Top Law PC - Areas of Practice

Areas of Practice

"Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public."
— Cornel West

Top Law PC - Testimonials

Testimonials

“Denise advocated for me. I feel she gave me my life back and for that I will always be grateful.”

“I was referred to Denise by another attorney. It was a pleasure to watch her in action. You can see right away how compassionate she is. Denise is very knowledgeable, has patience beyond words and has a kind heart. I can’t say enough good things about her. Denise advocated for me. I feel she gave me my life back and for that I will always be grateful.” – P.B.

“I believe I could not have had a better attorney to assist and prepare me.”

“Denise assisted me and my agency in an arbitration hearing related to a complex harassment claim. She demonstrated patience, professionalism, and good humor during the hours she spent preparing me and during the hearing. Her knowledge, attention to details, and professional approach were key parts of enabling my agency to win the arbitration. I believe I could not have had a better attorney to assist and prepare me. I highly recommend Denise.” ~AA

“Denise is a person of strength and integrity in whom I trust my darkest fears and most valuable assets.”

“Denise is not your average, usual, stereotypical lawyer. She is a highly skilled and competent Attorney; calm, professional, knowledgeable, genuine, and somehow always available when I need her most urgently. Denise has been my advocate, teacher, therapist and when necessary, cheerleader while working together. But most important, [Denise] is a person of strength and integrity in whom I trust my darkest fears and most valuable assets. I recommend her to anyone seeking outstanding legal counsel.” ~KT

“Denise Top is a godsend.”

“Denise Top is a godsend. Finding myself involved in an employment law matter, as soon as I met Denise I knew the case had outstanding and expert legal representation. In addition to Denise’s commanding knowledge of the intricate laws, her professionalism, thoroughness, attention to detail, interpersonal skills, and evident prioritization of our case assured me – over many long months -that the case would have the best possible outcome. Employment law cases can weigh heavily on those involved. As soon as Denise became involved in the case, I knew I could trust her expertise implicitly and the weight lifted from my shoulders. Denise provides her clients not only with legal expertise, but with complementary attributes not always found but which are so important to an overall positive experience. Denise is truly one of a kind, and I am so grateful for her representation.” ~LA

“I would recommend Denise without reservation.”

“Having a great deal of experience with attorneys, both as plaintiff and defendant, I was especially appreciative of finally finding an attorney like Denise Top. Denise has that rare blend of tough litigant, sharp intellect, and compassionate heart. She is responsive, personable and professional. Denise’s innate understanding of the complex dynamics involved in litigation left me with a strong sense of confidence in the process. Even if we had not had the favorable outcome that we did, I would recommend Denise without reservation.” ~CO

“Denise Top is on the top of my speed dial.”

“As the Head of a small school, Denise Top is on the top of my speed dial. Denise has so patiently and effectively guided me through thorny problems that I have increasingly sought her counsel before problems arise. I have recommended Denise to colleagues, and I count her a valuable member of my professional network.” ~JDF

“I couldn’t have been luckier.”

“My insurance company referred me to Denise. I couldn’t have been luckier. Denise was punctilious, energetic, understanding, prompt, skillful, knowledgeable, and determined in a pleasant way. I would recommend her to anyone!” ~BNS

“She is extremely articulate on the legal landscape.”

“Denise helped me navigate through a very difficult and challenging chapter in my professional career. She is extremely articulate on the legal landscape, current court decisions, and understands her Clients’ positions fully and best possible outcomes…which, in my case, was a very favorable ruling and I will always be grateful I had Denise on my side.”  ~SH

“She takes each client as a priority.”

“Denise is an extraordinary attorney. She takes each client as a priority, and she makes each one feel as if it was her only one. I had the pleasure to use her services, and I was always impressed with her professionalism, and the speed of her responses to my inquiries. Denise was able to solve a complicated labor situation at a very fast pace, and with positive outcomes to all parts. She possesses a cordial nature that offers trust to her clients. I would strongly recommend Denise Top to anyone requiring to solve employment legal matters, she is a truly talented attorney.” ~MP

“I knew where my case stood at all points in time.”

“During one of the most difficult and traumatizing periods of my life, Denise was my champion. A lawyer can be many things to one person — a legal advocate, an emotional stalwart, a firm ground when the world feels like its falling apart. Denise was all of that and more. Without her help, I would have fallen completely apart. Denise is extremely hard working, communicative, and diligent. I knew where my case stood at all points in time. I am grateful for her expertise which secured me a powerful and financially generative end to a traumatic time. Thank you Denise — your effort and skill changed my life, and I will never forget the work you did on my behalf.” ~RS

“She’s a WARRIOR in every sense of the word!”

“There are so many wonderful things I can say about Denise K Top, and what she did for me! It was one of the lowest times of my life. I was lost beat down and broken. Denise was not just a strong advocate for me, she was also my personal cheerleader! She’s a WARRIOR in every sense of the word! she didn’t just win my case she gave me back my will to move forward with strength, grace and my head held high once again.” ~ KF

"Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public."
— Cornel West

Top Law PC - Resources

Resources

The DFEH is a California State agency responsible in part for the enforcement of California’s civil rights laws. The DFEH website contains summaries of recent and important court decisions affecting workers’ rights.

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This California State agency accepts and adjudicates claims by employees related to unpaid wages. The agency’s website also provides a clear overview of California wage and hour laws.

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The EDD is the California State organization responsible for administering Unemployment and Disability benefits (including Pregnancy Disability). The EDD website has helpful Frequently Asked Questions pages for employees who may be eligible for benefits.

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CELA is an organization of lawyers in California who focus their practice on representing employees. If you are looking for an employment lawyer in your area, CELA’s “Find a CELA member” page may assist you in your attorney search.

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The State Bar maintains a list of lawyer referral services by county.

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The Employment Law Center is a leading nonprofit, legal services organization that has been committed to helping California’s low-income working families for almost the past 100 years. On its website, the ELC provides comprehensive and easy-to-understand “fact sheets and other self-help tools” to assist employees who may have questions about the law or their legal rights.

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Centro Legal de la Raza provides free or low-cost, bilingual, culturally-sensitive legal aid, community education and advocacy for low-income residents of the Bay Area, including monolingual Spanish speaking immigrants.

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Transgender Law Center is the largest national trans-led organization advocating self-determination for all people. Grounded in legal expertise and committed to racial justice, we employ a variety of community-driven strategies to keep transgender and gender nonconforming people alive, thriving, and fighting for liberation.

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"Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public."
— Cornel West

Top Law PC - About

About Denise

I am passionate about what I do, and I care about the people who trust me to fight for them. My clients take pride in their work and work hard every day to support themselves and their loved ones. I see the hardship my clients face when their health and security is taken away through no fault of their own. It’s a privilege and responsibility to be trusted to stand up for someone else’s rights. So I take my job personally, and I make it my personal mission to fight for a just result in every case.

Denise K. Top, Signature
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More About Denise

Denise is the owner and founding partner of Top Law, PC. Denise is an aggressive, passionate advocate dedicated to helping make the workplace right for everyone. Denise’s law practice focuses on employment issues and litigation in support of the rights of employees. As a former attorney in legal defense firms, Denise defended public and private entities against discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination claims. As a result, Denise understands how employers work and can often achieve results before a lawsuit is filed. As a seasoned litigator, she has enjoyed an extensive law and motion practice and has chaired several state court trials and arbitrations. Denise’s practice has included developing and presenting workplace trainings on such subjects as preventing sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation; embracing diversity in the workplace; protected leaves; and the mandated reporting laws.

Unlike most practicing attorneys, law is not Denise’s first career. She worked almost a decade in social services and in the buying offices of several major Bay Area retailers before starting law school. Denise’s real-life work experience gives her a practical advantage in understanding the dynamics of the workplace. For instance, Denise knows as a manager what it feels like to have to make unfavorable decisions. She also knows firsthand what it feels like to be told by a manager that “you just don’t fit in.” She has seen co-workers pushed out the door by unfairly and unevenly applied company policies. Denise’s past work experience and what she has observed about how others have been treated in the workplace are the reasons why she practices employment law.

While in law school, Denise was on the editorial board of Law Review and received Witkin Awards for Academic Excellence in Remedies and Community Property and a CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Appellate Advocacy. She also served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Maria-Elena James, United States Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of California. From 2010-2011, Denise served as the Director for Examinations for the State Bar of California, where she was responsible for the development of the California Bar Examination and testing accommodations for disabled applicants. Prior to starting her own firm, Denise worked at Gordon & Rees and Liebert Cassidy Whitmore where she gained invaluable experience in all aspects of employment law, in administrative and civil proceedings and through mediation and arbitration.

Denise has been selected to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list in 2013-2015, a distinction reserved for no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state. Since 2018, Denise has been named a Northern California Super Lawyer.

Endurance training for Ironman triathlons has taught Denise that any goal is attainable with hard work, dedication, and a good sense of humor.

Denise K. Top
Rated by Super Lawyers


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"Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public."
— Cornel West

Top Law PC - Welcome

Passion & Compassion

Denise K. Top is a trial attorney and the principal at Top Law, PC, a boutique firm specializing in employment and civil rights law. Her practice is dedicated to making the workplace work for everyone, providing zealous advocacy for employees in all aspects of employment law. Denise is a lecturer, trainer, and author of published articles on various topics related to employment, employment law, and litigation. She has successfully obtained jury verdicts and arbitration awards on behalf of clients. Denise has been selected by her peers to the Northern California Super Lawyers Rising Star list from 2013-2015; and since 2018, has been named a Northern California Super Lawyer. She derives great pleasure working with clients to help them find their voice, stand up for their rights, and ultimately obtain justice.

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Areas of Practice

Disability Rights

Medical + Family Leave

Discrimination

Whistleblowers + Retaliation

Harassment

Unpaid Wages

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"Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public."
— Cornel West