Employment Lawyers Representing Employees In Wrongful Termination, Discrimination And Other Claims
Work is a significant part of life. If your employment rights have been violated or you’ve been wrongfully terminated, the impact extends beyond the financial fallout. Your family, lifestyle and livelihood are all affected.
At the Mesa law firm of Ernst, Brown & Draper, we’re committed to protecting your rights and your career. Our employment lawyers have 25+ years of collective experience and robust knowledge of Arizona employment law gained from big-firm backgrounds. As a boutique practice, we provide the advantages of accessibility and responsiveness. You will work directly with an employment lawyer and benefit from clear, consistent communication.
Have Your Rights And Career Been Upended?
We are committed to supporting employees who have been treated unfairly in the workplace. You can turn to us for help with:
- Discrimination: We handle discrimination cases involving the federal Civil Rights Act and the Arizona Civil Rights Act. These laws protect employees from discrimination based on race, gender, age, disability and other protected characteristics. When employers violate these laws, we help employees take legal action, including pursuing administrative claims and lawsuits in state and federal courts.
- Sexual harassment: Everyone deserves safety and respect in the workplace. Sexual harassment and other types of discriminatory harassment can create a hostile work environment. Our employment lawyers can help you enforce your rights and take a stand against harassing behavior by coworkers, managers or others.
- Wrongful termination: Losing your job is never easy, and it’s even more challenging if the termination violated your employment contract or was for discriminatory reasons. Turn to our wrongful termination attorneys for guidance.
- Breach of employment contracts: If your employer has violated your contract regarding compensation, job duties, severance pay or other terms, you can rely on our employment lawyers to help enforce your agreement.
- Defense against noncompete/nonsolicitation claims: If your employer or former employer is accusing you of violating a restrictive agreement, you need a robust defense. In Arizona, these agreements must be reasonable in terms of duration, geographic area and scope of restricted activities. We can find the strongest angles for challenging the claims against you.
- Wage and hour claims: We handle claims related to unpaid wages, including unpaid overtime, employee misclassification, minimum wage violations and issues with wages not paid upon termination. Our advocacy is grounded in a thorough understanding of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Arizona state wage laws.
- Retaliation: Employers can’t retaliate against you for exercising your employment rights, such as by filing a complaint, seeking to unionize or participating in an investigation regarding workplace safety or discrimination. Our firm stands ready to defend you if you face adverse actions from an employer for asserting your rights or engaging in protected activities.
- Whistleblower claims: We represent employees who courageously report illegal activities or violations of workplace safety within their companies. If you have disclosed or are considering reporting information about a legal or ethical violation, turn to us for robust legal support to protect you from retaliation and uphold your rights as a whistleblower.
Frequently Asked Questions About Employment Law
Below are some common questions that employees ask about their employment rights. The answers are not a substitute for individualized legal advice. Please talk to our employment lawyers about your specific circumstances to better understand your rights.
What qualifies as wrongful termination in Arizona?
In Arizona, employment is generally “at will,” which means either party can end the employment relationship at any time, for virtually any reason. However, wrongful termination can occur if you are fired in violation of your employment contract or for discriminatory reasons. Our employment lawyers can advise you on whether you have a case for wrongful termination.
Can I sue my employer for discrimination?
Maybe. To pursue an employment discrimination lawsuit, you must first file a complaint with the Civil Rights Division of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office or the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). These agencies will conduct an investigation and may then issue you a “right to sue” letter, which gives you the formal go-ahead to file your lawsuit in court.
What should I do if I’m facing discrimination or harassment at work?
Make sure you document everything. Report the behavior to your human resources department or supervisor according to your company’s policies. If the issue is not resolved internally or if you’re worried about facing retaliation for reporting the misconduct, talk to an employment lawyer about your options.
Let Our Employment Lawyers Be Your Advocates
If you have experienced wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, unpaid wages or other violations of your employment rights, please contact our team online or by phone at 602-858-5940. We are here to support you with skilled legal representation.