Welcome For Employers
Michael Trust founded Michael Trust Law, APC after more than 35 years in HR leadership across entertainment, healthcare, higher education, finance, banking, solar energy, and other industries, including managing approximately 35,000 disability and leave-of-absence cases. He holds the SPHR, PHRca, and SHRM-SCP credentials. The PHRca is a California-specific HR credential focused on California employment law and HR practice. According to HRCI’s published pass-rate statistics at https://www.hrci.org/pass-rates, the PHRca has the lowest pass rate of all HRCI credentials — 47% as of December 31, 2025, compared with 71–84% for HRCI’s other certifications — and only 293 candidates worldwide tested for it in 2025. That HR-systems background helps identify HR process issues early, which can shape legal analysis on both sides.
Welcome – Employers
Michael Trust Law, APC advises California employers on compliance, policy design, training, and defense of employment claims.
For California Employers
Most California employer-side employment problems start with one belief: that the business is exempt from a particular rule. The most common variants are size-based exemption claims (the federal 50-employee FMLA threshold versus California’s 5-employee CFRA threshold; the federal 15-employee Title VII threshold versus California’s 5-employee FEHA threshold for most claims, and one or more employees for harassment), exempt versus non-exempt misclassification, and independent-contractor misclassification under the ABC test codified in Cal. Lab. Code §2775 (originating from Dynamex Operations West, Inc. v. Superior Court (2018) 4 Cal.5th 903). The exemption is often wrong, and the cost of being wrong in California is materially higher than under federal law.
When to Contact Us
Many employer-side employment claims can be reduced through cleaner policies, documentation, and process discipline before the dispute arises. Contact Michael Trust Law, APC to discuss your business’s specific situation.
Initial contact does not create an attorney-client relationship — see Disclaimers.
Cal. Lab. Code §§2775-2787 (ABC test); Cal. Gov. Code §12940 et seq. (FEHA); Cal. Gov. Code §12945.2; Dynamex Operations West, Inc. v. Superior Court (2018) 4 Cal.5th 903.
Our Employer Services
Leave of Absence & Disability Compliance
Manage FMLA, CFRA, ADA, and disability accommodations lawfully.
Wage & Hour Compliance
Ensure lawful pay practices and defend against wage/hour claims.
Employee Relations
Develop compliant practices for discipline, performance, and workplace policies.
Severance Agreements
Draft and negotiate lawful severance packages to minimize risk.
Employment Contracts
Create enforceable agreements that protect employer interests.
Explore Related Employer Services
Protect Your Business Against Employment Claims
Michael Trust Law, APC represents employers in workplace compliance, policy training, and defense of employment claims, bringing over 35 years of HR experience to every engagement.
Contact Michael Trust Law, APC Today