You look for a job, find a job, start working, everything seems to be great and close to your dream-job… However, the things change and some employment disputes come to the surface and you do not know how to deal with… Depending on the severity of your employment case, you may hire one of experienced employment lawyers to answer all your questions and give the best solution for your case.
Employment lawyer? What for?
There are a number of issues, which may lead to disputes between employer and employee. The related matters may refer to:
- Discrimination/harassment
- Wages and benefits
- Workplace health and safety
- Wrongful termination
- Breach of contract
- Family and medical leave etc.
If you face the mentioned issues, you become a subject of a litigation claim. Employment lawyers not only review the complaint but also advise you what to do next. He may advise to either negotiate a settlement of the issues or litigate a claim in the court. He will protect you against future dispute claims.
Find your employment lawyer
Surely, the employment law is one of the broadest areas of law. Accordingly, there are employment lawyers who specify their practice in one or few aspects. Consequently, finding an experienced lawyer doesn’t mean he/she is the one you need, be sure that your case is relevant to his/her field of practice. For instance, when you are a victim of workplace discrimination, then find an attorney who has experience in handling discrimination cases.
If your lawyer is a good one, he/she should also explain not only the rules but also the way how he/she works, i.e. fee arrangement upfront in order to avoid misunderstandings with the scheme of billing and costs. You should set a timeline for discussions and meetings on your case.
To find your lawyer out of many employment lawyers, you may start asking from your friends, family members, google for some suggestions etc. Local bar associations or legal aid clinics may also be a good source to find your employment lawyer. Moreover, you may check out legal websites such as MargarianLaw for a relevant attorney.
Asking questions to the attorney
You found your attorney and go for the first meeting. So, what to ask him? Here we suggest the questions you may ask on the meeting:
“What percentages of cases are tried in court as opposed to being settled?”
“How much of my case will you actually handle, or which matters might you pass on to other associates and/or paralegals”
“What percentage of your practice is devoted to handling employment matters similar to mine?”
“The number of your procedure for staying updated on the current laws and regulations?”
“What is your fee arrangement?”
Employment lawyers and the state laws
It is a fact that each state has specific legal regulations for all kind of cases. It is important to find an attorney who is specialized in your state. He/she should be aware of both current state federal labor laws and regulations, also be familiar with a number of federal agency rules and organizations as:
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC),
- Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA),
- Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and so on
It is of great importance to contact a lawyer in an exact time when the case is “fresh”. It will ensure the possibility of satisfactory recovery in the case of lost time, money, damages etc.
Their knowledge should be based on real practice and not only textbooks with theory and zero practice. No matter the constant changes of employment law, the experienced attorney is always there with an up-to date information and support.
When do you need an attorney?
There is no way out but to hire an employment lawyer when:
- You think your termination was illegal
- You want to end the employment contract because of the employer’s bad conduct
- As an employer, you are not aware of your rights after the termination
- You want to file a lawsuit
- You are not satisfied with governmental agency’s investigation of your case
- The employee forced you to sign “release of claims” you didn’t know about etc.
Don’t delay your consultation with an employment attorney. And don’t be afraid of getting cheated. Just follow our advice and go ahead, no time wasted!
