how to find an employment lawyer

by Prof. Dominic Gulgowski 9 min read

  • 1. Contact your state bar association. If you are looking for an employment lawyer then a good place to start is by contacting your state or county ...
  • 2. Contact a trade organization or professional group. In addition to state or local bar associations, there are a variety of professional lawyer ...
  • 3. Ask friends or family. A good source of referrals are family and friends or anyone else that you know, such as coworkers. Ask them if they have ...
  • 4. Ask another lawyer. 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 ...

Full Answer

How to go about finding a good employment lawyer?

A better way to find an employment lawyer is through LegalMatch.com. LegalMatch is a free service that matches attorneys with clients based the facts of each case. We promptly provide you with the best lawyer match for your employment law claim so you can proceed with filing a claim. You can also review attorney profiles through our system.

Should I contact an employment lawyer?

Begin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate, use enter to select. More Options. Name Search. Browse Legal Issues. Browse Law Firms. Support. For help near (city, ZIP code or county) For help near (city, ZIP code or county) Find your Lawyer.

When to hire an employment lawyer?

When you begin your search for an employment lawyer, start by looking for lawyers who have experience in the category your case falls under. There’s several ways to collect referrals to employment lawyers in your area: Contact your local legal aid office; Browse the Avvo directory

How to hire your employment law attorney?

There are many ways to find a reliable lawyer. One of the best is a recommendation from a trusted friend, relative, or business associate. Be aware, however, that each legal case is different and that a lawyer who is right for someone else may not suit you or your legal problem.

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What do labor lawyers do?

What Do Labor Lawyers Do? As a division of employment law, labor lawyers represent both employers and employees in disputes and negotiations. However, labor laws focus specifically on industries with labor unions (teachers, policemen, bus drivers, etc.) and their specialized rules and regulations.

Can you sue your employer?

You may have a case to sue your employer for not taking the action that they promised. You're not sure how to win a lawsuit against your employer though. It's not like you've ever had to do it. Keep reading to see a few pointers that will help you win.Sep 26, 2021

Can I sue my employer for not paying me correctly?

You can bring a claim against your employer in an employment tribunal if: You haven't been paid at all; for work you have done. Deductions have been made from your wages (so you received less than you were expecting) and these were not authorised; or. you wish to challenge the amount you've been paid.

How do I prove a hostile work environment?

To meet the requirements of a hostile work environment, the behavior must be:Pervasive, severe, and persistent.Disruptive to the victim's work.Something the employer knew about and did not address adequately enough to make stop.Apr 9, 2020

What are the easiest things to sue for?

The law must support your contention that you were harmed by the illegal actions of another.Bad Debt. A type of contract case. ... Breach of Contract. ... Breach of Warranty. ... Failure to Return a Security Deposit. ... Libel or Slander (Defamation). ... Nuisance. ... Personal Injury. ... Product Liability.More items...

Can an employer withhold pay after termination?

Can an Employer Withhold a Final Paycheck? Generally, an employer cannot withhold a final paycheck from former employees. If an employer continues to withhold a final paycheck, an employee may file a complaint with the Department of Employment Services or Office of Human Rights.Jan 29, 2021

How do you know if you are underpaid?

How do I know if I am underpaid?Your salary is less than what online average salary data indicates. ... An online salary calculator suggests that you are underpaid. ... Your number of responsibilities has changed, but your salary has remained the same. ... Your benefits are lacking compared to your colleagues' benefits.More items...•Mar 30, 2021

What can you do if your boss doesn't pay you?

Contact your employer (preferably in writing) and ask for the wages owed to you. If your employer refuses to do so, consider filing a claim with your state's labor agency. File a suit in small claims court or superior court for the amount owed.Dec 27, 2021

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 ...

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:

What does it mean if you don't have a certification?

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. If none do, then your state may not allow it.

What is a CELA?

Some states also run statewide associations of employment lawyers. The California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA) is one such organization. CELA allows users to search their website for an attorney who primarily represents employees by city, county, language, and practice area. ...

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.

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.

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 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 is punitive damages?

Usually you’re limited to lost pay and benefits, plus some amount for pain and suffering. Punitive damages are less common, and often subject to statutory limits. In addition, unlike awards in an accident case, your settlement or award is subject to applicable federal and state taxes.

Where to start researching a lawyer?

Hands down, the best place to start researching a lawyer is the State Bar of California’s website. There, you can look up attorneys by name and see their credentials and history.

What can a lawyer tell you about your case?

A good lawyer can tell you what they like about your case, what the anticipated defenses are, and where potential weak spots may be. Of course, their assessment is only as good as the information you share with them. Also, until they hear from the other side, it is hard to give a complete assessment of your case.

Is finding a lawyer stressful?

Finding a lawyer can be incredibly stressful, especially if you’ve just been terminated from your job or are being harassed or retaliated against. With your financial security at stake, this may be one of the biggest decisions of your life. There are a sea of lawyers out there. How do you pick the right one?

What does legal insurance cover?

These plans vary. Many cover most, if not all, of the cost of legal consultations, document preparation, and court representation in routine legal matters. Other programs cover only advice and consultation with a lawyer.

How long can you be in jail for a crime?

Constitution guarantees you the right to be represented by a lawyer in any case in which you could be incarcerated for six months or more. State constitutions may guarantee your right to a lawyer for lesser crimes.

Can you be incarcerated for six months?

If you are accused of a crime, the U.S. Constitution guarantees you the right to be represented by a lawyer in any case in which you could be incarcerated for six months or more. State constitutions may guarantee your right to a lawyer for lesser crimes. If you cannot afford a lawyer, either the judge hearing the case will appoint a private lawyer to represent you free of charge or the government’s public defender will handle your case, also at no charge.

What to do if you have an employment dispute?

Hire an Employment Lawyer. If you are involved in an employment dispute, or need advice about an employment-related matter, you may need to hire an employment lawyer. An effective employment lawyer can help educate you on state and federal laws concerning wrongful termination, wage disputes, defamation, whistleblower protections, ...

What to do if you feel overwhelmed by an employee's rights issue?

If you're feeling overwhelmed with an employee rights issue or wrongful job loss it can be helpful to consult with an experienced lawyer. They can answer questions about your specific situation and discuss how the local laws impact your potential claims. Contact a local attorney to learn how they can help you demand fair treatment at work.

Hiring an Employment Lawyer

This article has basic information about when you might need an employment lawyer, what you should look for when interviewing attorneys, and a brief overview of attorney fee structures.

Find an Employees' Rights Attorney in Your Area

Click here to search through FindLaw’s directory of quality-assured employment attorneys in your area. This comprehensive directory can be searched by city, metropolitan area, county, and state.

Attorney Intake Form: Facing Discrimination & Harassment At Work

Your attorney will need to gather information about your case in order to evaluate its legal merits. This sample intake form, available in PDF and Word formats, will help you prepare the necessary information for that first consultation.

Types of Legal Fees

Over time, attorneys have gotten more and more creative with their fee structures. Read through this list of fee structures so that you can understand how your attorney is going to charge you.

Types of Legal Costs

In addition to legal fees, attorneys will often pass some basic costs on to you. This article lists the type of costs attorneys frequently pass on to their clients.

Reducing Your Costs and Expenses

Not everyone understands their legal bill, but they do understand that legal bills tend to be too high. Here is list of sensible, easy things to do that might help manage the bottom line.

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Handling Your Case

  1. Contact your state bar association. If you are looking for an employment lawyer then a good place to start is by contacting your state or county bar association and asking for a referral. Many state bar associations, like the one in Texas, have a “Find a Lawyer” feature on its website. To view an example, click here. If your state bar offers this service, then you can fin…
  2. Contact a trade organization or professional group. In addition to state or local bar associati…
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Assessment of Your Case

Fees and Costs

  • Some lawyers work with other attorneys, paralegals, and staff. Find out how and how much a lawyer delegates and ask about those people, their credentials, and their experience. Find out how you will be kept updated about your case. Ask if you will get copies of letters or case documents. Find out whether the attorney favors emails, calls, or some other communication method. Find o…
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General Questions

  • A good lawyer can tell you what they like about your case, what the anticipated defenses are, and where potential weak spots may be. Of course, their assessment is only as good as the information you share with them. Also, until they hear from the other side, it is hard to give a complete assessment of your case. You want a lawyer who can step you through your options a…
See more on mizrahilaw.com