Employment Lawyer Overview
Last updated: April 10, 2026
What Does an Employment Lawyer Do?
An employment lawyer represents employees who have been mistreated by employers. They handle wrongful termination, workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, wage and hour violations, retaliation, and other workplace legal issues. These attorneys help workers recover lost wages, get reinstated, or receive compensation for damages.
Areas of Employment Law
Wrongful Termination
- Firing for illegal reasons (discrimination, retaliation, whistleblowing)
- Breach of employment contract
- Violations of public policy
- Constructive discharge (forced to quit)
Workplace Discrimination
- Race and color
- Sex and gender
- Age (40+ under federal law)
- Disability (ADA)
- National origin
- Religion
- Pregnancy
- Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Genetic information
Sexual Harassment
- Quid pro quo (something for something)
- Hostile work environment
- Same-sex harassment
- Retaliation for reporting
Wage and Hour Violations
- Unpaid overtime
- Minimum wage violations
- Misclassification (employee vs. contractor)
- Off-the-clock work
- Tipped employee violations
- Meal and rest break violations
Retaliation
- For complaints about discrimination
- For whistleblowing
- For requesting accommodations
- For taking FMLA leave
- For workers' comp claims
Other Issues
- FMLA violations
- ADA accommodations
- Severance negotiations
- Non-compete enforcement/defense
- Whistleblower protection
Compensation You May Recover
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Lost wages (back pay) | Wages lost from termination to verdict |
| Front pay | Future lost wages |
| Benefits | Health insurance, retirement |
| Emotional distress | Mental anguish damages |
| Punitive damages | For egregious conduct |
| Attorney's fees | Often paid by losing employer |
| Reinstatement | Getting your job back |
How Much Does an Employment Lawyer Cost?
Most employment lawyers work on contingency:
- No upfront cost
- Percentage of recovery (33-40%)
- No fee if no recovery
- Some charge hourly for consultations or unique cases
Federal laws often allow attorney's fees to be paid by the employer if you win, making lawyers willing to take strong cases.
Average Settlement Amounts
| Case Type | Range |
|---|---|
| Wrongful termination | $40,000-$250,000 |
| Discrimination | $40,000-$300,000 |
| Sexual harassment | $50,000-$500,000 |
| Wage theft | Varies by amount owed |
| Severe cases | $1,000,000+ |
Time Limits
Employment claims have strict deadlines:
- EEOC charges: Often 180-300 days
- State agency claims: Varies
- Lawsuits: 1-3 years from incident
- Wage claims: 2-3 years (sometimes longer)
Don't wait. Contact an employment lawyer as soon as possible.
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