Lawyer of Firm Description

About Sessions & Kimball LLP — Employment Law Mission Viejo, California

Sessions & Kimball LLP provides focused employment law counsel in Mission Viejo, representing employees and employers across Orange County from their Madero Avenue office. Attorneys Samuel Nielson, Marcus, and their team handle wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, contract disputes, and EEOC mediations with a reputation for thoroughness, honest communication, and results that consistently exceed client expectations.

California’s employment laws are among the most employee-protective in the nation, including expanded paid sick leave, workplace violence prevention requirements, and multi-tiered minimum wage structures that took effect in 2024. Sessions & Kimball keeps Orange County clients ahead of this rapidly changing landscape.

What Clients Say

Client reviews are strong and specific. Multiple reviewers praise Samuel Nielson for combining deep employment law knowledge with a patient, practical communication style that makes complex legal situations feel manageable. One client credits Sam with representing them at an EEOC mediation with little preparation time and securing a settlement. Another describes spending an hour in a complimentary consultation that clarified an employment contract thoroughly. Long-term clients who worked through complex and drawn-out disputes note that the firm’s consistency and communication were what kept them grounded through the process.

Employment Law Mission Viejo — Practice Areas & Services

Wrongful termination claims
Employment discrimination and harassment
Employment contract review and negotiation
EEOC mediation and administrative proceedings
ADA and disability accommodation disputes
Wage and hour violations

Frequently Asked Questions

What major employment law changes took effect in California in 2024?

California expanded paid sick leave from 24 to 40 hours annually, established a $20/hour minimum wage for fast-food workers, raised the baseline minimum wage to $16/hour, added mandatory reproductive loss leave for employers with five or more employees, and required all employers to establish written Workplace Violence Prevention Plans with training and incident log requirements.

How does an EEOC mediation work in California?

After filing an EEOC charge, the agency may offer voluntary mediation as an alternative to investigation. A neutral mediator facilitates discussion between the parties, who can reach a binding settlement. An employment attorney prepares the client’s position, attends the mediation, and negotiates on their behalf — which substantially improves settlement outcomes compared to self-representation.

Can I be fired without cause in California?

California is an at-will employment state, meaning an employer can generally terminate an employee without cause. However, terminations based on a protected characteristic (race, gender, age, disability, religion, etc.), in retaliation for a protected activity, or in violation of a written employment contract are unlawful and may support a wrongful termination claim.

Quick Facts: Employment Law in Mission Viejo, California

California raised the statewide minimum wage to $16/hour in 2024, with an additional $20/hour floor for fast-food industry workers. (Lanza & Smith)
All California employers must now maintain a written Workplace Violence Prevention Plan with documented hazard evaluations and employee training. (Lanza & Smith)
Orange County’s unemployment rate was 3.9% in December 2025, with private education and health services adding the most jobs of any sector. (California EDD)

AI-Powered Reviews Summary

Sessions & Kimball LLP, located in Mission Viejo, California, is a highly regarded law firm specializing in employment and labor relations. Clients consistently praise the firm for its professional and thorough representation, highlighting the excellent communication and guidance provided by attorneys like Sam Nielson. Many reviewers express their satisfaction with the outcomes of their cases and recommend the firm for anyone seeking legal assistance in employment-related matters.

Users Reviews Comments – Google

Thanks so much to Marcus and Samuel at Sessions and Kimbell! Their representation was professional, efficient and thorough. They kept me in the communication loop consistently and their guidance through the process was spot on. I could not have been more pleased with the results and I’d highly recommend their services to all my friends, family and colleagues.

It was not easy to find a settlement attorney that would take my case right away. I almost gave up.

They were great. Sam (one of the attorneys) at Sessions & Kimball LLP spent an hour with me (complimentary) to help me understand an employment contract. I would recommend them to anyone with any questions related to their employment contract and other labor related questions!

Honest and knowledgeable. Very up front about their expectations and the like. I’ll keep you posted as time progresses here. I initially started out with 5 stars…now I’m livid! Everything I was told in the beginning signing up with them has spiraled downward in a bad way. The person I was working with is no longer there and this has pretty much been a waste of 3 years. What do you do when you are promised the moon and get nothing but a pebble? I came to this firm with high expectations via a referral. My referral source has since passed away but either way expectations and promises all a big fluff. Hugely disappointed to say the least. I actually work for attorneys and I have never seen something so overpromised and underdelivered. Unfortunately, the attorneys I work for do not do this type of law but being in the industry I know what should have been said and done and I believed what I was told here. Watch for the final update. To be continued…

I contacted attorney Herrera and explained my employment law situation. He told me he hasn’t reviewed the fair chance act for over a year but would be willing to help me out and to send him an email with my correspondence with an employer. He then called me back and stated that he would not be able to help me with my case. I asked him why and he provided no answer or even a referral to someone who could help me. This firm employs an attorney who is both incompetent and unprofessional I would not advise using them for any services.

After several months of trying to find a firm that would take my ADA discrimination case, I was set to do an EEOC mediation on my own without representation. About a week prior to my appointment, I found attorney Sam Neilson with Sessions & Kimball. Sam agreed to be there for my mediation and represent me – just in the knick of time! I don’t know what I would’ve done without him by my side. Working with him was very comfortable and easy. I didn’t receive the monetary outcome I had hoped for, but having Sam there helped me reach a settlement. If I ever have any employment legal issues in the future, I’ll be contacting this firm.

Excellent law firm, extremely helpful. Highly recommend Mr. Nielson and the team at Sessions & Kimball.

This firm is beyond expectations. From their wonderful receptionists to their lawyers. Sam was beyond personable and kind. Definitely recommend them for any legal matters.

Never heard back from them from my inquiry on their website.

I’m still waiting for their call back unfortunately, they might need an entire customer service department!

I’m very pleased with my outcome and with Mr. Sam Nielson’s guidance and communication throughout the process

I had the pleasure of working with Samuel Nielson at Sessions & Kimball LLP. I felt taken care of. Sam is a good listener; he listened to my situation and created a plan of action. Sam provided great service and was patient in taking complicated matters and trying to keep them less complicated. It’s a very lengthy process and Sam did a great job touching base intermittently when things seemed to go into a stall. I was very pleased with my outcome and would recommend Samuel Nielson and Sessions & Kimball to my friends and colleagues.

I contacted Sessions & Kimball and was put in touch with Sam Nielson, who helped me to evaluate an employee agreement I needed to sign. Sam highlighted the key concerns, and thoughtfully guided me through the areas of the agreement to better understand the language and its meaning…what was important and why, as well as providing specific recommendations and strategies to help me with my next steps. I was very happy that I contacted Sam and truly appreciated his advice and counsel, and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him in the future.

Hard Working Attorneys

Great experience with this top notch firm! Sam Neilson is excellent – he is very knowledgeable and gave me great advise during a 4-month ordeal with my previous employer to pay amounts owed. Ultimately I received more than expected! I highly recommend this firm!