my first encounter with the law was when i met with an employment attorney

by Ryleigh Powlowski 7 min read

When should I contact an employment lawyer?

Jun 11, 2021 · An employer should contact an employment attorney if: They need representation in collective bargaining negotiations with a union; An employee has filed a complaint for discrimination or harassment against them; When an employee has filed a lawsuit naming them as a defendant for an employment related matter; or.

How should I approach my first meeting with my lawyer?

Jun 15, 2020 · The cost of hiring employment lawyers can vary substantially depending on a range of factors. These can include the lawyer’s skills, qualifications, and the nature of your case. Generally, however, most employment attorneys charge their clients based on either contingency fees, hourly rates, or flat fees.

What happens if I show up to my lawyer 10 minutes late?

Employment Attorneys for Cincinnati, Ohio. Before contacting an employment attorney, it may be helpful to think about whether your specific situation could potentially be grounds for a lawsuit. Click here to learn about different employment situations that could enable you to take legal action. If you are still not sure whether legal action is ...

How can an employment lawyer help employees form a union?

At Morgan & Morgan, we handle a variety of civil litigation cases involving unfair labor practices against employees. Our attorneys possess the knowledge, dedication, and experience required to represent workers in a wide range of labor disputes. In fact, Morgan & Morgan has been recognized for filing more labor and employment cases than any ...

What is it called when you meet with a lawyer for the first time?

All attorneys meet with prospective clients in what is called an initial consultation. This is a first meeting between you and the lawyer to help you both decide whether you want to work together in an attorney-client relationship.

Why is it important to have an employment lawyer?

An employment attorney can help employers and employees work together to reach a resolution in the event of a problem, from wages and workplace safety to discrimination and wrongful termination.

How do you know if you have a good case?

There must be fault, damages, and adequate coverage. If there are a lot of damages but no fault, the case is not economically viable. If there is a lot of fault but no damages, the case is not economically viable.

How long does it take for a lawyer to call you back?

A: The lawyer should be responsive to your questions within 24-48 hours after you left a message. If the lawyer is not responsive, perhaps he or she is on vacation and unable to return.Dec 28, 2019

What does employment law do?

Employment law regulates the relationship between employers and employees. It governs what employers can expect from employees, what employers can ask employees to do, and employees' rights at work.

What does a corporate lawyer do?

Corporate lawyers structure transactions, draft documents, negotiate deals, attend meetings and make calls toward those ends. A corporate lawyer works to ensure that the provisions of an agreement are clear, unambiguous and won't cause problems for their client in the future.Oct 10, 2016

How long does it take for a lawyer to review a case?

Question: Why is it taking so long for your lawyer to make a decision whether to accept your case? Answer: It should rarely take more than 4-6 weeks for a malpractice lawyer to make a decision about your case.

Can a lawyer refuse to take a case?

Ever wondered whether a lawyer can refuse a case? Refusing to fight for a person , be accused in a case or victim of crime , cannot be denied by a lawyer. Every person have the right to be defended in a case, even the poorest of the poor too. They cannot be denied that right to be defended.Apr 9, 2020

What does have a strong case mean?

A strong case is all about having evidence or arguments for a specific point of view. That can be against something or for something, it's the same either way. Say that someone proposes that a new road should be built. Some people will make a strong case for building the road.Jun 19, 2011

What should you not say to a lawyer?

9 Taboo Sayings You Should Never Tell Your LawyerI forgot I had an appointment. ... I didn't bring the documents related to my case. ... I have already done some of the work for you. ... My case will be easy money for you. ... I have already spoken with 5 other lawyers. ... Other lawyers don't have my best interests at heart.More items...•Mar 17, 2021

Why do lawyers take so long to reply?

Once a case gets filed in court, things can really slow down. Common reasons why a case will take longer than one would hope can include: Trouble getting the defendant or respondent served. The case cannot proceed until the defendant on the case has been formally served with the court papers.May 28, 2020

Is it normal to not hear from your lawyer?

Throughout the process of getting your financial settlement after becoming injured, there may be periods of time that you do not hear from your attorney. Although this can be unnerving, it is a normal part of the legal process.Oct 25, 2018

When should I contact an employment attorney?

A person should contact an employment attorney as soon as they become aware of an issue. If a person waits to contact an attorney, the delay could prevent them from proving the conduct committed by the employer and thus from recovering damages.

What should I do before meeting with a lawyer?

Before meeting with a lawyer, a person should prepare themselves to describe their problem with a brief, clear summary.

What can an employment lawyer advise employers about?

Of course, an employment lawyer can also advise employers about their rights and responsibilities regarding union workers and efforts of employees to unionize in an employer’s workplace.

What are the legal issues that employment lawyers handle?

Employment lawyers handle employment-related legal issues, including: Wrongful termination; Workplace discrimination; Sexual harassment; Contract violations;

How much does an attorney charge per hour?

Hourly rate: Most attorneys charge for employment cases according to a set hourly rate. In California, the median attorney hourly rate starts at $350 for smaller, less experienced firms and $450 for larger more experienced firms.

What to do if an employee is not unionized?

If an employee works in a non-unionized workplace and wants to try to unionize, the employee may well want to consult an employment lawyer. An employment lawyer can help by advising employees about their right to form a union and the activities in which they can engage in connection with that effort.

Why does an employer retaliate against a person?

The employer has retaliated against the person because they exercised a right such as requesting overtime pay to which they are entitled by law;. The person’s employment has been terminated in violation of an employment contract, express or implied;

What should an employment lawyer do?

The employment lawyer should be able to give you an assessment of your case and an educated guess of how it could go, either worst-case or best-case, and prepare you for either outcome.

Why is it important to have an employment attorney?

How the employment attorney approaches this question is really important, because they should have your best interest at heart. If you feel the lawyer encouraged clients to settle even if they wanted to take the case to trial, or vice-versa, they may not be the best lawyer for you.

Why do employers need employment attorneys?

Employment attorneys help both employers and employees to have an adequate understanding of the state and federal employment laws. This way, employers are better guided when making bylaws for their companies.

What is the job of an attorney?

For attorneys that represent the employer, one standard duty they perform is helping their clients to continue in compliance with state and federal employment laws. These include anti-discrimination laws and other government policies. They make sure that their clients do not discriminate based on race, age, religion, national origin, color, disability, sex, and more.

What is an employment union?

Employment unions uphold workers’ rights and privileges. They act as arbitrators between workers, employers, and the law. However, many employees do not belong to an employee union. They’re mostly powerless or at a disadvantage when their employers take illegal actions against them. As such, employment lawyers represent them.

What can an employee do to file a compensation claim?

When an employee suffers an injury or falls ill due to work, they can file a compensation claim. Employment lawyers help employees with filing these claims or appeals. Similarly, they could represent the employer’s interest in issuing a denial.

Why do people violate state and federal laws?

Some employers subject their employees to unfair and illegal conditions. Due to fear of retaliation, loss of benefits and wages, discrimination, and so on, most employees would rather not speak up. Others are simply unaware of what their employee rights are at the workplace.

What are the causes of a class action?

Actions such as wage and hour violations, discrimination, and harassment are common causes for a class action.

Can an employee sue a third party?

An employee may issue a lawsuit against a third party other than the employer they work for directly. In some cases, it may be as a result of an injury acquired during work or something similar.

So when exactly should you contact an employment attorney for a work-related problem?

Your boss has “favorites” in the company, and this favoritism is clearly based on a characteristic like race, gender, or sexual orientation. Favoritism in the workplace isn’t considered unlawful unless it is based on a personal characteristic protected under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or another discrimination statute.

Employment Attorneys for Cincinnati, Ohio

Before contacting an employment attorney, it may be helpful to think about whether your specific situation could potentially be grounds for a lawsuit. Click here to learn about different employment situations that could enable you to take legal action.

What are the forms of unfair labor practices?

Unfair and discriminatory labor practices against employees can take many forms, including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, refusal to give a reasonable accommodation, denial of leave, employer retaliation, and wage and hour violations.

What does it mean when an employee is forced to tolerate sexual harassment?

For example, an employee may be forced to tolerate sexual harassment from a manager as a condition of their continued employment.

What is workplace harassment?

When workers are subjected to slurs, assaults, threats, ridicule, offensive jokes, unwelcome sexual advances, or verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, it can be considered workplace harassment. Similar to workplace discrimination, workplace harassment creates a hostile and abusive work environment.

What is wrongful termination?

This is termed wrongful termination, wrongful discharge, or wrongful dismissal. There are many scenarios that may be grounds for a wrongful termination lawsuit, including: Firing an employee out of retaliation. Discrimination.

What is defamation in the workplace?

Defamation is generally defined as the act of damaging the reputation of a person through slanderous (spoken) or libelous (written) comments. When defamation occurs in the workplace, it has the potential to harm team morale, create alienation, or even cause long-term damage to a worker’s career prospects.

What happens if you are fired without cause?

If you believe you may have been fired without proper cause, our labor and employment attorneys may be able to help you recover back pay, unpaid wages, and other forms of compensation.

Can leave of absence be denied?

Leave of absence can be unfairly denied in a number of ways, including: Firing a employee who took a leave of absence for the birth or adoption of their baby without just cause. Demoting an employee who took a leave of absence to care for a dying parent without just cause.

What to do if you are thinking about filing a lawsuit?

If you’re thinking about filing suit, you probably want to speak to a lawyer. Confusing claims: There are some employment laws on the books that you might not be aware of, so you might have a case you don’t know about. And there are some laws you think exist, that don’t.

When a work situation has reached a level where initiating an agency complaint or process is being considered, should an

When a work situation has reached a level where initiating an agency complaint or process is being considered, an employee should approach the decision as objectively as possible, despite the fact that at such a point the situation likely is very emotionally charged.

What do you sign at a disciplinary meeting?

To attend a disciplinary meeting (take good notes, don’t sign anything except a form acknowledging receipt of the discipline , and sign “as to receipt only, rebuttal to follow); To sign documents you understand, like applications, insurance forms, and tax documents.

Who should be the sounding board for an employee?

It could be a spouse or partner, a good friend, shop steward, or even a counselor in an employee assistance program (EAP).

Do employers take terminations seriously?

Being taken seriously: Some employers don’t take you seriously unless you have representation.

What to do if you can't reach your lawyer?

If you can’t reach your lawyer you should be able to reach the office or another staff member who can set up an appointment with you or a good time to reach them . Keep in mind that missed phone calls happen to the best of us, but your lawyer should never ignore you.

What to do if your lawyer isn't communicating?

If your lawyer isn’t communicating, you might consider switching to a new attorney. To avoid this in the future, ask your lawyer how the best way to reach them is during the consultation. This way you’ll know if they prefer email over phone calls and you can avoid any miscommunication. 2. Lack of Enthusiasm.

How do you know if a lawyer is unethical?

Unethical/Illegal Behavior. Although some lawyers may have bad habits such as lack of communication, one of the biggest signs of a lawyer is if they practice unethically or even illegally. As important as it is to win your case, your lawyer should never do so by breaking the law or lying and he is a bad lawyer.

What happens if you hire a lawyer and you overcharge?

If you lawyer is overbilling you, they could be inflating a task time, also know as “padding time”.

What is the biggest part of being a lawyer?

One of the biggest parts about being a lawyer is convincing the jury to go in your favor. If your attorney isn’t enthusiastic about your case or seems unsure, that should raise some red flags.

Do lawyers start at the bottom?

Like any job, some lawyers start out on the bottom and need to work their way to the top. Despite what online reviews say, if you notice a lack of respect for your lawyer in the courtroom or by other peers, it’s a red flag. Your lawyer needs to be respected and taken seriously, especially if your case goes to trial.

When arraignment is combined with initial appearances, the hearing must be held “as soon as is reasonably

When arraignments are combined with initial appearances, the hearing must be held “as soon as is reasonably feasible , but in no event later than 48 hours after arrest.” (Weekends are included within those 48 hours.) Under federal law, if the hearing is held later than 48 hours post-arrest, and the delay was not “reasonable,” confessions by the defendant should be suppressed. The government must convince the judge that an emergency caused the delay (inability to find an available judge on a Friday afternoon would not normally constitute an emergency). In practice, however, defendants prevail only when they’re able to link the delay to their conviction, as when, for example, critical evidence is lost between arrest and hearing and would have been secured but for the defendant’s tardy day in court.

What happens when a prosecutor adds charges?

Or, after a defendant has been arraigned on the prosecutor’s filed “complaint,” the prosecutor may bring the case before the grand jury, which might issue an “information.” The defendant will be entitled to a subsequent arraignment on this new charging document.

What is probable cause hearing?

Probable cause. If the police arrested the defendant without a warrant, the initial appearance or arraignment may be combined with what s called a “ probable cause ” hearing. Here, the court determines whether sufficient evidence exists to hold the defendant.

What happens if the judge decides there is not enough evidence to convict a defendant?

If the judge decides that not enough evidence exists to reasonably suspect that a crime was committed and the defendant committed it, the judge will dismiss the case. Plea. The court might take the defendant’s plea —guilty or not guilty—at this point.

What happens when you are arrested?

From Arrest to the Courtroom. When people are arrested for allegedly committing a crime, the police will take them to the local jail for booking. Jail personnel will confiscate and store the person’s belongings, such as wallets, keys, and phones, and take fingerprints and photographs. Arrestees are placed in a jail cell, ...

What is the first hearing in court called?

The initial appearance starts the criminal process in court. At this first hearing, sometimes referred to as an arraignment, arrestees learn of the charges filed against them. This hearing is likely just the first of many hearings to come.

Why do people have to be taken before a judge?

When people are arrested for allegedly committing crimes, they must be taken before a judge relatively quickly to learn of the charges against them, their constitutional rights, any bail options, and other matters.

3 attorney answers

Beware. You and your employer are under no obligation to respond (and lawyers don't usually make such calls).

Paula Brown Sinclair

You should order your credit report and see if any judgments or collection accounts appear on the report. Unless you signed a wage assignment, the only way wages can be garnished is by court order after a judgment against you is obtained, so they would have to serve your employer with a copy of the proper court documents.

Tara Leigh Goodwin

Something is fishy about this. Hopefully your employer did not provide any information, or at the very least, will notify you when and if any "garnishment" notice is received.

What Should I Bring?

How Should I Act During The Meeting with The Lawyer?

  • Treat your first meeting as a business consultation. While you are trying to develop a friendly rapport with your lawyer, you also want him or her to see you as a serious client with serious needs. 1. Be prompt. Lawyers value their time, since they generally bill by the hour. Showing up ten minutes late could throw off the rest of the lawyer's sche...
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Get An Understanding of The Attorney's Fee Structure and Related Costs

  • As part of your initial meeting with your attorney, it's important to understand the anticipated cost of the representation and how this will be calculated. Different lawyers bill their clients differently. Some charge by the hour; some charge by the project, on a flat-fee or contingency basis. In the case of lawyers who charge hourly, some start out by charging a retainer, which is an initial up-fr…
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Clarify What Will Happen After The Meeting

  • Be clear on what will happen next, and then be sure to follow through on whatever you're asked to do by your new attorney. The attorney will need cooperation from your end. Commonly, a lawyer will ask you to send additional documents or information pertaining to your case so that he or she can review it in detail. If it's not clearly spelled out in your representation agreement, ask the law…
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Questions For Your Attorney

  1. How long have you practiced in this area of law?
  2. How many cases have you handled that are like mine?
  3. What was the outcome in those cases?
  4. How long does it typically take to resolve cases like mine?
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