Who We Serve

At Wagner Zemming Christensen, LLP, we believe public servants deserve the same level of commitment and protection that they bring to the communities they serve. Our practice is built around one mission: defending the rights, reputations, and careers of public sector employees throughout Riverside and the surrounding regions of Southern California.

Every day, police officers, firefighters, teachers, public works employees, administrative staff, and countless other public employees put their time, effort, and integrity on the line. But when they’re treated unfairly, retaliated against, or face discrimination or wrongful termination, they often feel isolated and powerless in a system that should be protecting them. That’s where we step in.

We are proud to stand beside those who serve. When you come to us, you get more than legal advice—you get a team of seasoned advocates who understand the complexity of government employment, civil service rules, union protections, and constitutional rights. We’ve spent years helping clients navigate internal investigations, disciplinary hearings, litigation, and agency-level complaints. We know how public agencies operate, and we know how to hold them accountable.

Who We Represent—and Why It Matters

Our clients are the backbone of their communities. Some wear uniforms, some work behind desks, and others labor outdoors to keep our cities running. Regardless of their job titles, they all share one thing in common: they’ve chosen public service, and they deserve to be treated fairly in return.

We represent law enforcement officers facing internal affairs investigations or departmental retaliation. We stand up for firefighters and emergency personnel who’ve been wrongfully disciplined or denied workplace protections. We help school district employees and teachers who’ve experienced discrimination, harassment, or retaliation simply for doing their jobs or exercising their rights. Our clients include public health workers, city planners, utility employees, administrative assistants, building inspectors, and more.

If you receive a government paycheck, and you’re experiencing unfair treatment, we’re here for you.

Legal Issues We Handle

Public employment law isn’t just one area of practice—it’s a broad, nuanced field that touches on everything from constitutional protections to labor codes to state-specific administrative rules. Our attorneys are deeply experienced in the full range of employment-related legal challenges that public workers face.

Discrimination is a frequent issue in government workplaces, even if agencies try to hide it behind paperwork or procedural excuses. Whether you’re facing bias because of your age, pregnancy, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, criminal history, race, or national origin, our firm can help identify the legal violations and fight for your right to work in an environment free from prejudice. We’ve seen how subtle discrimination—being passed over for promotions, unfair performance reviews, exclusion from key meetings—can wear down even the most dedicated employee. And we’ve also tackled overt misconduct, like hostile language, demotions, or terminations rooted in bias.

Retaliation is another issue we see often. Public employees who speak up—whether it’s reporting misconduct, filing a complaint, requesting reasonable accommodations, or asserting their legal rights—are often punished for doing the right thing. The retaliation may come in the form of suspension, a reassignment to demeaning duties, or subtle blacklisting within the agency. In many cases, retaliation is designed to humiliate or discourage the employee from continuing to stand up for themselves. We fight back on their behalf.

Wrongful termination claims are particularly devastating for public employees. Many have spent decades building careers with strong reputations and spotless records. Being fired for unlawful or politically motivated reasons not only threatens their livelihood—it can destroy their professional identity. We dig deep into the facts, policies, and motives behind these decisions and pursue reinstatement, back pay, or damages when possible.

Whistleblower protection is a cornerstone of our work. We understand that blowing the whistle on corruption, waste, fraud, or dangerous conditions isn’t easy. When our clients make the courageous decision to come forward, we stand behind them to ensure they’re legally protected. California has strong protections for public employees who report wrongdoing, but too often agencies find ways to retaliate anyway. We work to ensure those tactics don’t go unanswered.

Sexual harassment in the public sector remains a widespread problem, despite decades of training and policy reforms. We represent employees who’ve faced unwanted advances, lewd comments, coercion, or retaliation for reporting inappropriate behavior. Whether the harassment comes from a supervisor, coworker, or even a subordinate, we help our clients reclaim their sense of safety and dignity in the workplace.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and California Family Rights Act (CFRA) violations are another focus of our firm. If you’ve been denied legally protected leave to care for yourself, a child, or a loved one—or punished for taking it—you may have a valid claim. These laws exist to ensure that workers don’t have to choose between their health and their careers.

Wage and hour disputes may not make headlines, but they deeply affect workers. Whether you’ve been improperly classified as exempt, denied overtime pay, forced to work through breaks, or shorted on your paycheck, we’re ready to hold your employer accountable. Even public agencies must follow the law.

Standing Up for Police Officers Wrongly Punished

Our firm recently secured a $2.5 million settlement for two former Pomona police supervisors—Chad Jensen and Michael Neaderbaomer—who were retaliated against after being acquitted of federal charges. Despite their acquittal, these dedicated officers were reassigned to humiliating, career-ending positions as a form of punishment. Their story is one of justice delayed but not denied.

We took on their case, exposed the wrongdoing, and demanded accountability from the City of Pomona. The result wasn’t just a monetary settlement; it was a statement that acquitted public employees cannot be silenced, discarded, or disrespected by their own departments.

We Understand the Stakes—And We Don’t Back Down

When you face legal challenges as a public employee, it’s not just a lawsuit—it’s your job, your pension, your reputation, your livelihood. You may feel like your agency has all the power and you’re up against a wall. But you don’t have to go through it alone.

At Wagner Zemming Christensen, LLP, we understand the emotional toll these situations take. We work closely with every client to craft a tailored legal strategy that fits their goals—whether that means quiet resolution, administrative appeals, aggressive litigation, or public accountability. We are both compassionate allies and fierce advocates.

Let’s Talk About What You’re Facing

No one expects to need a lawyer when they’ve dedicated their life to public service. But when your rights are threatened—when you’re being mistreated, silenced, or pushed out of a job you’ve worked hard to earn—you deserve a strong legal team who knows exactly how to respond.

Maybe you’ve been passed over for a promotion for reasons that don’t add up. Maybe you were disciplined or reassigned after reporting misconduct. Perhaps you’ve experienced ongoing harassment and no one in your department is taking it seriously. Or maybe you’re facing termination after years of loyal service—and you know something about it isn’t right.

Whether the issue is subtle or severe, isolated or part of a larger pattern, we want to hear your story. At Wagner Zemming Christensen, LLP, we take the time to truly listen. We’ll help you make sense of what’s happening, understand your legal options, and chart the best path forward—whether that’s through negotiation, administrative remedies, or full-scale litigation.

We work with clients from every corner of the public sector: law enforcement officers facing retaliation after internal affairs investigations; teachers or district employees denied accommodations; government workers sidelined after taking protected leave; city employees subjected to racial or gender discrimination; and whistleblowers who spoke up and paid the price. Your experience matters, and you don’t have to face it alone.

We believe that just because your employer is a government agency doesn’t mean they’re above the law. You have rights. You have legal protections. And you deserve to have someone in your corner who will fight for you without hesitation.

You’ve built a career in public service. Now let us serve you—with integrity, strength, and deep knowledge of California public employment law.

Call 951-363-3923 today to schedule a completely confidential consultation. When you call, you won’t be shuffled through an automated system or passed off to someone who doesn’t understand your situation. You’ll speak directly with an experienced employment attorney who’s ready to listen, answer your questions, and help you take the next step.

It’s time to stop worrying. It’s time to start fighting back—with a legal team that knows how to win. Let’s talk.