What Can an Employment Lawyer Do for You?
Whether you are an employer or an employee, there are many different things that an employment lawyer can do for you. One of the biggest ways in which an employment lawyer can help you is through ensuring compliance with both federal and state labor laws.
If you are an employer, they can help you understand which laws you must adhere to, and which laws you may be violating. If you are an employee, an employment lawyer can determine whether your employer is violating any such laws, and ensure that your rights as an employee are protected.
Another example of what an employment lawyer can do for you is helping draft an employee handbook. This document will be crucial in protecting the rights of both employer and employee. An employment lawyer can help you create a legally sound and enforceable employee handbook by advising you regarding best practices. Employment lawyers are most frequently retained to handle cases involving workplace discrimination, workplace safety issues and wage and hour disputes.
How Much Does an Employment Lawyer Cost?
How much an employment lawyer may cost will largely depend on three factors:
- The attorney’s experience and reputation;
- Location, as attorneys practicing in larger cities may charge higher rates; and
- How complicated a particular case is, as more complicated cases will require more time and more work.
Another factor that may affect how much an employment lawyer will cost is whether they charge for an initial consultation. Many attorneys provide an initial consultation, generally lasting half an hour, as a free service to potential clients. However, those who do charge usually charge around $75.
If an employment lawyer works on an hourly basis, you should expect to pay around $200 per hour. Some recent estimates for the New York area reach up to $600 per hour. If the attorney works on a contingency basis, the percentage average is 30%. These estimations do not include other associated fees, such as those imposed by the court itself.