Making the Right Choice: Choosing an Employee Discrimination Lawyer

choosing an employee discrimination lawyer

Getting the best legal representation while facing job discrimination is crucial when pursuing justice and defending your rights at work. In addition to serving as a strong advocate, a knowledgeable employment lawyer will guide you through the complicated world of employment law and ensure that your employer is held legally responsible for any illegal activity.

It might seem like a daunting task if this is your first time seeking legal help. However, by focusing on critical aspects like experience, expertise in employment law, and a proven track record of handling discrimination cases, you can confidently find the representation that best fits you to reach a positive outcome.

6 Qualities to Look for in a Discrimination Attorney

When faced with employment discrimination, having an experienced attorney on your side can significantly influence the outcome of your case. Not all attorneys are qualified to manage these complex and sensitive problems, so finding someone with the right skills and attributes is essential. 

The following are some essential qualities to look for when choosing a discrimination attorney to guarantee they can properly advocate for you and help you through the legal process.

1. Expertise in Employment Law

When hiring a lawyer, look for someone well-versed in employment law. Employment law is complex and continuously changing, with some differences between federal and state laws.

In Minnesota, a lawyer should be familiar with federal and state protections, such as those provided by Title VII and the Minnesota Human Rights Act. Their experience should include litigating discrimination cases (ranging from those based on gender, race, sexual orientation, age, and disability), ensuring that they can successfully advocate for you.

2. Strong and Successful Track Record

It is crucial to pick a discrimination lawyer with a strong track record of accomplishments. 

Some lawyers just dabble in employment discrimination.  Look for a lawyer with an extensive history of litigating employment discrimination cases successfully.

Examine their case history and ask for instances where they have effectively handled clients with comparable issues. Understanding their strategy and techniques can give you confidence that they will successfully advocate for your rights.

3. Strategic Representation

Strategy is critical when dealing with employment discrimination to get the best possible outcome. You need a lawyer with broad legal knowledge and an innovative approach catering to your specific circumstances.

A successful discrimination lawyer should think strategically, be capable of assessing the strengths and weaknesses of your case, anticipate the other side’s actions, and create a plan that increases your chances of winning.  A lawyer who strategizes beyond one step at a time will be able to achieve better results than those who don’t take the time to carefully consider how the other side might respond to each additional “move.”  Your lawsuit can be more effectively litigated if your lawyer treats it like 3D chess: not simply looking for the next “move,” but considering all angles and anticipating counter-moves depending on each response from the defense.

4. Empathy and Understanding

Discrimination in the workplace is a very personal and stressful experience and can leave victims feeling ashamed and anxious. An attorney who focuses on this area of law is more likely to understand how this situation impacts those harmed by it.  An attorney who is an active listener, asks for all facts underlying your claim, seeks information about how the situation has impacted you (ranging from emotionally to financially) and who continues to follow up for further detail, shows that s/he is committed to getting the case “right” and representing you effectively.  Although your lawyer is not a mental health professional, having a lawyer who is committed to representing people impacted by discrimination likely means the lawyer has empathy and understanding for the specific impacts those types of wrongs have on victims.

5. Professionalism and honesty 

Commitment to effectively and honestly represent clients is crucial in discrimination lawsuits. 

Professionalism requires that lawyers be honest with clients.  This means having the integrity to inform clients of the positive and negative aspects of their cases.  Clients are entitled to “tough love”: an honest assessment of their situations, not just a lawyer who blindly cheers them forward, without ensuring they know the possible downsides of any given action.

Preparation is another important aspect of professionalism.  Preparation includes obtaining detailed facts from each client and applying those facts to the legal claims.  The lawyer needs to fully understand the case details and relevant laws in order to most effectively represent the client.  That takes a lot of preparation, as well as a partnership of effort with the client.

Communication between lawyer and client is another important aspect of professionalism.  Receiving detailed information from clients, and responding to client questions help attorneys improve their effectiveness and offer a more positive experience for their clients.

6. Good Resource Network

Cases involving employment discrimination are complicated legal matters that sometimes need to be evaluated and explained by experts. A skilled attorney can support your case with a strong network of professionals, including detectives, economists, and psychologists. These experts can acquire proof, offer insightful analysis, and lend credibility to claims, which all can contribute to a successful conclusion. Experts are costly so the lawyer should evaluate whether the cost of each expert will significantly improve your case.  If your lawyer is experienced in this area of law, s/he will know which situations would benefit from expert assistance.

Experienced Employee Discrimination Lawyer in Minneapolis

Choosing the right lawyer is crucial when navigating the intricacies of discrimination claims because the outcome can significantly impact your life. Lori Peterson stands out as an exceptional advocate for victims who have experienced sexual harassment, discrimination, or retaliation.

 Lori has an impressive track record of successfully representing clients who have faced sexual harassment, racism, homophobia, and other types of discrimination.

Lori’s proactive representation guarantees that your specific circumstance is handled with the care and attention it deserves. Lori is committed to creating strategic solutions suited to your needs, partnering with you to pursue justice successfully. When you hire Lori Peterson as your attorney, you can be confident that you will have a dedicated partner who will fight tirelessly on your behalf, guiding you through the legal process with knowledge, experience and honesty.

Contact Lori today to get the justice you deserve.