what kind of lawyer helps city employees

What does a city attorney do?

City attorneys advise a municipal government’s leadership on legal matters that may impact the city. They must be well-versed in state law governing the creation and operation of municipal governments. Additionally, city attorneys must know the law related to human resources, open meetings, open records, contracts, taxes, and criminal records.

What does an employment lawyer do?

Some of the common tasks that lawyers in this practice area help with include: An employment lawyer can help explain the client’s rights to him or her. This includes explaining the applicable laws that apply to the case and the options available to the client, which may include litigation, mediation, negotiation or other actions.

Where do lawyers work in the US?

Hence, their work may entail dealing with several agencies, such as the U.S. Copyright Office, the Department of Commerce, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 2. Family Lawyers

Does a city have a law firm?

Larger cities have legal departments that a city attorney directs. Smaller cities have one city attorney on staff or contract with a law firm specializing in municipal law. Some law firms do all their business representing governmental entities such as cities, counties, and school districts.

What to Look for in a Lawyer

Before looking for an attorney, decide what kind you need. Common fields include:

Find Free and Low-Cost Legal Help

These programs offer a variety of ways to get legal aid. Some limit their services to people with low incomes.

Find Legal Resources for Specific Groups

Stateside Legal - Find free legal help for military members, veterans, and their families.

Do you have a question?

Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They'll get you the answer or let you know where to find it.

What do lawyers do?

Different types of lawyers specialize in different areas of law. Some lawyers mostly do the work outside of the courtroom, such as drafting contracts and wills, preparing documents to comply with a process, negotiating deals, and advising clients on a legal problem. There are also lawyers who present cases in court or litigations ...

What is a business lawyer?

Also known as corporate lawyers, business lawyers are legal eagles who cover a more full range of expertise in building, managing, maintaining, transferring and dissolving a business. Lawyers in this area of practice deal with the formation of the company, employment contracts, tax compliance, acquisitions, and mergers.

What is a family lawyer?

Family Lawyers. These are lawyers who handle all kinds of domestic cases, such as divorce, legal separation, child custody, adoption, paternity, alimony, prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, and emancipation. But family attorneys may also handle reproductive rights cases, and their work may intersect with other areas of the law.

Why do we need malpractice lawyers?

Since these are professions that ascribe to a set of standards , they have greater professional responsibilities that may be challenged in the courtroom or in litigation.

What is a real estate lawyer?

Real estate lawyers provide legal guidance for individuals or companies seeking to buy or sell a property. They work with their clients and the real estate agents to draft documents and ensure that the paperwork is legally binding. They may also negotiate for the buyer or seller, or represent a property owner during a foreclosure dispute.

What kind of lawyer handles reproductive rights?

But family attorneys may also handle reproductive rights cases, and their work may intersect with other areas of the law. For instance, if there’s a criminal investigation of child abuse or a domestic violence case, or if there’s a juvenile delinquency case, a family lawyer may also work with a criminal lawyer. 3. Estate Planning Lawyers.

What do IP lawyers need to know?

They need to have expert knowledge in both business and innovation trends. IP lawyers may also negotiate settlements on behalf of the creator or inventor if someone has infringed on their work, such as in cases where branded goods are faked and sold for a lower price in the market.

What do city attorneys do?

City attorneys advise a municipal government’s leadership on legal matters that may impact the city. They must be well-versed in state law governing the creation and operation of municipal governments. Additionally, city attorneys must know the law related to human resources, open meetings, open records, contracts, taxes, and criminal records. ...

Where do CIty attorneys work?

CIty attorneys work in offices but usually need to travel for meetings, court, and other city matters. This can be a high-pressure job depending on what's happening in the city.

What skills do city attorneys need?

Communication skills: City attorneys must be able to clearly present and explain complex information verbally and in writing. Problem-solving skills: The city attorney will need to help resolve a number of issues that will impact the city.

What is the advice of a city attorney?

The city attorney’s advice may include opinions about whether the changes are good policy, but the most important pieces are whether the changes are permissible under state and federal law and whether the city is exposing itself to legal risk by making the changes.

What do lawyers need to become a lawyer?

Most states require lawyers to complete a Juris Doctor degree from a law school that's accredited by the American Bar Association.

How much will lawyers be employed in 2026?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for all types of lawyers will grow 8 percent through 2026, which is slightly faster than the overall employment growth of 7 percent for all occupations in the country.

Do city attorneys make less money?

Government attorneys typically make less money than private sector attorneys. A city attorney’s salary is highly correlated to the size of the city. When interviewing for a city attorney position, look at the salaries of the current city manager, former city attorney, and city department heads to prepare yourself for salary negotiations.

What can an employment lawyer do?

An employment lawyer can help an employee file the complaint with the appropriate agency and explain the time limit in which the claim must be filed and other factors related to the claim.

What is a worker's compensation lawyer?

Workers’ compensation claims arise when an employee is injured or becomes ill due to work. An employment lawyer may assist an employee in filing a claim or an appeal. He or she may also represent the employer’s interests and help substantiate a denial.

What is a discrimination lawsuit?

An employment discrimination lawsuit may arise when an employee is terminated, demoted, reassigned, not hired or otherwise the recipient of adverse employment action that is based on a protected status. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex and religion.

Can an employee file a lawsuit against another employee?

In some cases, an employee may have a third party lawsuit against another party other than an employer for a work-related injury. Employment lawyers help prepare complaints, communicate with the legal representative of the other side and appear in court on behalf of the client.

Can employees join in a class action?

When many employees are similarly affected by adverse action by an employer, such as discrimination or a wage and hour claim , the employees may join together in a class action against the employer. This arrangement involves multiple plaintiffs. The advantage for the employees is that they can split the cost of litigating between the party members.

Harassment at Work

Whether it is your employer or fellow employees who engage in sexual or other harassment at the workplace, you have rights.

Workplace Violence

There are strict laws against violence, but violence does happen in the workplace. All workers have the right to a safe workplace. A qualified employment attorney can help you get the justice you deserve.

Unlawful Termination

The employer’s right to terminate the employees is not absolute; it is conditional. Your termination may be illegal given your situation, and you could fall into a protected class.

Overtime Collection

Some employers could take undue advantage of their employees regarding overtime e.g., unpaid overtime work or working off the clock.

Hour and Wage Issues

If you believe your employer is not following minimum wage laws, or you feel you are not getting the money according to your work, consult an employment lawyer.

Why do I need an attorney?

Why might I need a lawyer to handle a employment-related problem? To fully enforce state and federal laws protecting employees against illegal actions by their employers, you will need an attorney in many situations where you have a serious problem with your employer and need to take legal action.

What is employment law?

Employment law is a highly specialized and an ever-changing area of the law with significant gray areas. Retain someone who has represented individual employees, not employers. For more information on potential sources for employment lawyers, see the Workplace Fairness employment attorney directory.

Can an employer file a lawsuit without a lawyer?

Most employers have much more experience and resources than you to evaluate and handle claims. An employee who has not consulted an attorney can be at a real disadvantage. Succeeding in an employment lawsuit without a lawyer (called filing "pro se") is virtually impossible.

A Lawyer Can Determine if You Did Experience Discrimination

In some cases, you might not be sure whether or not the behaviors or actions you experienced are considered discrimination. Discrimination doesn’t always occur as obviously as some might expect, so you could be questioning if legal action is even warranted to begin with.

Your Lawyer Will Take on the Difficult Work

You don’t want to risk any issues while completing paperwork and meeting deadlines for your case. Employment discrimination lawyers know the hard work that goes into these cases and can take it on so that you don’t have to.

Experienced Lawyers Know the Evidence You Need

If you want to win your case, you’ll need evidence proving that you suffered due to discrimination in the workplace. While you might know evidence will be required, you might not know exactly what that entails. Gathering evidence can be a difficult task, especially when you don’t know what types of evidence you’ll need or how to access all of it.

Consult with an Employment Discrimination Lawyer Today

There are many benefits of having an employment lawyer represent you. If you’ve experienced any type of discrimination, you deserve to get justice, and your best chance at doing this is by working with an employment discrimination lawyer who understands what your case needs and will provide the support that can get you through this process.

What are some examples of lawsuits against a city?

Examples of situations that could give rise to a lawsuit against a city include: Being hit by a government vehicle (police car, public works vehicle, parks and rec truck, city bus, construction vehicle, public school bus, etc.) Slipping and falling due to hazardous conditions in a government building, such as City Hall or the Secretary ...

Why is it harder to sue a city than to sue an individual?

However, regardless of where you live, one thing is almost certain: it will be harder to sue the city than it would be to sue an individual or private organization, because governments have special legal protections and additional resources that aren’t available to private parties.

How to file a claim against a city?

First, you’ll generally file a claim with the city government, at which point you’ll be directed to either the city attorney’s office or the risk management division. Once the city receives your claim, it has three options: Accept the claim and pay your damages. Negotiate with you to try and settle your case for less than the full amount ...

What is a member of a law firm called?

Depending on the legal structure of the firm, they might be called "Members" or "Shareholders.". While law firms often have a "Managing Partner" who runs the operations of the firm, most firms do not typically use the more corporate-style language of "CEO" or "President.". Associates: Lawyers who are employed by a firm, but who aren't owners, ...

Why is it important to know the roles and responsibilities of the people in your lawyer's office?

Knowing who these people are and what they do may help you to be a more informed consumer of legal services and make your lawyer's representation more efficient. Partners: People commonly refer ...

What is a receptionist in a law firm?

He or she is the firm's initial contact with the outside world, and generally answers phones and greets clients at the door . Some receptionists double as paralegals or legal assistants, depending on the nature of the law firm.

Why is paralegal important?

Paralegals can serve a very important role in a law firm by providing critical support to lawyers when they are working on cases. In many instances, paralegals have a practical working knowledge of the law and of court or administrative procedures that makes them valuable to a law firm.

What is a law clerk?

Law clerks: Law clerks are ordinarily current law students working at a firm for academic credit, or for a small amount of money. Clerks will do legal research and otherwise assist lawyers in preparing cases and working on other law-related matters. Like associates, firms will bill out clerks at a much lower rate than partners.

What is administrative staff?

Administrative staff may include accountants, bookkeepers, librarians, billing and accounts receivable personnel, and human resources personnel. Marketing directors: Responsible for creating a positive image for their law firms, marketing directors are charged with attracting new clients and retaining existing ones.

What is a legal assistant?

Legal assistants: This is a catchall term that is sometimes used by law firms to describe anyone in a law office who assists attorneys in working on legal matters. It may include paralegals, legal secretaries, and other support staff.