THE HR LEGAL PARTNER YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR

From Panic Button to Peace of Mind

Hi, I'm Valerie, The HR Attorney™!

I’m Valerie Costanza, The HR Attorney™, small business owner, and proud So Cal native. I started my firm as a single mom with one goal: to build a life without limits and a legacy for my daughter. Like many entrepreneurs, I wanted the freedom to lead on my own terms—so I built a business that helps others do the same.

Before becoming an attorney, I worked in Corporate Human Resources for companies with employees across the U.S. and internationally. That experience allows me to deliver practical legal guidance that aligns with real workplace challenges—not just legal theory.

Today, I help California employers protect their businesses from hire to fire by providing proactive, legally sound HR advice and systems that reduce risk and support confident growth. Whether it’s handbooks, discipline, training, recruiting, or compliance, I’m here to protect what you’ve built.

I also teach Employment Law at Trinity Law School, volunteer with Christian Legal Aid, and spend my free time with family—at the soccer field, at concerts with my husband, or in jiu-jitsu class with my daughter.

If you’re ready to stop reacting and start leading with confidence, schedule a strategy session with me and let’s protect your business the right way.

Education

  • Trinity Law School, Employment Law, Juris Doctor
  • Biola University, B.A. Communication Studies

Certifications

  • Admitted to the State Bar of California
  • Certified Mediator, CA Dispute Resolutions

Memberships

  • The State Bar of California
  • California Lawyer's Association
  • Pasadena Bar Association
  • Society for Human Resource Management
  • Christian Legal Society
  • Christian Legal Aid
  • National Latina Business Women's Association
  • Latina Lawyer's Bar Association
  • Provisors

In the Community

  • Adjunct Professor, Trinity Law School, Masters of Legal Studies in Human Resources
  • Courses: Human Resources Compliance, Employment Discrimination, and Labor Law
  • Board Member, Christian Legal Aid of Los Angeles
  • Board Member, Maranatha High School
  • Volunteer Speaker with the American Legion
  • Volunteer Speaker at the CA Lawyer’s Association Annual Conference and Small Law Firm Summit
  • Recognized by Ford Motor Company as a “Mujer Legendaria” for innovation in the legal field.
  • Recognized by Thomson Reuters as "Rising Star" and "Super Lawyer, 2023 and 2024

BUILT ON EXPERIENCE. DRIVEN BY PURPOSE.

Protecting Your People, Your Profits, and Your Peace of Mind

Real-World HR Meets Legal Proficiency

We’re not just HR, nor are we traditional law firm Attorneys—we’re seasoned HR professionals who know what it’s like in the trenches AND we're experienced employer defense attorneys who provide advice that works in real businesses with real people-not just in theory or courtrooms.

Partnership Over Paperwork

We’re not a 1-800 number or a faceless consulting firm who's afraid to be direct. We’re in your corner. We take the time to understand your operations, your people, and your goals—so we can guide you like a trusted partner, not an obscure vendor.

We Stay Ahead So You Don’t Fall Behind

California’s labor laws are some of the toughest in the nation and constantly evolving. We track legal updates, court decisions, and agency enforcement trends so you don’t have to. Most of all, we know how they apply to your businesses so you can focus on other things. Our mission is to keep you compliant, confident, and always one step ahead.

We are business owners protecting the hopes, legacies, and profits of other business owners.

At our core, we believe California small businesses deserve protection, not punishment, for growing a team. We know what it’s like to build something from nothing, to lose sleep over payroll or policies, and to pour your heart into a company that supports not just customers, but families. That’s why we exist: to bring clarity, confidence, and legal protection to every stage of the employee lifecycle, from onboarding to offboarding.

We’ve sat in HR seats ourselves, inside fast-paced industries where the policies weren’t just paper—they were tested daily. We know that in California, employee problems are legal problems, and one minor misstep can snowball into a six-figure lawsuit.

Our job? Prevent it before it ever gets that far.

We’re not a generic HR hotline or a one-size-fits-all policy shop. We’re strategic partners who help you build compliant systems that reduce liability and reflect your company’s values. Whether it’s rebuilding your handbook, delivering meaningful harassment training, or guiding tough terminations—we’ve got your back.

Because your business deserves more than guesswork. It deserves protection, precision, and peace of mind.

Peace of Mind Starts Here