Best Discrimination lawyers in Saugus, MA

1 Discrimination Lawyers in Saugus, MA

experienced lawyers

Helen G. Litsas

38 Main Street, Saugus, MA

Business Civil Rights Discrimination +1 +4

1.0/5

1.0

2 Reviews

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.

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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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.

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.