largest and most prestigious law firms in the world. Joe provides the interviews and Lawyer Spotlight features for OrangeCountyLawyers.com.