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What Does an Employment Attorney Do?

Employment attorneys represent both employers and employees in workplaces disputes, including:
    Mistreatment by employer
  • Wrongful termination
  • Desired termination of an unsatisfactory employee
  • Unemployment compensation
  • Discussion of wages/benefits
A labor lawyer is similar to an employment lawyer, but deals specifically with the issues that concern labor unions.:

How Do I Know If I Need an Employment Attorney?

An employment attorney may be useful if you're an employee trying to go up against your boss because you likely signed a contract when you joined the company. An attorney can interpret the contract, as well as the various employment laws so that you have the best chance of winning your case.

As an employer, you may want to work with an employment attorney if you're being sued for any mistreatment or discrimination, negligence, allowing a hazardous work environment, or wrongful termination.

If you're even just confused about the employment laws in your state, you may want to consult with an employment attorney. Reaching out to a lawyer can preempt any issues or help you decide whether you have a case against your employee or employer.

How Much Does an Employment Attorney Charge?

In many cases, an employment attorney will charge by the hour to file paperwork, give advice, or to represent you in court. In some cases, an attorney will charge a contingency, meaning you have no upfront fees and your lawyer is paid a percentage if you win your case. Your lawyer is most likely to use this method in strong cases against an employer being sued for mistreatment of some type. Your exact fees will depend on where in the country you live and what you're asking of your lawyer. Set a rate up front with your attorney so that you know what to expect.

What Should I Expect from This Process?

You can expect that any dissatisfaction with an employer or employee will be dealt with. Often after filing a complaint and winning, you receive compensation. Compensation may not be involved—you just be allowed to let go of your employee or keep your job if you're the employee. You may be able to resolve your issues out of court as well, which will save everyone time and money. Hiring an attorney is the best course of action to win your case because a lawyer knows the laws and procedures that may be hard for you to figure out.

Please note: This page offers general legal information, but not legal advice tailored for your specific legal situation. Rocket Lawyer Incorporated isn't a law firm or a substitute for one. For further information on this topic, you can Ask a Legal Pro.


Written and Reviewed by Experts
Written and Reviewed by Experts
This article was created, edited and reviewed by trained editorial staff who specialize in translating complex legal topics into plain language.

At Rocket Lawyer, we believe legal information should be both reliable and easy to understand—so you don't need a law degree to feel informed. We follow a rigorous editorial policy to ensure every article is helpful, clear, and as accurate and up-to-date as possible.

About this page:

  • This article was written and reviewed by Rocket Lawyer editorial staff
  • This article was last reviewed or updated on Sep 23, 2022

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