Employment Law Lawyers — What They Do & When You Need One

Most U.S. employment is “at will,” but employers still cannot fire, demote or harass you because of race, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, age, disability or for reporting illegal conduct, taking protected leave or filing a workers’ comp claim. Deadlines are short — an EEOC charge is often due within 180 or 300 days. Employment lawyers represent workers and also advise employers on compliance and defense.

What a employment lawyer does

Evaluates whether a termination or treatment was unlawful, not just unfair
Files EEOC/state agency charges and lawsuits for discrimination and retaliation
Negotiates severance packages and reviews non-competes
Defends employers and drafts handbooks and policies

When you need a employment lawyer

You were fired soon after complaining, taking leave or getting injured
You experienced harassment and HR did not fix it
You were offered a severance agreement to sign
You are being misclassified as a contractor or denied accommodations

Questions to ask before you hire a employment lawyer

Is what happened to me illegal, or just unfair?
What is my deadline to file with the EEOC or the state agency?
Do you work on contingency or hourly for cases like mine?
Should I sign this severance, and can you negotiate it?

Common questions

Can I be fired for no reason?

In at-will states, yes — for no reason or a bad reason, but not an illegal one. The question is whether the real reason was discrimination, retaliation or a breach of a contract or policy.

Find a employment lawyer near you

Choose your state to see listed firms and the official bar directory for verifying any lawyer’s license.