Detroit Employment Law Violation Attorneys for Lawyers

Like other employees, lawyers can face violations of state and federal employment laws in the workplace. Lawyers may witness or be victims of discriminatory practices, suspect financial or ethical wrongdoing, or need advice about contract or compensation issues. If you find yourself on the other side of the table, our experienced employment lawyers can help.

Lawyers who practice employment law understand the complexity of employment law questions and the value of experienced objective representation. Lawyers who don’t regularly practice employment law may suspect a violation has occurred but need guidance from an attorney who handles these matters regularly.

At Sommers Schwartz, we understand that your career, compensation, and reputation can be at stake. We have extensive experience with a wide variety of employment law issues, including conflicts that arise between lawyers and employers.

Employment Contracts

Employment contracts offer clarity and security to both an employee and employer. Parties to the employment contract must structure the agreement carefully, and both sides must uphold their respective responsibilities.

Employment contracts often include:

• Compensation, including salaries, bonuses, stock options, and other benefits.
• Opportunities for ownership and how an employed attorney becomes a partner.
• Job duties and notes about related relationships, including access to paralegals, secretaries, and other assistants.
• Restrictions and protections, such as non-compete terms, non-disclosure terms, and confidentiality clauses.
• Entitlements at the end of service, such as a severance package.

An employment contract often includes terms for addressing disputes, such as requiring mediation or arbitration before the parties commence legal action.

Employment Incentives

Experienced lawyers have a wealth of valuable knowledge and skills. When hiring new talent, employers may offer stock options, avenues for partnership, bonus structures, and other incentives.

If an employer fails to provide the promised incentives, a lawyer may need assistance to recover what they are owed.

Severance Pay & Separation Agreements

Sometimes, a lawyer and their employer find it in their best interests to part ways. Negotiating a separation agreement can provide closure and stability for both parties.

Separation agreements typically address several topics, including:

• Severance pay.
• Accrued benefits, wages, or vacation time.
• Accrued employee incentives, like bonuses.
• Entitlement to unemployment compensation.
• Release of claims and liability.
• Restrictive covenants, including non-compete, non-solicitation, non-disclosure, and confidentiality provisions.

Any of these topics may become grounds for a dispute when a lawyer’s employment ends.

Wrongful Termination

Separation agreements are often negotiated when a lawyer and employer part on good terms. Unfortunately, not all partings are amicable.

Wrongful termination occurs when an employer fires an employee for reasons prohibited by law or reasons that violate the terms of an employment agreement. Wrongful termination can have a profoundly negative effect on your career and reputation.

You may have a case for wrongful termination if you can demonstrate your employer fired you due to:

• Your membership in a protected class, including race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, marital status, pregnancy, or disability.
• Your use of (or request to use) family and medical leave rights protected under FMLA.
• Your status as a whistleblower, including participating in an investigation of wrongdoing or reporting harassment, discrimination, or other prohibited conduct at work.
• Your failure or refusal to violate the law during your employment.
• Your reasonable belief that you face an immediate risk of death or serious physical injury due to unsafe working conditions.
• Your participation in jury duty.
• Any reason that violates the terms of your employment agreement.

How to best pursue a wrongful termination claim depends on the facts surrounding your termination. An experienced lawyer can provide the professional perspective to help you evaluate the strength of your case and your chances of success.

Other Employment Law Concerns

Lawyers work in many areas of law and business. Many are in-house counsel in large multinational corporations, government agencies, or business ventures. Others are involved in politics, finance, and industrial work. Lawyers can experience the same inappropriate, illegal behavior in these diverse workplaces as other employees.

While lawyers train as generalists, not all lawyers practice employment law. If you’re facing a situation involving illegal conduct in your workplace, consult an attorney with employment law experience. These may include:

• Discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment.
• Safety violations.
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and other protected leave violations.
• Whistleblower situations.
• Wage and hour disputes.

Like any other employee, a lawyer who experiences a potential employment law violation doesn’t have to fight alone.

Contact Sommers Schwartz, P.C. Today To Discuss Your Detroit Employment Law Violations

The attorneys at Sommers Schwartz know all too well what a fellow attorney stands to lose in an employment dispute. We’ll dig into the details of your case and help you pursue the best possible outcome. We will use our experienced perspective to help you resolve your issue and recover the compensation you deserve.