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17 Nov, 2024 by M m
29 Oct, 2024 by Marnie botelho
I 100% agree with Mel. I gave my banking account number and was told they'd be a deduction on the 1st and the 15th of each month. (which I agreed) The problem is I was never told how much those withdrawals would be. My husband is a disabled veteran and only gets a check once a month. We never even appeared in court. The opposing attorney was not contacting my attorney for 4+ months, yet my balance was never known by me and was growing somehow. It wasn't until I requested a statement that I received a few through email. I have never once spoken to Peter on the phone. Although the attorney who was working with me was very nice, he told me he had no part in the billing. He told me it was Peter. Basically, I gave a $4500 retainer in case we needed to go to court, which we never did, and I never received regular monthly statements from Mr. Calabrese. Due to my experience with the billing of this attorney, I would NEVER recommend them. This morning I see an email saying he will not represent me any longer because of my large outstanding balance (which I knew nothing about). As soon as I emailed him, all of a sudden I receive all these statements. Lol! And a balance that was insane.
I agree with Mel. Do not sign any contract that involves giving your banking info out.
This is not ethical and I intend on reporting to the Bar. These are examples of bad practices. People are already hurting in bad land situations, and the last thing anyone needs is to be taken advantage of. Beware people! Read Mel's review, and others on several sites before you use this firm. If you don't believe me, read others.
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17 Oct, 2024 by Meredith chambers
I've had a positive experience dealing with Peter and associates. All have been very responsive, honest and timely with findings. I highly recommend and am pleased with their service.
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17 Nov, 2024 by M m
29 Oct, 2024 by Marnie botelho
I 100% agree with Mel. I gave my banking account number and was told they'd be a deduction on the 1st and the 15th of each month. (which I agreed) The problem is I was never told how much those withdrawals would be. My husband is a disabled veteran and only gets a check once a month. We never even appeared in court. The opposing attorney was not contacting my attorney for 4+ months, yet my balance was never known by me and was growing somehow. It wasn't until I requested a statement that I received a few through email. I have never once spoken to Peter on the phone. Although the attorney who was working with me was very nice, he told me he had no part in the billing. He told me it was Peter. Basically, I gave a $4500 retainer in case we needed to go to court, which we never did, and I never received regular monthly statements from Mr. Calabrese. Due to my experience with the billing of this attorney, I would NEVER recommend them. This morning I see an email saying he will not represent me any longer because of my large outstanding balance (which I knew nothing about). As soon as I emailed him, all of a sudden I receive all these statements. Lol! And a balance that was insane.
I agree with Mel. Do not sign any contract that involves giving your banking info out.
This is not ethical and I intend on reporting to the Bar. These are examples of bad practices. People are already hurting in bad land situations, and the last thing anyone needs is to be taken advantage of. Beware people! Read Mel's review, and others on several sites before you use this firm. If you don't believe me, read others.
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17 Oct, 2024 by Meredith chambers
I've had a positive experience dealing with Peter and associates. All have been very responsive, honest and timely with findings. I highly recommend and am pleased with their service.
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17 Nov, 2024 by M m
29 Oct, 2024 by Marnie botelho
I 100% agree with Mel. I gave my banking account number and was told they'd be a deduction on the 1st and the 15th of each month. (which I agreed) The problem is I was never told how much those withdrawals would be. My husband is a disabled veteran and only gets a check once a month. We never even appeared in court. The opposing attorney was not contacting my attorney for 4+ months, yet my balance was never known by me and was growing somehow. It wasn't until I requested a statement that I received a few through email. I have never once spoken to Peter on the phone. Although the attorney who was working with me was very nice, he told me he had no part in the billing. He told me it was Peter. Basically, I gave a $4500 retainer in case we needed to go to court, which we never did, and I never received regular monthly statements from Mr. Calabrese. Due to my experience with the billing of this attorney, I would NEVER recommend them. This morning I see an email saying he will not represent me any longer because of my large outstanding balance (which I knew nothing about). As soon as I emailed him, all of a sudden I receive all these statements. Lol! And a balance that was insane.
I agree with Mel. Do not sign any contract that involves giving your banking info out.
This is not ethical and I intend on reporting to the Bar. These are examples of bad practices. People are already hurting in bad land situations, and the last thing anyone needs is to be taken advantage of. Beware people! Read Mel's review, and others on several sites before you use this firm. If you don't believe me, read others.
Read more
17 Oct, 2024 by Meredith chambers
I've had a positive experience dealing with Peter and associates. All have been very responsive, honest and timely with findings. I highly recommend and am pleased with their service.
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17 Nov, 2024 by M m
29 Oct, 2024 by Marnie botelho
I 100% agree with Mel. I gave my banking account number and was told they'd be a deduction on the 1st and the 15th of each month. (which I agreed) The problem is I was never told how much those withdrawals would be. My husband is a disabled veteran and only gets a check once a month. We never even appeared in court. The opposing attorney was not contacting my attorney for 4+ months, yet my balance was never known by me and was growing somehow. It wasn't until I requested a statement that I received a few through email. I have never once spoken to Peter on the phone. Although the attorney who was working with me was very nice, he told me he had no part in the billing. He told me it was Peter. Basically, I gave a $4500 retainer in case we needed to go to court, which we never did, and I never received regular monthly statements from Mr. Calabrese. Due to my experience with the billing of this attorney, I would NEVER recommend them. This morning I see an email saying he will not represent me any longer because of my large outstanding balance (which I knew nothing about). As soon as I emailed him, all of a sudden I receive all these statements. Lol! And a balance that was insane.
I agree with Mel. Do not sign any contract that involves giving your banking info out.
This is not ethical and I intend on reporting to the Bar. These are examples of bad practices. People are already hurting in bad land situations, and the last thing anyone needs is to be taken advantage of. Beware people! Read Mel's review, and others on several sites before you use this firm. If you don't believe me, read others.
Read more
17 Oct, 2024 by Meredith chambers
I've had a positive experience dealing with Peter and associates. All have been very responsive, honest and timely with findings. I highly recommend and am pleased with their service.
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22 Jan, 2025 by Jose g
I am still receiving medical bill calls despite prior assurances that this matter was resolved. Furthermore, I experienced unsatisfactory communication and significant difficulty in filing an appeal. I cannot recommend this group.
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14 Jan, 2025 by Matt ferlo
Elizabeth was great to work with. Informative, on top of their game and there with you every step of the way. Tara was also great in assisting me with some questions and matters that came up too. I would not hesitate to hire Elizabeth and her team in the future. Thank you so much!
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04 Oct, 2024 by May coven
I has been worked for many years with Elizabeth and her team they are very professional they always responded my question I highly recommend her is the best real estate law office around worcester county.
Thank you very much 😊!
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18 Feb, 2021 by K. johnson
There were so many issues and stressful moments having Simon as a lawyer and with the staff lawyer Christine who was assigned to my case. Christine was very rude and unprofessional; her communication skills were awful.
Simon missed a due date that I wasn't aware of and called me 3 days AFTER the due date looking for the information. I sent the document within 2 days of notification from Simon, which now made the document 5 days late, by the time the document was sent to opposing counsel, it was 10 days past the original due date. Another similar situation occurred within 2 months of this missed due date.
Simon sent a portion of an email from the opposing counsel to me regarding a request to send documents as required by an Order. I didn't have any knowledge of the Order at the time of the email sent by Simon. Simon sent the email request to me 1 week after the Order date. Some of the requested documents were previously sent to Simon. I worked on assembling the documents later that night into the early hours of the next morning just to get the documents to him ASAP. This created another stressful situation for me.
Simon sent an email to me with regards to the deposition containing only the deposition notice; the email from Simon didn't contain any verbiage or any strategy on how he would handle the deposition just the deposition notification attachment. The email didn't contain any information as to whether or not Simon would be present at the deposition. I had to ask Simon what was the plan for handling the deposition. I responded to the email that I wasn't happy about the deposition and told him why I wasn't happy, which we discussed several times before.
When coronavirus became prevalent in March 2020, I sent an email to Simon asking him about the plan to continue with my case with coronavirus affecting business operations. I asked Simon to reach out to the group handling the case to determine the new timeline. Simon responded via email to my email and indicated he wanted to wait until the ban was lifted to contact the group handling my case find out the plan. All work on my case prior to coronavirus was being done completely through emails, so there wasn't any reason to stop continuing to work on my case as the group handling the case clearly posted on their website that cases would still proceed and be processed via email. I sent Simon an email showing him the information on the company website stating they were still operational and there was not reason for not continuing to work on my case during the coronavirus shutdown. With all the mishaps that happened with my case, I believed my case was on track to be a loss especially since due dates were being missed without my knowledge.
After using coronavirus as a reason not to continue work on my case, I couldn't continue with the stress and sought a new lawyer. The new lawyer fought hard for my case. He communicated with me on the progress of my case truly cared about my case. I had a successful outcome with my new lawyer and was thankful to have him as my lawyer. My experience was the opposite of my experience with Simon, it was stress free and pleasurable.
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14 Mar, 2020 by Anonymous
I hired Simon Mann. Simon was very responsive throughout, but as time went on, it was apparent that not much attention was being paid to details, which are important, in order to litigate successfully. It was becoming apparent, that Simon was just doing bare minimum so that it looks as if 'something' is being done.
After quite a few interactions, it was evident that the matter is complex and requires a high level of discernment, which I found amiss. Maybe, Simon is good for smaller litigation matters but not so much for complicated matters.
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02 Jan, 2017 by Julius
Very smart and humble. I will recommend him to anyone. Thank you for all you have done for me.
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11 Feb, 2022 by Stephanie russo
01 Jul, 2020 by Gerry lorusso
Andrew Lawlor and Christopher Gaffney are excellent attorneys and I would highly recommend this firm. They are experienced in various aspects of law. Andrew is and excellent estate and litigating attorney and Chris is an excellent real estate attorney. They are very friendly and professional and they respond quickly to my requests. They are easy to deal with and very informative, knowledgeable and efficient. Susan and the others that have answered the phones and assisted, are also very friendly and helpful. Again, I would highly recommend this firm.
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17 Feb, 2020 by Debra lombard
My husband and I have had the need for legal advice and services on two separate occasions in the recent past. I cannot say enough good things about our experience working with Laura Fedele Riccio. She is the consummate professional; very knowledgable, efficient and thorough. It is so difficult to navigate one's way through estate planning issues etc. but Laura makes the experience painless. We feel secure knowing we were not only receiving timely, accurate information but explained in such a way we fully understood everything. Highly recommend Laura!
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12 Apr, 2016 by Anonymous
Katherine is a superb lawyer and tremendous advocate. I hired Katherine based on the strength of her reputation in Boston's employment law community and was not disappointed. I credit her with helping me find my path out of an extremely challenging employment situation on the best terms possible. She is an excellent negotiator and advocate. I never doubted for a moment that she was firmly and completely on my side. I highly recommend her.
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11 Apr, 2016 by Anonymous
Katherine has provided exceptional legal counsel and was instrumental in representing me through a difficult employment issue. I had interviewed several top employment attorneys in Boston and I chose Katherine. She is always extremely professional, sincere, succinct and has a great command of employment law. When working with her, you know that she listens and gets it. She is very thorough, responsive and has quick turnaround. Katherine also presents options and explains ramifications to facilitate making intelligent decisions.
Since, I have continued to seek counsel when needed on employment agreements and have had the same great experience. I definitely recommend Katherine.
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28 Feb, 2016 by Anonymous
I was referred to someone else at her firm who pawned me off on Michon. She was clearly in over her head. She missed a deadline and misspelled my name on an important document. The hallmark of a good Atty is to be detail oriented. I fired her.
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07 May, 2015 by Joseph
Chris was very insightful in a discrimination case for me. We prevailed in getting a just settlement. He has also been available for discussions in other situations where his input was invaluable to me. Heartily suggest this Attorney for the type of cases he specializes in. He is dogged and persistent in his approach and will not drop the ball on you.
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13 Sep, 2024 by Alfredo ruiz
Very unprofessional when meeting with her. I caught and cover my mouth while in the meeting and tells me if you are sick you shouldn’t have come and we can arrange a soon meeting also our section only lasted 30 min and charge me 200 dollars. I will never recommend her or go to her for any legal advice save your money.
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08 Apr, 2021 by Les atwood
Attorney McKenna was very professional and down to earth. She took care of our needs in one session. I would highly recommend using her for your mediation needs.
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02 Mar, 2020 by Jarrett hebert
19 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
AMBULANCE CHASER/ EASILY CONFUSED AND, I.M.O. SHY DUE TO HIS BATTLE WITH GIGANTISM AND GYNECOMASTIA .
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28 May, 2024 by Portia lee
Attorney Cascarano is a model attorney. I’m grateful for his legal aide. He comes highly recommended. He is fair and always honest. He always fights for what is right. The best side of the law to be on.
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20 Dec, 2023 by Dante poles
12 Oct, 2024 by Dj avalone
25 Mar, 2024 by Dante pagan
The worst place to call them again it's Massachusetts!!! Can't even speak to somebody , they send you a form there email then you have to wait a week .. ridiculous
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19 Mar, 2024 by La wood
No consumer law attorneys. No Attorneys return calls and resent the referral. I spent an entire year calling for Consumer Law Attorneys. Absolutely no one would help, lucky if I got a call back. They were all rude and refused to take a case EVEN if I paid them $1500.00 so believe me, I am quite right and it has been an absolutely horrific experience. 100%. Honestly, don't you think I would much rather be doing something else than BEGGING for help?? Do you seriously think I enjoy writing these reviews? My experience with the entire Legal System in Massachusetts has been a total nightmare. Noone knows how to defend a consumer, and the used car warranties that Thrifty Car Sales of Westfield and Springfield are total fraud. They simply do not honor the warranties they give and force the owner into a buy back without showing the owner the terms so they can refuse putting money out for repairs. I was totally discriminated against. And you did not help AT ALL.
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20 Apr, 2024 by Emily aniceto
Claudette is hands down the best family lawyer around!! You won't be disappointed hiring her. She is empathetic yet successful, highly recommend
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19 Jan, 2024 by Antonia barnes
Attorney Girard is a very sweet gal! She is a bit pricey but works very diligently for you. Her staff is also super helpful even though it's quite a revolving office and somethings are miscommunicated.
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15 Jan, 2024 by David w coon
Not helpful, super expensive
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05 Nov, 2022 by Isandra cuba
Great lawyer
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09 Jan, 2019 by William sicard
18 Jul, 2022 by Bilal
17 Jul, 2022 by Roy jones
11 Aug, 2010 by Natasha tx
Seyfarth Shaw, the Attorney for the Marriott, is the worst Attorney that I have seen on record. Overbilling, lying to their client, costing their client $$$$, while they misrepresent, just attrocious behavior and an incompetant law firm. Trying to influence a Federal Judge after they have misfiled pleadings.
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18 Jul, 2022 by Bilal
17 Jul, 2022 by Roy jones
11 Aug, 2010 by Natasha tx
Seyfarth Shaw, the Attorney for the Marriott, is the worst Attorney that I have seen on record. Overbilling, lying to their client, costing their client $$$$, while they misrepresent, just attrocious behavior and an incompetant law firm. Trying to influence a Federal Judge after they have misfiled pleadings.
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23 Feb, 2023 by Anonymous
I should have listened to other reviewers before retaining Attorney Helen Litsas of Arlington, MA, but I fell for the ol' 'this case is a such slam-dunk so I will take it on contingency' - and 'I am confident I will get you what you deserve,' speech. Fast-forward to today which is nearly THREE YEARS LATER, and what I ultimately reaped was a fraction of what she estimated and definitely not worth the frustration and aggravation I suffered working with her.
In my personal case, she lacked consistent follow-through which forced me to regularly chase after her for a response to my inquires or to receive any update - and then she would mostly tell me what I wanted to hear. At one point, an entire month had passed without any update from her and no response to my emails, and that became the normal unless I hounded her with communications. I expressed to her several times I was considering dropping my claim or her representation, because I lost confidence in her - but she was always promising to do better. I actually felt bad for her as she is a one-attorney practice and figured she needed the business, but it was a mistake staying. Working with her was literally making me ill from the stress - and I put that in writing to her only to have her respond by promising she'd do better communicating and coaxing me into seeing it through. Ultimately, nothing she initially told me I was entitled to materialized.
She made zero progress the first year because she played softball with opposing council by granting them unfettered continuances, even for the purpose of the defendant and their attorney taking family vacations. I finally put my foot down and have more than one email where she promised to not allow them to delay the case any longer and would get tough with opposing council - but it didn't happened. I have worked with other attorneys and have never had the negative experience I had with Ms. Litsas representation. Being forced to constantly battle with my own attorney to protect my interests and communicate with me, became exhausting. I finally agreed to settle for a fraction of what she assured me she could get for me, and only did that because the stress of working with her was too much.
To add insult to injury, as the case was concluding and all I was waiting for were documents she was tasked with obtaining from the defendant's council - she bailed on me and this was AFTER she was paid. All of a sudden she claimed I was no longer her client even though she did not obtain the documents from opposing council, which she had agreed was part of her services to me. This has caused me to file a grievance with the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers. At this point, I STILL have NOT received the documents and all I am left with is stress, aggravation, and higher blood pressure than I had prior to Ms. Litsas' representation. I should have listened to my gut and regret I didn't find alternate representation. Nothing about her representation was worth the stress she caused, and is continuing to cause. Shop around and take negative reviews seriously before you retain an attorney. I wish I did.
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10 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
Attorneys Litsas filed a complaint at the MCAD after I had terminated the firms services on 5/25/18 I was recuperating after a serious surgery Oversears. Attorneys Litsas filed the complaint after her services were terminated
which is attorney malpractice this filed on 6/6/18. The attorney clearly violated a law. I filed my own rebuttal and hired James Neyman to get a date as it was accepted. I mentioned I am able to negotiate on my behalf as I was seeking reinstatement of employment. Attorney Neyman refused to let the case go. He yells out very loud. James Neyman accepted an offer which I declined and I was placed in a hotel with no food to accept the offer. I was prevented from employment and subsequently placed in a car and assaulted, later strangled, drugs were forced on me and raped. I never take a drug. I have all visuals posted on Yelp on the attorneys involved profile .the attorneys are preventing my employment and damaging my character and not enabling me to be employed. This is unlawful. This not responsible behavior it is Attorney malpractice. We want peace not violence to resolve problems and we don’t want to be threatened threatened by attorneys. This must stop. Jail is their home for being catalyst to a crime. To a heinous crime. We want justice my life matters.
We need to stop divide and control and unify ourselves to the grater good of society as lawful citizens and human beings.
I look forward to a resolution and more over, to forge to secure aggressively for a bright future and career for myself. I don’t choose to loose out on valuable time. If you continue these actions, I will continue to further amplify the facts and there is no doubt justice will heavily weigh in.
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14 Oct, 2019 by Anonymous
I hired her for really easy case but she lost it. She stood in front of the judge with poor case study, poor negotiation skills, and no argument skills. The judge was surprised that she didn't make a look on my affidavit in advance. She wasn't prepared at all and cost me a lot.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Discrimination Lawyer Can Do for You
A discrimination lawyer specializes in handling cases where individuals or groups face unfair treatment based on protected characteristics, such as race, gender, age, religion, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation. These lawyers assist clients in filing discrimination claims, representing them in legal proceedings, and ensuring that their rights under federal, state, and local laws are upheld. Discrimination cases may arise in employment, housing, education, public accommodations, or other settings.
Whether you’ve been discriminated against at work, denied housing, or treated unfairly in other areas of life, a discrimination lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and seek compensation or corrective action.
When Should I Hire a Discrimination Lawyer?
You should consider hiring a discrimination lawyer in several situations where unfair treatment occurs based on protected characteristics. Common scenarios include:
-
Employment Discrimination:
- Workplace discrimination: If you’ve been treated unfairly at work because of your race, gender, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, or another protected status, a lawyer can help you file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or a similar state agency.
- Wrongful termination: If you were fired due to discrimination or retaliation for reporting discriminatory behavior, a lawyer can assist with filing a lawsuit and seeking compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, and other damages.
- Failure to promote: If you’ve been denied a promotion or opportunities due to discriminatory practices, a lawyer can investigate the claim and represent you in legal actions against your employer.
- Harassment: If you’ve experienced workplace harassment, such as sexual harassment or a hostile work environment based on your race, gender, or other characteristics, a lawyer can help you pursue legal remedies.
-
Housing Discrimination:
- Denial of housing: If you’ve been denied housing due to your race, disability, family status, or other protected factors, a lawyer can help you file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or sue the landlord or property manager for violating the Fair Housing Act.
- Unfair rental practices: If a landlord or property manager treats you unfairly based on discriminatory factors (e.g., refusing reasonable accommodations for a disability), a lawyer can help you enforce your rights.
-
Education Discrimination:
- Discrimination in schools: If you or your child has faced discrimination in an educational setting based on race, disability, gender, or religion, a lawyer can help you file complaints under laws like Title VI, Title IX, or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
-
Public Accommodations:
- Denial of services: If a business or public service has discriminated against you based on race, gender, disability, or other protected characteristics, a lawyer can assist you in filing a complaint or lawsuit under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other anti-discrimination laws.
Hiring a discrimination lawyer early can help protect your rights and ensure that your claim is filed within legal deadlines.
What Does a Discrimination Lawyer Do?
A discrimination lawyer provides a range of legal services to help individuals and groups fight against discriminatory practices. Their responsibilities often include:
- Filing discrimination claims: A lawyer can help you file a complaint with government agencies, such as the EEOC, HUD, or your state’s human rights commission. They ensure that your claim is properly documented and filed within required time limits.
- Investigating discrimination claims: Discrimination lawyers gather evidence, interview witnesses, and review documents to build a strong case for proving discriminatory practices.
- Negotiating settlements: In many cases, a lawyer can negotiate a settlement with the employer, landlord, or other party involved in the discrimination case, seeking compensation or corrective action without going to trial.
- Representing clients in court: If your case goes to court, a lawyer will represent you during hearings, present evidence, and argue your case before a judge or jury.
- Handling retaliation claims: If you face retaliation for filing a discrimination complaint or reporting discriminatory practices, a lawyer can help you pursue a retaliation claim.
- Advising on legal rights: A discrimination lawyer explains your legal rights under federal and state anti-discrimination laws, such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the ADA, the Fair Housing Act, and others.
How Are Discrimination Lawyers Paid?
Discrimination lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the case and the expected duration of the legal process. Common payment structures include:
- Contingency fee: Many discrimination lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they win or settle the case. Their fee is usually a percentage of the settlement or court award, typically ranging from 25% to 40%.
- Hourly rate: For cases that don’t involve a contingency fee arrangement, some lawyers charge by the hour. Hourly rates for discrimination lawyers generally range from $200 to $600 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and the case’s complexity.
- Flat fee: For simpler legal tasks, such as drafting a discrimination complaint or providing legal advice, some lawyers may charge a flat fee.
- Pro bono or reduced fees: Some discrimination lawyers offer pro bono (free) or reduced-fee services, especially in cases involving low-income clients or significant civil rights issues.
It’s important to discuss fee arrangements during your initial consultation to ensure that you understand the total cost of legal services and how payment will be handled.
How Much Does a Discrimination Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a discrimination lawyer depends on factors like the complexity of the case, the lawyer’s experience, and the potential for a settlement or trial. General cost estimates include:
- Contingency fees: If the lawyer works on a contingency basis, their fee will typically range from 25% to 40% of any settlement or court award. For example, if you win a settlement of $50,000 and the lawyer’s fee is 30%, they would receive $15,000, and you would keep the remaining $35,000.
- Hourly rates: Discrimination lawyers who charge by the hour typically bill between $200 and $600 per hour. For example, a case that takes 20 hours of legal work at $300 per hour would cost $6,000 in legal fees.
- Flat fees: Some legal services, such as filing a discrimination complaint or providing a legal consultation, may be available for a flat fee ranging from $500 to $2,500, depending on the complexity of the task.
- Pro bono or sliding scale fees: In some cases, particularly for low-income individuals, lawyers may offer reduced fees or work pro bono.
Always ask for a detailed estimate of costs during your consultation, and clarify whether the lawyer offers flexible payment options.
Top Questions to Ask a Discrimination Lawyer
Before hiring a discrimination lawyer, it’s important to ask key questions to ensure they have the experience and qualifications to handle your case. Key questions to ask include:
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What experience do you have with discrimination cases?
Ensure that the lawyer has handled discrimination cases similar to yours, whether it involves employment, housing, or public accommodation discrimination. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges a contingency fee, hourly rate, or flat fee, and ask for a detailed breakdown of costs. -
What are my chances of success?
Ask the lawyer for an honest assessment of your case, including potential challenges and the likelihood of success. -
How long will the process take?
Discrimination cases can take time to resolve, so ask the lawyer how long they expect the process to take, from filing a complaint to reaching a settlement or going to trial. -
Will I need to go to court?
Ask whether your case is likely to settle out of court or if a trial may be necessary. If a trial is possible, ask what steps the lawyer will take to prepare. -
What damages or remedies can I seek?
Ask about the types of compensation or corrective action you can pursue, such as back pay, emotional distress damages, job reinstatement, or policy changes. -
What steps should I take to protect my rights?
Ask for advice on how to document evidence, handle workplace or housing interactions, and avoid retaliation while your case is pending.
How to Check the Credibility of a Discrimination Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable discrimination lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and track record:
- Check their bar status: Verify that the lawyer is licensed to practice law and in good standing with the state bar association. You can check this on your state bar’s website.
- Look for discrimination case experience: Review the lawyer’s website or profile to ensure they specialize in employment law, civil rights, or discrimination cases and have successfully handled similar cases in the past.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for client reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients have said about their experience with the lawyer.
- Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on discrimination matters.
- Check for certifications or memberships: Look for certifications or memberships in civil rights organizations or employment law associations, such as the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA).
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first consultation with a discrimination lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:
- Detailed account of the discrimination: Provide a clear description of the discriminatory actions, including dates, locations, and individuals involved. Document specific incidents and any witnesses who can support your claim.
- Workplace or housing records: Bring copies of relevant employment or housing documents, such as job performance evaluations, rental agreements, emails, or written correspondence related to the discrimination.
- Company or organization policies: If the discrimination occurred in the workplace or housing, bring copies of company policies, employee handbooks, or housing agreements that outline anti-discrimination policies.
- Evidence of damages: Provide evidence of any financial losses, such as lost wages, job termination, or increased rent, as well as emotional or psychological distress caused by the discrimination.
- Previous complaints or actions: If you’ve filed previous complaints or taken any action related to the discrimination, such as reporting the issue to HR or filing a complaint with a government agency, bring copies of those documents.
- Questions about the process: Prepare a list of questions about your legal options, potential outcomes, and the lawyer’s approach to handling your case.
By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your situation more effectively and provide the best possible legal advice for pursuing your discrimination claim.
