how to find a employment discrimination lawyer

by Joany Legros 9 min read

Networking with trusted friends and family members can help you find a state-licensed employment lawyer who specializes in handling discrimination cases. If you fail to receive a recommendation from your close friends and relatives, reach out to your professional colleagues.

Full Answer

How do I find a local discrimination lawyer?

Use FindLaw's attorney directory to find a local discrimination lawyer to ensure you are treated equally and that you receive the protection you are granted by anti-discrimination laws.

What is employment discrimination and how can I Prove It?

Employment discrimination is one of the more common types of discrimination. It can include situations where one group of employees is treated better than another group based on their membership in a protected class.

Do I need a lawyer for a discrimination claim?

Discrimination claims can be complex and typically require the assistance of an attorney. If you are facing any type of discrimination claim, you may need to hire a lawyer in your area. An attorney can provide you with the guidance needed to succeed on a discrimination claim. Here are some testimonials from our satisfied clients.

How do I find an employment lawyer near me?

If your state bar offers this service, then you can find an employment lawyer near you by conducting a simple search. Some state bar associations, like California’s, provide the public with a list of lawyer referral service organizations which have been certified by the state bar. You can then contact the organizations and get referrals.

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What is the average settlement for a discrimination lawsuit?

According to EEOC data, the average out-of-court settlement for employment discrimination claims is about $40,000. Studies of verdicts have shown that about 10% of wrongful termination cases result in a verdict of $1 million or more.

What are the chances of winning a discrimination case?

Your chances of winning a discrimination case will depend on how you proceed. The Harvard Law and Policy Review published an article in 2009 which found that employees only win discrimination cases against their employers 15% of the time.

Are discrimination cases hard to prove?

Proving employment discrimination can often be difficult because evidence of discrimination tends to be hard to come by. However, there are a few ways wronged employees can make their claims in court and get their case in front of a jury.

What are some examples of discrimination?

Types of DiscriminationAge Discrimination.Disability Discrimination.Sexual Orientation.Status as a Parent.Religious Discrimination.National Origin.Pregnancy.Sexual Harassment.More items...

Are employers afraid of the EEOC?

Often employers will feel confused, angry, or afraid upon receiving the EEOC complaint. While it seems like there is no upside to being investigated by a federal agency, the first stage of the process is simply an investigation.

What is the maximum payout for discrimination?

Limits On Compensatory & Punitive Damages These limits vary depending on the size of the employer: For employers with 15-100 employees, the limit is $50,000. For employers with 101-200 employees, the limit is $100,000. For employers with 201-500 employees, the limit is $200,000.

What evidence is needed for discrimination?

Before EEOC can conclude that you were discriminated against, it would need to have proof that: 1. You were treated differently than someone of a different sex, race, national origin, color, religion, or age. EEOC will ask what you know about the person whom you believe was treated more favorable than you.

How can you prove you were discriminated against at work?

This requires a plaintiff to first establish a prima facie case of employment discrimination by demonstrating that she: (1) is a member of a protected class; (2) met her employer's legitimate job performance expectations; (3) suffered an adverse employment action; and (4) another similarly situated employee outside of ...

How do you know if your employer is discriminating against you?

If you're spoken to in a harsh or demeaning tone, or if offensive jokes and comments are made around you — especially in regard to protected class traits like race, gender, religion, age, or sexual orientation — that could be evidence of discrimination.

What are the 7 areas of discrimination?

Discriminationage.disability, or.race, including colour, national or ethnic origin or immigrant status.sex, pregnancy, marital or relationship status, family responsibilities or breastfeeding.sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status.

What are examples of discrimination in employment?

Examples Discrimination in the WorkplaceNot getting hired.Being passed over for a promotion.Enduring inappropriate comments.Getting fired because of your status as a member of a protected class.Denying an employee certain compensation or benefits.Denying disability leave, retirement options, or maternity leave.More items...•

What are examples of job discrimination?

Examples of Employment Discrimination Denying certain employees compensation or benefits. Paying equally-qualified employees in the same position different salaries. Discriminating when assigning disability leave, maternity leave, or retirement options. Denying or disrupting the use of company facilities.

What is the main investigatory body for discrimination claims?

As mentioned, one of the main investigatory bodies for discrimination claims is the EEOC. If a person has a work-related discrimination claim, they will usually have to file with the EEOC first before they can file a private civil lawsuit. The EEOC will prescribe a remedy for the person’s discrimination case.

What are the remedies for discrimination?

Depending on the exact nature of the case, remedies for employment discrimination may include: Being reinstated to a job after being terminated; Obtaining a promotion or other benefits that were denied due to discrimination; Obtaining a job hire if the person was not hired due to discrimination;

What are the issues that can be included in a temporary employment?

It can also include other issues such as harassment involving discrimination (for instance, harassing a worker due to their age), termination, or denial of benefits, or other characteristics such as a person’s status as a temporary or seasonal employee.

What are the different types of discrimination?

Besides these, there are still other less well-known discrimination claims, which may include: 1 Accent discrimination 2 Immigrant discrimination 3 LGBT discrimination 4 Sex discrimination (especially with regards to grooming and appearance) 5 Transsexuality discrimination 6 Wage discrimination

Is there a cap on employment discrimination?

Note that there may be some federal caps on employment discrimination remedies; there may also be similar state limits on employment discrimination damages. Also note that employer discrimination laws may also be applicable to other parties, such as supervisors, managers, or even co-workers.

Is wage discrimination a factor?

Wage discrimination. Also, some discrimination cases may involve multiple factors. For instance, it is possible for an employer to discriminate against a person because they are of a certain gender and a certain race. Lastly, there may be some very rare exceptions to discrimination laws.

Can you terminate an employee for discrimination?

They also cannot terminate employees in a discriminatory fashion. In particular, federal employment discrimination laws provide strong protections against discrimination in the workplace based on race, religion, age, sexual orientation, disabilities, and other categories.

What a Discrimination lawyer can do for you

Discrimination lawyers can help if you feel you’re being treated unfairly in an employment relationship based on a protected class (race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, citizenship status, and genetic information).

Why hire a Discrimination attorney

If you feel you've been discriminated against at your workplace based on your personal beliefs or the way you look or act, you may require the services of a discrimination lawyer.

What is an employment lawyer?

An employment lawyer specializes in representing employers or employees in a wide array of employment related matters. There are a variety of state and federal laws governing the treatment of employees. These include anti-discrimination laws, sexual harassment laws, and laws governing employee benefits. Furthermore, there are laws that govern how ...

What does it mean if an attorney is not certified?

Be aware that many states do not allow certification. Accordingly, the lack of certification may simply mean that your state doesn't allow it. Check to see if other employment lawyers in the state have certification.

What is NELA in employment?

The National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) is the largest organization in the United States of attorneys who primarily represent employees. As such, if you are an employee or prospective employee seeking legal assistance, then NELA is a good place to start.

How to prepare for a lawyer meeting?

You should gather any necessary documents to take to the meeting, e.g., employment contract, termination letter, emails, and anything else that relates to your case. Also sit down and come up with a list of questions to ask the attorney. Common questions are:

Does San Diego County have a bar association?

Many cities and counties have their own bar associations as well. Like state bar associations, they may run a referral service. For example, the San Diego County Bar Association has its own referral service where members of the public can consult with a lawyer who specializes in a particular area of law.

Is an attorney a good source of referrals?

Attorneys are a good source of referrals. If you have used a lawyer for a non-employment matter (e.g., to write a will or to defend you in a criminal case), then you should ask the attorney for a recommendation of an employment lawyer .

What to do if you believe you have been discriminated against?

If you believe you’ve been discriminated against, talk to a discrimination lawyer before you do anything. Discrimination lawyers specialize in exercising the rights provided to you under anti-discrimination laws such as the Civil Rights Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Age Discrimination Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, ...

How long does it take to file a discrimination claim?

This claim must be filed within 180 days of the occurrence to protect the rights guaranteed you by law.

What are the different types of discrimination?

Our attorneys are seasoned professionals who conduct high-quality investigations and work with experts in all types of discrimination lawsuits, including: 1 Age Discrimination 2 Racial Discrimination 3 Religious Discrimination 4 Disability Discrimination 5 Employment Discrimination 6 National Origin Discrimination 7 Sexual Preference Discrimination 8 Family and Medical Leave Discrimination 9 Gender or Gender Identity Discrimination

Is it illegal to fire an employee who filed a sexual harassment lawsuit?

For example, it’s illegal for a California employer to retaliate by firing an employee who has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit.

What can an employment lawyer do?

An employment lawyer can: Evaluate the strength of your case and help you understand the outcomes you might expect. Advise you whether to negotiate a settlement or litigate your complaint in court. Defend you against any counterclaims made against you by your employer.

Why do you need an employment attorney?

If you’re making decisions that affect a large number of people, such as a mass layoff or a change to your retirement plan, an employment attorney can help you avoid legal problems resulting from the decision.

Why do you need a lawyer for employee handbooks?

Employee handbooks, policies, and procedures It's a good idea to have a lawyer review your office policies, procedures, and employee handbooks to make sure you don't violate any employment laws. A lawyer can ensure you meet requirements for wages, overtime, and family medical leave, among others.

What to do if you have a complaint against an employee?

If one of your employees has filed a harassment or discrimination complaint against you with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or other state agency, or if you are the subject of a lawsuit by a disgruntled employee, contact a lawyer immediately.

What does it mean when your employer is threatening to sue you?

Your employer is suing you or threatening to sue you. You've been accused of committing a crime at work. You are being asked, or pressured to, sign a contract or agreement you don't fully understand, such as a non-compete, arbitration, or release of claims.

How much does an employment lawyer make an hour?

These vary widely due to a number of variables, but on average, you should expect to pay between $250 and $500 per hour for an employment lawyer.

What is a protected class employee?

The employee is a member of a protected class, such as a pregnant woman, a person with a disability, or a religious minority. The employee has access to trade secrets or valuable proprietary information.

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What Is Discrimination?

  • Discrimination may be generally defined as any situation where a person is treated less favorably due to their membership or association with a particular group or characteristic, such as their sex, age, gender, political affiliation, religion, or disability. It can also refer to situations where one group is treated more favorably than another gro...
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What Is Discrimination in The Workplace?

  • Employment discriminationis one of the more common types of discrimination. It can include situations where one group of employees is treated better than another group based on their membership in a protected class. It can also include other issues such as harassment involving discrimination(for instance, harassing a worker due to their age), termination, or denial of benefi…
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What Are Some Other Examples of Discrimination?

  • Discrimination claims can be based on a wide range of claims and disputes. Some of the more common examples of discrimination include: 1. Race and color discrimination 2. Religious discrimination 3. Political affiliation discrimination There may also be other cases of discrimination based on less common or less-well known characteristics and backgrounds. Man…
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What Are Some Less Well-Known Discrimination Claims?

  • Besides these, there are still other less well-known discrimination claims, which may include: 1. Accent discrimination 2. Immigrant discrimination 3. LGBT discrimination 4. Sex discrimination (especially with regards to grooming and appearance) 5. Transsexuality discrimination 6. Wage discrimination Also, some discrimination cases may involve multiple factors. For instance, it is p…
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Do Employees Have Rights to A Discrimination-Free Workplace?

  • All workers have a general right to a discrimination-free workplace. As mentioned, there are many federal, state, and local laws that guarantee workers a right to be free from discrimination in the workplace. This includes the right to fair pay, benefits such as medical and vacation, and promotions. Employers cannot deny workers these types of benefits if they qualify for them, bas…
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