Protected from discrimination
California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act prohibits treating you differently because of pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions. It covers employers with five or more employees.
California · Severance negotiation · Legal boutique
Women’s Work helps you secure a fair severance agreement.
Empowering women in management during maternity.
Confidential · Free 30-minute consultation · No obligation
Does any of this sound familiar?
- You were let go weeks after telling your manager you were pregnant.
- Your role was “eliminated” while you were on leave.
- Your performance was suddenly a problem after years of good reviews.
- You were passed over, pushed out, or told it “wasn’t a good fit anymore.”
- You were handed a severance agreement and told to sign quickly.
- Your career was disrupted just when you needed to focus on your family the most.
If you nodded at any of these, it’s worth a conversation. Start here
Women’s Work Legal negotiates severance for women when their jobs end during pregnancy, maternity leave, or after returning to work.
Know your rights
In California, firing someone for being pregnant is against the law.
Protected leave
Pregnancy Disability Leave allows up to four months of job-protected leave when you’re disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or a related condition.
Time to bond
The California Family Rights Act allows up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave to bond with a new child.
General information, not legal advice. Eligibility rules apply, and every situation is different.
The approach
A smarter exit starts here.
Most pregnancy-related exits never see a courtroom. They’re resolved at the negotiating table, often faster and always more privately.
Women’s Work Legal brings the weight of California law to the table, so your former employer has a strong reason to take your claim seriously and you can focus on your next chapter.
“Motherhood doesn’t diminish your worth. You deserve respect and fair compensation for the career you’ve built.”
How it works
Four steps. You only have to take the first.
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Share your story
Book a 30-minute consultation this week with Katie Loftus, Women’s Work Legal’s principal attorney. Talk through your situation, understand your options, and get clarity on what comes next.
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Sign up
Ready to move forward? Sign your engagement agreement and pay a one-time $5,000 flat fee. That single payment covers your entire negotiation. No hourly billing. No hidden fees. No ongoing charges. Just clear, predictable pricing from day one.
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Katie reviews your agreement
Katie flags unfavorable terms and risks, then recommends changes that protect you. No agreement yet? She’ll help you pursue terms that reflect your contributions.
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Katie negotiates for you
Katie handles the negotiation with your former employer on your behalf, advocating for better terms while you focus on yourself, your family, and what comes next.
You’ve worked hard for what you’ve built. Let’s make sure your next move reflects that.
Book your consultationPricing
Exceptional representation. One clear fee.
At Women’s Work Legal, severance negotiation is a one-time $5,000 flat fee. You’ll know exactly what your legal representation costs before we begin—no hidden fees and no uncertainty about what the next email will cost you.
No hourly billing. No surprise invoices. Just transparent pricing, personalized legal counsel, and the confidence to make your next move on your terms.
What you get
Direct access to an experienced attorney
You work directly with Katie Loftus, a Harvard Law School graduate and experienced employment attorney. You’ll have unlimited calls with Katie throughout the engagement, so you can ask questions, talk through your options, and make informed decisions. No “intake specialists.” No chatbots.
A severance agreement tailored to you
Your severance agreement deserves more than a quick review. Katie will analyze the terms, identify provisions that may disadvantage you, and recommend changes that protect your interests and support your next chapter. If you haven’t received an agreement yet, she’ll work with your former employer to negotiate terms that reflect your contributions, priorities, and future.
An advocate at the negotiating table
You don’t have to navigate this conversation alone. Katie will negotiate directly with your employer on your behalf, bringing legal knowledge, strategic judgment, and a clear focus on your interests. The goal: to pursue the compensation and terms you deserve while you focus on yourself, your family, and what comes next.
You’ve worked hard for what you’ve built. Your next move deserves the same care.
Ready to discuss your severance offer?
Get started
About
Hi, I’m Katie.
I’m Katie Loftus, a California employment attorney and the founder of Women’s Work Legal, a boutique practice dedicated to helping women negotiate severance after losing their jobs during pregnancy or maternity leave.
After graduating from Harvard Law School, I spent years practicing employment law at a major law firm, including litigating discrimination and harassment cases. I saw firsthand both how much can be at stake when an employment relationship ends and how important it is to have someone in your corner who understands both the law and what you stand to lose. I founded Women’s Work Legal to bring that experience directly to women navigating one of the most consequential—and often most overwhelming—moments in their careers.
Because I know you have enough on your plate. Whether you’re preparing for a new baby, recovering from childbirth, or up at 3 a.m. with a newborn, you shouldn’t also have to figure out whether your severance offer is fair, what you may be entitled to, or how to push back against your former employer.
That’s where I come in.
I’ll look closely at your agreement, identify opportunities to negotiate better terms, and advocate for your interests directly with your former employer. My approach is strategic, personal, and discreet. You get experienced legal counsel without having to manage the negotiation yourself.
You don’t have to choose between protecting your career interests and being present for your family. And you don’t have to figure this out alone.
You don’t need to have all the answers before we talk. You just need to reach out.
Katie Loftus
Founder · Principal Attorney · Women’s Work Legal
Questions
What women ask first.
Is it too late?
There are legal deadlines, and severance offers often carry their own short ones. The sooner you reach out, the more options you have.
Do I have to go to court?
Most of Katie’s work happens through negotiation, and the goal is to resolve things privately, without a lawsuit.
Will my former employer know I contacted you?
No. Your inquiry is confidential, and nothing happens without your go-ahead.
I’m still employed, but something feels wrong.
Reach out anyway. Getting advice early can help protect you before anything happens.
Start here
Book your free consultation.
Choose a 30-minute time that works for you. It’s confidential, there’s no obligation, and you don’t need to have all the answers before we talk.
Choose a time
When you book, you’ll be asked for your name, email, phone, state of residence, and former employer (so Katie can check for conflicts), whether you were offered a severance agreement, and anything Katie should know before your meeting. Your confirmation and meeting link will be sent to your email.