Employment Lawyer Career Guide and Counseling

Question: How to find out whether an employment lawyer is really a good one or not? I am thinking to have consultation(s) with some employment lawyer(s). I deeply wonder how to find out how capable a lawyer is. I assume everyone would say himself or herself is of great ability, especially when they want to take the case. So I would want some different sources to see a lawyer's capability, preferably even before I have the consultation for which most if not all charge fees. The consultation fee is not the problem, but finding out he or she is much incapable after spending the money is not that good of an option. If any person who is either experienced or of legal training background, please provide your expertise suggestion. Thank you very much for the advices.

Answer: Sorry a good lawyer may not have many wins, he or she may have many successful negotiated settlements which provide the client with the money they wanted without the expense of going into a trial. Not every attorney is listed on Lexis/Nexis only those who purchase books/software from that company. I am an employment lawyer, successful, multiple wins, with a history of fair negotiations. I do not accept clients who are arrogant, who think they are Perry Mason, or who do not have a legitimate case. I speak to many potential clients but only accept about 20% as clients. The way I find out about the client is to speak with them, that is probably the way you need to find out about the attorney. Explain your case to the attorney and ask them how they would handle it.

Question: Does anyone know of a very good employment lawyer in Toronto? My dad lost his job, he was in a very high executive position. He wants to get a better settlement than what he was offered, so he wants to get the best lawyer possible. Does anyone know of a really good employment lawyer in Toronto, Ontario? Thanks!

Answer: Call your local (usually county) bar association. Ask them for names of attorneys that handle employment law for employEEs. Good luck.

Question: How Much would a Employment Lawyer make that resides in Metro Atlanta? I want to be a lawyer. And I live in Atlanta. I was trying to figure out how much they (Employment Lawyers) Make?

Answer: Employment Law Attorney II 25th%ile - $82,492 Median - $95,924 75th%ile - $108,784 Job Description Employment Law Attorney II Responsible for analyzing proposed and established legislation, preparing legal documents, and reviewing company policies. Advises management on legal matters and ensures compliancy to protect company against legal liability. Requires a JD with 2-5 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on limited experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. Works under general supervision. A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Source: http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layoutscripts/swzl_compresult.asp?jobcode=LE11000021&jobtitle=Employment+Law+Attorney+II&jobtitlecomp=&narrowcode=LE01&narrowcodecomp=&narrowdesc=%2C+Legal+Services&zipcode=&metrocode=8&statecode=GA&geo=Atlanta%2C+GA&geocomp=&pagenumber=2&iscompare=&comparetype=&openlink=&state=Georgia&metro=Atlanta&city=&searchpage=&isgeometro=1&isforcompanalyst=1&r=salswz_swzttsint_psr&p=050205_psr_495&paycheckcalc=0&fterangecode=

Question: Can you recommend an employment lawyer in Northern California? I'm looking for an employment lawyer in Northern California for some consultation as an employee.

Answer: I can't make any specific recommendations -- however I will encourage you to go to www.findlaw.com and submit your issue and location. You should be able to find an attorney that way. Then ask them for references to contact about their services.

Question: How does one find an employment lawyer in Connecticut? I don't know of anyone to recommend one. I looked in the local Yellow Pages but which one? Supposedly, I was displaced due to restructuring which is questionable. I was given a suspicious Separation Agreement and General Release of All Claims to sign. In this Agreement it states "do not sign without the advice of a lawyer". I was given a terrible severance package and told not to discuss it with anyone. I was given a cheezy, generic reference letter and was told "no phone calls for references". This is hurting my job search along with the fact that I am 55 years old. I was told my co-worker would be terminated in another week and now found out that she is being given special privileges because she was formally employed with the parent company and will be getting a different severance package because of that. Additionally, I had filed a workplace harassment complaint against 8 employees of the parent company on 12/03/06 and 2 months later find myself terminated. Suspicious?

Answer: Call the county or state bar association, and ask for the names of lawyers in your area that specialize in labor relations or wrongful termination cases.

Question: What is a good percentage that a civil or employment lawyer will charge? I might need a lawyer, I was fired from my job.

Answer: Usually 33 percent if you have a contingency agreement, but in this economy, expect lawyers to ask for a retainer for 1-5k.

Question: How would one go about finding a good employment lawyer who represents employees? This is in California. Based on what I have heard in the past, there are plenty of good lawyers who represent corporations but not employees.

Answer: You should look for what is called Wrongful Termination, if that is the case with you. In general, low firms who advertise Employment Law typically sell their services to Corporate HR departments. Also, keep in mind that the so called referral firms are advertising shops. Lawyers pay to get on those lists and the referral firms do not know so much about the lawyers. So, where should one go? Look for Wrongful Termination as well as for firms that engage in Class Action suits. You may even couple that up with the name of your firm and see if there are any law firms out there that have filed and won class action suits against your employer. Good luck to you.

Question: How do I find a Kentucky employment lawyer willing to take my case on contingency? I was offered a promotion to move from Indiana to Texas (by my corporate office, located in Louisville, Kentucky). Once there, the promotion turned into a demotion, and the $10k bonus plan I was promised never materialized. I no longer work for this company, and I want to pursue them legally.

Answer: TX is a right to work state so you are NEVER guaranteed a job/benefits unless you have a written contract. Since your job was in TX, TX law governs the labor law. Since TX is right to work it will be hard to prove that anything done was illegal unless it was done in retailiation for illegal reasons. (ie retailiated against because of using FMLA leave, etc) Also the 10k bonus plan is just that a bonus plan, unless you meet all the qualifactions for getting the 10k then they of course don't need to pay you, and again unless there was a contract they can cancel any plan they choose.

Question: Any recommendation how to find a COMPETENT employment lawyer to sue an employer? I need to sue an employer who wrongfully fired me after parental leave. Location: Toronto, Canada. THANKS!

Answer: Here are some questions that you should ask when trying to find a good lawyer that is beneficial to your case. What is your experience in this field? Have you handled matters like mine? What are the possible outcomes of my case? What are my alternatives in resolving the matter? Approximately how long will it take to resolve? Do you recommend mediation or arbitration? What are your rates and how often will you bill me? What is a ballpark figure for the total bill, including fees and expenses? How will you keep me informed of progress? What kind of approach will you take to resolve the matter - aggressive and unyielding, or will you be more inclined to reach a reasonable settlement? Who else in the office will be working on my case? Can junior attorneys or paralegals in the office handle some of the substantive legal work at a lower rate?

Question: How can I get an Employment lawyer S. FL without retainer $$? I have called numerous firms in my area. I have a definate good case as found by EEOC and Florida Commission on Human Rights. I have filed case Pro Se, and it was later closed. I really need an employment lawyer for discrimination case, and can't get help thru Florida Bar or Legal Aid- they don't do this type. All other require minimum $5k retainer for case. I just don't have it and really don't want employer to get away with this on my behalf or those other employee they will do it to. I'm not looking for any attorneys to call me and go over case details, but some concrete direction on how to access justice. Thank you.

Answer: Neither the EEOC or the Florida Commission on Human Rights have determined that you have a "good" case. They do not render opinions on the viability of discrimination cases. If either entity thought you had a "good" case they would have conducted an investigation and, if necessary, filed suit against your employer themselves. If they have granted a Right to Sue letter.to you all that means is they are not interested in pursuing the case and are granting you a cause of action to file a civil suit as the plaintiff. It is now up to you to find an attorney to represent you. If you cannot find one that is willing to take your case that means you have no case. In other words, they are not willing to spend their time without being compensated. If you had a viable cause of action you would be able to find an attorney willing to risk his/her time. The discrimination statutes provide for attorney's fees to be paid by the prevailing party. Obviously none of the attorneys that have reviewed your case believe you will prevail.