Practice areas: Employment & Labor; view more
Licensed in California since: 2019
Education: Loyola Law School Los Angeles
Languages spoken: Armenian, English, Spanish
Selected to Rising Stars: 2027 Call today:
213-204-9313
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Free Consultation Setyan Law, APC
2049 Century Park E.Suite 2525
Los Angeles, CA 90067 Visit website
Sam Setyan, the principal attorney at Setyan Law, APC, in Pasadena, California, provides reliable counsel to those who were wronged by their employers. Serving clients across California, he vigorously fights for employees in matters involving wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment, wage and hour, and whistleblower cases. Having taken on cases against employers of all sizes, from local businesses to Fortune 500 companies, he stands by his clients, safeguarding their rights.
Throughout his career, Mr. Setyan has provided endless assistance to his clients throughout the legal process. From the initial claim evaluation to trial or settlement, he guides his clients in receiving favorable compensation or verdicts for the difficulties they faced. He makes sure all deadlines for filings are met and that all necessary documents are collected for proof. He prepares every case for trial, ensuring there are no shortcomings in his advocacy.
Before pursuing his legal education, Mr. Setyan completed his undergraduate studies in history at the University of California, Los Angeles. He then enrolled at Loyola Law School, where he was selected to participate in the Poehls/Hobbs District Attorney Practicum, gaining experience as a certified law clerk in the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. In 2019, he gained admission to The State Bar of California.
Fluent in English and Spanish, Mr. Setyan places a high priority on communication in his practice. Understanding the anxiety one feels with the threat of losing their job, he makes sure he always keeps his clients informed throughout the legal proceedings. An active listener, he ensures his clients feel heard and supported while answering any questions they may have. This client-centered approach defines his practice that focuses not only on the case but also on the people involved.
Practice areas
Employment & Labor: EmployeeFocus areas
Employment Law - Employee, Labor Law, Sexual Harassment, Wage & Hour Laws, Whistleblower
- 100% Employment & Labor: Employee
First Admitted: 2019, California
Professional Webpage: https://setyanlaw.com/about-setyan-law/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Sam Setyan is the principal attorney at Setyan Law. He earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School. While in law school, Mr. Setyan was selected to participate in the prestigious Hobbs/Poels District Attorney Practicum, which highlighted his trial advocacy skills and understanding of the law. He was also selected by the American Board of Trial Attorneys to participate in its fellowship program. , 2026
- United States District Court for the Northern District of California, 2026
- State Bar of California, 2019
- U.S. District Court Central District of California, 2026
- California Employment Lawyers Association, 2026
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of California, 2026
- Los Angeles County Bar Association, 2026
- Member of CELA, California Employment Lawyers Association, 2026
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Setyan Law, APC Secures a Unanimous Federal Jury Verdict Against Costco in a Disability Discrimination Case - SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Setyan Law, APC announced that founder and employment trial attorney Sam Setyan secured a unanimous 9-0 federal jury verdict against Costco Wholesale Corporation in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California on behalf of former employee Aaron Talamantes, who alleged Costco discriminated against him after he disclosed disabilities and requested workplace accommodations. The case resulted in a total recovery of $800,000 against Costco, including $200,000 in damages awarded to Mr. Talamantes by the jury, with the remainder attributable to attorneys' fees. The lawsuit centered on allegations that Costco failed to accommodate Talamantes, a probationary employee, after he disclosed PTSD, anxiety, and limitations stemming from a prior ankle injury requiring surgical hardware. Mr. Talamantes informed management about his conditions shortly after being hired and requested reasonable accommodations, including short breaks during PTSD-related panic attacks and restrictions on heavy lifting. Costco denied ever knowing about Mr. Talamantes' PTSD until after the termination decision was made. His Costco managers interpreted a doctors' note stating "No lifting. No heavy lifting" to mean that Mr. Talamantes could not even lift a receipt and forced him on unpaid leave. Approximately a week later, Mr. Talamantes secured another doctor's note that cleared him to return to work without restrictions but also stated that his ankle injury was interfering with his ability to work. Costco never bothered to follow up with Mr. Talamantes about that note. In a ruling denying most of Costco's motion for summary judgment before trial, Chief U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg found substantial factual disputes existed regarding whether Costco managers knew about Talamantes' disabilities, whether the company failed to engage in a good-faith interactive process, and whether Costco's stated reasons for termination were pretextual. "This was an extraordinarily difficult case because disability discrimination often happens behind closed doors, through dismissive comments, ignored accommodation requests, and efforts to discredit vulnerable employees," said firm founder Sam Setyan. "Our client showed tremendous courage throughout this process and deserved to be treated with dignity and respect, not mocked or pushed aside after asking for help. The unanimous verdict sends a clear message that employers cannot ignore disability accommodation laws and expect to escape accountability." Mr. Setyan added that the verdict should serve as a warning to major employers across California. "This verdict puts Costco and other large corporations on notice," he said. "California law requires employers to take accommodation requests seriously and to engage with workers in good faith. Juries are paying attention when companies fail to do that." The case is Talamantes v. Costco Wholesale Corporation, Case No. 24-cv-00789, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California., 2026
- Since 2019, Sam Setyan has secured more than $4.2 million in wage and hour and meal break settlements for California employees.https://setyanlaw.com/wage-hour-attorney-los-angeles/, 2019
- Wage & HourSince 2019, Sam Setyan has secured more than $4.2 million in wage and hour and meal break settlements for California employees.https://setyanlaw.com/wage-hour-attorney-los-angeles/, 2019
- Since 2019, Sam Setyan has secured more than $5.4 million in sexual harassment settlements for California employees.https://setyanlaw.com/employment-lawyers/los-angeles-ca-sexual-harassment/, 2019
- Since 2019, Sam Setyan has secured more than $13.5 million in discrimination settlements for California employees., 2019
- Since 2019, Sam Setyan has secured more than $20.6 million in wrongful termination settlements for California employees., 2019
Videos
- Your AI Chatbot Conversations May Not Be Private If you use ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, or another AI chatbot to talk about problems at work, be careful what you share. Those conversations may not have the same legal protections as communications with your attorney, and in some lawsuits they could potentially be requested, discovered, or used as evidence. That means conversations about: • Harassment or discrimination • Retaliation • Wrongful termination • Workplace complaints • Your employer or coworkers • Details about a potential lawsuit could potentially become relevant in litigation. ⚠️ Do not assume an AI chatbot is a confidential place to discuss your legal strategy, sensitive workplace information, or facts you would not want disclosed. If you are dealing with a serious workplace issue, speaking directly with an employment attorney is the safer way to discuss your legal rights and options., AI, Employees, Whistleblowers, 2026
Representative Clients
- Talamantes v. Costco Wholesale Corporation, 2026
- William T. Stafford v. Harayer V. Gharibian, 2023
Transactions
- Represented numerous entities in lease transactions, legal lease reviews and residential real estate transactions , 2026
Special Licenses / Certifications
- STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE, Real Estate Broker (2012-Present) , 2012
Pro bono / Community Service
- Pro bono lease review for California personal injury law firm , 2025
- Job Mentor, Glendale Youth Alliance , 2026
- Pro bono residential purchase agreement review and guidance , 2026
Educational Background
- J.D., Loyola Law School-Los Angeles, 2018, 2015-2018
- University of California, Los Angeles, Bachelor of Arts degree in History
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Federal Trial Verdict, Northern District of California , 2026
Honors
- Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Star, Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2026
Office location for Sam Setyan
2049 Century Park E.
Suite 2525
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Phone: 213-204-9313
Selections
- Rising Stars: 2027
