Washington DC Private Sector Employment Attorney

Solomon Law Firm, PLLC is a boutique firm that represents private sector employees in Washington D.C., New York, and internationally in employment-related disputes. Well-versed in the applicable federal and state laws, we work strategically to protect workers from unlawful employment practices. We have an impressive track record of success in handling matters such as:

• Contract disputes – We work to resolve disagreements over the terms, performance, or interpretation of employment contracts
• Congressional advocacy – Our firm champions the rights of private employees at the legislative level, advocating to strengthen labor laws, worker protections, and industry regulations.
• Discrimination and harassment – Our legal team is dedicating to help employees fight back against discrimination and harassment
• Equal Pay Act violations – We leverage our knowledge of federal and state equal pay laws to protect private employees against wage discrimination 
• Internal investigations – Whether you are facing discrimination, harassment or other unfair treatment on the job or you have been accused of misconduct, trust us to guide you through the internal investigation
• Non-compete agreements – Employers have a legitimate interest in protecting their confidential business information and trade secrets; however, non-compete agreements may unfairly restrict free trade
• Severance agreements – Employees being let go are often required to sign severance agreements and may waive their legal rights without having an employment attorney review the agreement
• Whistleblower retaliation – We represent employees who have face retaliation for blowing the whistle on illegal activities by their employers
• Qui Tam claims – Our firm helps employees bring qui tam claims to report employers for defrauding the federal government, a widespread problem in healthcare and federal contracting 
• Wage violations – We represent employees in wage and hour claims ranging from minimum wage and overtime violations to unpaid commissions and bonuses

If you believe your employer has violated your rights, Solomon Law stands ready to provide powerful representation. As a leading employment law practice, we are committed to protecting your rights. We understand your concerns about taking legal action against your employer and will guide you through the process and best practices. Contact our office today to get started with an experienced employment lawyer by scheduling a comprehensive consultation for a full legal analysis of your legal remedies. 

Solomon Law Firm Handles All Types of Employment Contract Disputes

Certain employees – executives, managers, and salespeople – often have employment contracts detailing the terms and conditions of employment. These contracts typically cover:

• Job duties
• Compensation
• Employee benefits
• Term of employment
• Grounds for termination
• Severance

The employment contract may specify details such as commission and bonus structures, as well as paid time off and health insurance benefits. If your employer has violated an employment contract by altering job responsibilities or withholding commissions, our attorneys can help to resolve the dispute through negotiation or litigation. 

At Solomon Law, we also regularly handle disputes involving:

• Non-Compete agreements  – Many businesses require employees to sign non-compete agreements as a condition of employment. These agreements prevent employees from working for a competitor or client or starting a competing business after employment ends. However, if a non-compete agreement is excessively restrictive regarding duration or geographical coverage, our experienced employment lawyer can challenge the non-compete. 
• Severance agreements – Employers may ask employees to sign a severance agreement after terminating their employment. This agreement usually includes a general release, which bars the fired employee from initiating legal action against the employer in exchange for receiving severance pay. Our firm represents employees who have been terminated and are involved in disputes concerning severance agreements.

We have an impressive track record of success in mediation, arbitration, and litigation, having achieved substantial settlements and awards.

Representing Private-Sector Employees in Discrimination Claims

Several federal laws protect workers from employment discrimination, including:

• The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) prohibits discrimination against employees and job applicants based on age (40 and older).
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects disabled individuals from discrimination and requires employees to make reasonable accommodations to enable a disabled worker to perform their essential duties.
• The Equal Pay Act (EPA) prohibits wage discrimination on the basis of sex and requires employers to provide equal pay for employees who perform equal work in terms of skill, effort, and responsibility, regardless of gender.
• The False Claims Act allows employees to file qui tam claims against their employer for defrauding the federal government.
• The Genetic Information Nondisclosure Act (GINA) prohibits employers from discriminating against job applicants and employees because of their genetic information.
• The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act strengthens protections against wage discrimination under the Equal Pay Act.
• The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) prohibits employers from discrimination against employees or job applicants due to pregnancy or a pregnancy-related medical condition.
• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) prohibits discrimination in the workplace based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. 
• The Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) protects military service members from employment discrimination. 

These laws prohibit employers from making employment decisions (e.g., hiring, compensating, promoting, terminating) based on legally protected characteristics such as race, color, national origin, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Moreover, most states have anti-discrimination laws with more robust legal protections for employees.

Despite these legal protections, discrimination is a persistent problem in workplaces around the country. If you have been denied employment, passed over for a promotion, or terminated because of a protected characteristic, Solomon Law can help you file an employment discrimination lawsuit to recover lost wages and other damages. 

Protecting Workers From Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is considered an unlawful form of gender-based discrimination under federal and state laws – all workers have the right to a work environment free from harassment. There are two types of sexual harassment – quid pro quo and hostile work environment:

• Quid pro quo or “this for that” occurs when an employer demands sexual favors for any benefit of employment, such as a job, promotion, or raise. This type of harassment may also arise when an employer takes an adverse employment action against an employee who refuses a sexual advance. Adverse employment actions include termination, demotion, reassignment, pay cut, or any other form of retaliation.
• Hostile work environment arises when an employee is subjected to a pattern of unwanted sexual behavior, such as lewd comments or visual displays, that is severe or pervasive enough to change the conditions of employment. 

Additionally, applicable laws prohibit nonsexual harassment. This involves offensive comments, jokes, and conduct intended to intimidate an employee based on a legally protected characteristic (e.g. race, color, disability) and create a hostile work environment. 

To have a valid claim for sexual or nonsexual harassment, you must demonstrate that you complained about the illegal behavior and your employer failed to take corrective action. Let our experienced Washington D.C. and New York employment lawyers handle all the details of your claim and help you fight back. 

Wage Violations Attorneys

Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and applicable state laws, most employees must receive the federal or state minimum wage, whichever is higher. Also, eligible employees are entitled to overtime pay at a rate of time-and-a-half for all hours over 40 hours per week. 

At Solomon Law, we represent employees in individual and class-action lawsuits arising from all types of wage violations, including:

• Minimum wage violations
• Overtime pay violations
• Employee misclassification
• Unpaid commissions

What Is Wrongful Termination?

Most employees in the U.S. work “at will,” meaning they can be fired with or without cause. However, employers cannot fire workers for discriminatory or unlawful reasons such as:

• Breach of Contract – An employment contract typically outlines the duration of employment or grounds for termination. Employers cannot dismiss employees working under such an agreement for reasons not explicitly mentioned in the contract
• Public Policy – Employers cannot fire employees for exercising their legal rights, declining to participate in illegal activity by their employers, reporting unlawful activities (whistleblowing), or fulfilling a mandatory public service, such as jury duty or military reserve duties.
• Retaliation – It is unlawful to dismiss employees for participating in legally protected activities, such as raising concerns about discrimination, harassment, or wage discrepancies, reporting safety violations, taking part in a related legal proceeding or complaint, or submitting a workers’ compensation claim for an on-the-job injury.

Talk To An Experienced Washington D.C. Employment Law Attorney Today

Solomon Law works to hold employers accountable for violating equal employment opportunity laws.  We are a boutique law firm that advocates to protect the rights of employees. Regardless of the employment dispute, we will work strategically to protect your rights. Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation and obtain a detailed legal analysis.