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Best Employment Attorneys for Workplace Claims in the United States

Employment lawyers work against a clock most workers never hear about. A discrimination charge must reach the EEOC within 180 days of the act. That stretches to 300 days in states with their own fair employment agency. Ask a firm below which deadline applies where you worked.

We research each listing using public records, verified reviews, and direct evaluation. Our rankings reflect reputation, reliability, and results.

  • Bar standing and public disciplinary history review
  • Documented case results and courtroom trial experience
  • Peer recognition within the legal community
  • Client reviews, communication, and responsiveness
  • Overall online reputation and verified user feedback

Rankings are determined independently based on public information and editorial research.

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    Leading Employment Law Firms for Discrimination & Wage Claims

    Screenshot of the Coffman Employment Lawyers Website

    Coffman Employment Lawyers is a Columbus, OH practice that takes workplace cases and nothing else. The team has helped more than 47,000 employees across Ohio get paid, and it now serves Colorado as well.

    Attorneys here handle wage theft, unpaid overtime under the FLSA, and discrimination charges filed with the EEOC and the Ohio Civil Rights Commission. Class and collective actions are a regular part of the docket.

    Offices in Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati maintain statewide coverage. Cases run on a contingency fee, so clients owe nothing unless the firm recovers money for them.

    Screenshot of the Oberti Sullivan LLP Website

    More than $54 million in settlements and verdicts, counted after attorneys' fees, has gone to clients of this Houston employment law firm. Mark Oberti and Ed Sullivan both hold board certification in labor and employment law.

    The two argued and won a Fair Labor Standards Act case before the U.S. Supreme Court, something no other Houston employment practice has done. Chambers USA ranks the firm Band 1 for labor and employment work.

    Oberti Sullivan represents executives, employers, and employees. Matters include non-compete litigation, Sarbanes-Oxley and Dodd-Frank claims, DOL audits, and unpaid bonus disputes.

    Screenshot of the Ross Scalise Employment Lawyers Website

    Daniel Ross opened this Austin firm in 1998 to represent Texas workers in disputes with their employers. The practice has stayed on that side ever since.

    Ross Scalise Employment Lawyers handles workplace discrimination, retaliation, and overtime law matters, and files collective actions when a pay problem affects a whole group. Clients come from Austin, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi.

    Daniel Ross has practiced law for more than thirty years and is a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the American Board of Trial Advocates. Appointment offices operate in Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth.

    Screenshot of the The Law Office of Payab &amp; Associates Website

    The Law Office of Payab & Associates has represented California employees for over 25 years. Attorney David Payab built the Woodland Hills office around wage-and-hour disputes and disability and pregnancy discrimination.

    Cases often move through Los Angeles County courts, including the Van Nuys Courthouse. The firm takes both individual and class action matters.

    Staff works with clients in English and Spanish across the San Fernando Valley. There is no fee unless the office recovers money.

    Screenshot of the Leeds Law Firm Website
    396 W Greens Rd Suite 200, Houston, TX 77067, USA

    Wrongful termination and unpaid overtime make up much of the workplace caseload at Leeds Law Firm. The Houston office also reviews and negotiates severance agreements before employees sign them.

    Attorneys bring more than 20 years of combined experience and take FMLA and workers' compensation retaliation claims under Texas law. Staff assist clients in Spanish, and a second office operates in Atlanta.

    Screenshot of the Workplace Law Partners Website
    155 N Michigan Ave Suite 719, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

    Over $250 million recovered for Illinois workers makes Workplace Law Partners one of the better-known worker-rights firms in Chicago. Founding partner David J. Fish leads the litigation side.

    The team takes whistleblower claims, non-compete fights, unpaid wages, and executive and physician representation. Attorneys appear regularly before the Chicago Commission on Human Relations and the Illinois Department of Human Rights.

    Partners have more than 100 years of combined legal experience. A Naperville office runs by appointment.

    Screenshot of the Fidlon Legal, PC Website

    Few Atlanta practices represent federal government employees through the EEO complaint process. Fidlon Legal, PC does, and it keeps a second niche representing physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.

    Gregory R. Fidlon advises employers and employees on exit packages, restrictive covenants, FLSA pay disputes, and unemployment appeals before the Georgia Department of Labor. Mediation and arbitration often replace litigation when possible.

    The office sits in Buckhead, just off GA 400 at Lenox Road.

    Screenshot of the Lawyers for Employee and Consumer Rights Website

    Lawyers for Employee and Consumer Rights has recovered more than $100 million for California workers since 2015. The Burbank firm fields a team of over 30 attorneys and support staff.

    Claims cover FEHA discrimination, missed meal and rest breaks, independent contractor misclassification, and child labor protections. Cases proceed in state court, federal court, and AAA or JAMS arbitration when employers force it.

    Case reviews carry no upfront cost.

    Screenshot of the Wiley Wheeler, P.C. Website
    1651 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77006, USA

    Robert J. Wiley and Kalandra N. Wheeler are certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Their Houston firm sues employers and represents employees only.

    Cases reach state and federal court as well as the EEOC, the Department of Labor, and the Texas Workforce Commission. Coverage runs across Harris, Montgomery, Brazoria, Fort Bend, and Galveston counties.

    Screenshot of the Working Solutions Law Firm Website

    From a Grand Central address in Manhattan, Working Solutions Law Firm covers four states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.

    Severance negotiation is the stated specialty, alongside workplace discrimination, denied FMLA leave, and unpaid overtime. Class action results include settlements for telecom service technicians and financial services analysts.

    The firm represents employees and employers, and keeps additional offices in Livingston, Boston, and Stamford.

    Screenshot of the Manukyan Law Firm Website

    Glendale anchors the Manukyan Law Firm, whose employment attorneys take cases throughout greater Los Angeles and the rest of California.

    The office represents employees in wrongful termination, wage-and-hour, harassment, and retaliation disputes under FEHA and the California Labor Code. Remedies pursued include lost earnings, emotional distress damages, and reinstatement.

    Screenshot of the Working Now and Then Website

    Charles Joseph built Working Now and Then as a rights resource for workers rather than a standard firm website. He also founded Joseph & Kirschenbaum LLP, which has recovered over $200 million for clients.

    Guides explain wage theft, the NYC Freelance Isn't Free Act, New York discrimination law, and whistleblower protections. The site publishes in seven languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Russian, and Arabic.

    Screenshot of the Shirazi Law Firm Website
    Penthouse, 9454 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, USA

    Emanuel Shirazi defended large employers at national firms before he switched to the employee side. He now runs a Beverly Hills practice built around disability, pregnancy, and medical leave claims.

    Reported results include recoveries over $2.4 million for a denied medical leave and over $2.1 million in a disability case. Shirazi has tried more than a dozen cases and handles each client personally.

    Screenshot of the Mixon Law Firm - Atlanta Employment Attorney Website

    Racial discrimination and sexual harassment cases have anchored J. Stephen Mixon's Atlanta practice for over 20 years. He also takes hostile work environment claims, EEOC charges, employment contract disputes, and business litigation for clients across Georgia.

    Screenshot of the Eldessouky Law Website
    100 Oceangate #1255, Long Beach, CA 90802, USA

    A $1.53 million trial verdict for a registered nurse denied accommodation sits at the top of Eldessouky Law's case results. Mohamed Eldessouky runs the firm from Long Beach with six more California offices, and staff provide Spanish translation at no charge.

    Screenshot of the Anthony Z. Vargas, Esq., Attorney at Law Website

    Anthony Z. Vargas tried thousands of cases as a San Diego County Public Defender before turning to workplace law. He now represents employees only, in harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, and wage claims.

    Vargas appears at all four San Diego Superior Court locations and works with clients in English and Spanish.

    Screenshot of the Cary Kane LLP Website

    Cary Kane LLP works out of Herald Square in midtown Manhattan and represents three groups: employees, labor unions, and benefit plans. Matters include ERISA pension and insurance claims, unpaid tips and minimum-wage claims, and employment agreement reviews. Telephone case reviews are free.

    Screenshot of the Goldshaw Greenblatt Pierce LLC - Philadelphia Employment Lawyer Website

    Goldshaw Greenblatt Pierce LLC pairs workplace law with criminal defense, civil rights, and representation of sexual abuse survivors. The Philadelphia office sits in Two Penn Center on JFK Boulevard and handles wage disputes and employment litigation across the surrounding Pennsylvania counties.

    Screenshot of the Madsen, Prestley &amp; Parenteau LLC Website

    An $11.2 million win for Kevin Ollie against UConn ranks among this Connecticut firm's best-known outcomes. Madsen, Prestley & Parenteau has represented workers, executives, and whistleblowers for more than 25 years, including in precedent-setting cases at the Connecticut Supreme Court. Offices operate in Hartford and New London.

    Screenshot of the In Motion Law - San Diego Employment Lawyer Website

    The name In Motion Law points to law and motion practice, where founder Jack H. Pogosian does much of his work. His San Diego office takes employment, business, and injury matters for both employees and employers, drawing on earlier years in insurance defense.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How much does an employment lawyer cost?

    Usually nothing upfront. Most employee-side firms work on contingency and take a percentage of what they recover. Some charge hourly for severance review or contract negotiation. Many federal and state statutes also allow a winning employee to recover attorneys' fees from the employer.

    How long do I have to file a workplace discrimination claim?

    180 or 300 days. The EEOC deadline is 180 calendar days from the discriminatory act. It extends to 300 days where a state or local agency enforces a matching law. Federal employees follow a separate track and must contact an EEO counselor within 45 days.

    Can I be fired for no reason at all?

    Yes, in most states. At-will employment lets an employer end the job without cause. What it does not allow is an illegal reason. Firing someone over race, age, disability, pregnancy, or a protected complaint is still unlawful.

    What is a right-to-sue letter?

    Your ticket to court. The EEOC or the state agency issues it after processing your charge. You generally cannot file a discrimination lawsuit without one. Once it arrives, the window to sue is short, often 90 days.

    How long do employment cases take?

    Months to years. A wage claim through a labor commissioner can resolve in weeks. An agency investigation alone often runs six months or longer. Cases that reach litigation or arbitration commonly take a year or more.

    Does my employer have to be a certain size?

    Often, yes. Title VII and the ADA generally apply to employers with 15 or more employees. Age discrimination claims under the ADEA start at 20. State laws frequently cover much smaller employers, and some reach businesses with a single worker.

    Can I still bring a claim if I signed an arbitration agreement?

    Sometimes. Arbitration clauses are common in onboarding paperwork and many are enforceable. Courts do refuse ones that are one-sided or that shift costs onto the worker. Bring the agreement to your first meeting so a lawyer can read it.

    Types of Employment Law Cases

    Workplace Discrimination. Decisions about pay, promotion, or firing that turn on a protected trait. Race, sex, age, disability, religion, pregnancy, and national origin are the common grounds. Proof usually comes from timelines, comparators, and documents rather than a single remark.

    Harassment and Hostile Work Environment. Conduct tied to a protected trait that is severe or repeated enough to change the job itself. It covers verbal abuse, unwanted advances, and messages sent over Slack or text. Employers can be liable when they knew and did nothing.

    Wrongful Termination. A firing that breaks a statute, a contract, or public policy. Common triggers include reporting illegal conduct, requesting an accommodation, or filing an injury claim. Timing right after the protected act is often the strongest evidence.

    Unpaid Wages and Overtime. Off-the-clock work, missed breaks, shorted final paychecks, and denied overtime. Many claims start with an employee wrongly labeled exempt or treated as a contractor. Group claims are common because a single bad policy affects everyone covered by it.

    Retaliation and Whistleblowing. Punishment for reporting fraud, safety problems, or discrimination. The write-up, transfer, or demotion that follows a complaint is its own claim. It can succeed even when the original report turns out to be wrong.

    Leave and Accommodation Denials. FMLA and state leave interference, plus refusals to engage in the interactive process. Disability and pregnancy accommodation disputes also fall here. So does discipline aimed at someone who took approved leave.

    Severance and Contract Disputes. Review and negotiation before you sign away your claims. Also breach of employment agreements, unpaid commissions, and non-compete fights. Several states now void most non-competes outright.

    How to Choose an Employment Lawyer

    Check which side they represent. Some firms take only employees. Others defend employers or work both sides. Both models are legitimate, but ask before you share anything sensitive.

    Match the firm to your claim type. A wage and hour practice is not the same as a discrimination trial practice. Ask how many cases like yours they closed last year.

    Ask about trial experience. Employers settle differently with firms that actually try cases. Ask how many verdicts the attorneys have, not just settlements.

    Confirm who handles your file. In smaller firms the named attorney does the work. In larger ones the case may pass to an associate. Neither is wrong. You just want to know.

    Read the fee agreement before signing. Contingency percentages vary and often rise if the case goes to trial. Ask who advances case costs and what happens if you lose.

    Move early. Agency deadlines run in days, not years. Evidence in company email and chat systems disappears once you lose access.

    What Affects the Value of an Employment Case

    Outcomes turn on lost pay, how long you were out of work, and what you earn now. Emotional distress damages, statutory penalties, and fee-shifting can add substantially. Punitive damages are available in some cases but require proof of malice or reckless disregard. Documentation drives value more than unfairness does. A lawyer can review your records and give you a realistic range.