Legal Question in Employment Law in California

You should contact your local Labor Commissioner office (officially known as the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement). They are a state agency whose job is to investigate employers who don't pay their employees properly. They do not take a portion of your recovery, either. They are a good option when your case is not worth a lot of money.

You can find them easily online.

It is strange that lawyers have turned you down if you are owed wages - unless the reason is that your former employer is broke and too difficult to collect from. Call an employment law attorney to discuss. Many of us offer a free initial phone consultation and may be able to get what is owed to you at no cost to you. CA law requires an employer to pay an employee's final paycheck including any earned and unused vacation or PTO "immediately" upon termination. If not, they usually have to pay one day's pay for each day you have to wait - up to 30 days PLUS your attorneys' fees. 949-481-6909

What you should have in the beginning, file a claim with the local office of the Labor Commissioner, for unpaid wages, interest and penalties.