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How to hire an Employment Lawyer in California?

By on February 26, 2017

If you have got a job, you might have a work-related issue from time to time. It’s normal and there is nothing to worry about.

However, if you feel as if having a really serious work-related dispute, then you might need a lawyer.

Before hiring an employment lawyer in California, you will need to do a number of things like finding the best lawyer, learning about the prices, collecting documents etc.

Hence, this article will focus on how to hire an employment lawyer in California that you will be more than happy with.

The role of an employment lawyer

First of all, let’s see who an employment lawyer is and what they can do for you. Employment lawyers can advise both employers and employees. They help ensure that employers treat all employees in a fair manner. Usually, employment attorneys help write and review employee handbooks, help with wage law problems and claims, represent employers and provide advice on National Labor Relations Board issues. Also, those employees who have been discriminated against can turn to employment lawyers for legal help. Usually, these are issues connected with sexual harassment, unfair labor laws and different types of discrimination.

More specifically, an employment lawyer can do the following things for you:

  • Evaluate your case and tell you what outcomes to expect
  • Provide advice on whether to negotiate a settlement or file a complaint in court
  • Defend you in the court
  • Keep you up to date regarding any new laws and rulings that might affect your case
  • Help you collect the reimbursement you deserve

Tip* Because employment cases are often complex and might take a long time to resolve, make sure to find the best lawyer possible.

How to find the perfect employment lawyer for your case?

Employment cases might be different. For example, yours can be a discrimination case, or a wrongful termination, or an issue connected with wages and benefits, or your family medical leave. Before you jump into finding the best lawyer for your case, make sure you determine what category your case falls to. Then, look for a lawyer who has got enough experience dealing with similar cases. There are different ways to find an employment lawyer. You can do the following:

  • Type the keyword “Employment lawyers in California” in a search engine
  • Browse Avvo’s legal directory
  • Search for them in Linkedin/Facebook
  • Contact your local legal aid office
  • Ask friends and family members
  • See who the most reputable employment lawyer in your community is

Tip* Aim for up to five attorney referrals. Then schedule a separate consultation with each of them.

How to prepare for the consultation?

Most law firms offer a free initial consultation. Others might charge you a regular hourly fee. In any case, it’s a good idea to prepare well before you see the lawyer. Start with collecting all the relevant documents that you think the lawyer might ask you for. These can include employment contracts, employee handbooks, email communications and so on. One more thing you might need to take with you is a fact chronology. This is just a list of dates and facts on what happened when. Your employment lawyer will need this to use it as evidence in the court.

Another important thing to do during the consultation is to ask a lot of questions. Apart from telling the lawyer about your dispute, make sure you understand how they are going to defend your rights. For example, you can ask similar questions:

  1. How much of my case will you handle personally and how much of it you will hand off to your associates?
  2. What percentage of victories do you have in similar cases?
  3. What should I expect from this case?

Pay attention to how the lawyer answers your questions. Their answers should be realistic. Do not trust someone who merely gives promises or makes bold predictions. Also, ask about how they are going to charge you. Some lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means that the lawyer will not charge you anything until they win the case for you. However, other lawyers work on an hourly-fee basis. Make sure you determine how much money the lawyer will charge you per hour before you hire them.

At the end

These are the main things to consider when hiring an employment lawyer in California. If the employer has violated your rights, be bold and stand up for yourself. No one is going to defend you better than a good employment lawyer is. Consider the pros and cons of filing a lawsuit against the employer and go for it if you think it’s worth your time and energy. Good luck!

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About Anna Aria

I am a storyteller with a passion for knowledge and a flair for writing. I strongly believe that knowledge is meant to be shared, for there is a lot we can learn from each other. My hobbies include reading, drinking wine, and traveling.

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