Employment Law
We advocate for employees who have been wronged, to combat discrimination, wage theft and other unlawful workplace practices.
$15B
American workers lose an estimated $15 billion annually due to wage theft by their employers.
1
David Cooper and Teresa Kroeger,
“Employers steal billions from workers’
paychecks each year,” Economic Policy
Institute (May 10, 2017).
“Employers steal billions from workers’
paychecks each year,” Economic Policy
Institute (May 10, 2017).
70,000
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received over 70,000 workplace discrimination complaints 2022.
2
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission, “EEOC Releases Annual
Performance Report for Fiscal Year 2022,“
(Mar. 13, 2023).
Commission, “EEOC Releases Annual
Performance Report for Fiscal Year 2022,“
(Mar. 13, 2023).
25%
Approximately 25% of women report experiencing workplace sexual harassment, yet many cases go unreported.
3
Chai R. Feldblum & Victoria A.
Lipnic, “Select Task Force on the
Study of Harassment in the Workplace,“
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (June 2016).
Lipnic, “Select Task Force on the
Study of Harassment in the Workplace,“
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (June 2016).
2M
Nearly 2 million American workers report being victims of workplace violence each year.
4
U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational
Safety and Health Administration, “What
is Workplace Violence?,” OSHA Fact
Sheet (2002).
Safety and Health Administration, “What
is Workplace Violence?,” OSHA Fact
Sheet (2002).
We help people experiencing workplace discrimination, focusing on cases involving race, gender, and disability.
We understand that your job is a significant aspect of your life and should enhance, not hinder, your well-being.
Our team confronts discrimination, protects whistleblowers, and promotes fair employment practices, from negotiating employment agreements to advocating for family rights and ADA accommodations. In disputes, we manage conflict resolution, and in the courtroom we fight tirelessly to pursue the justice and rights our clients deserve.
Nearly half (47%) of LGBTQ employees reported experiencing workplace discrimination or harassment based on their sexual orientation or gender identity during their lifetime.
5
Over 60 million workers are bound by mandatory arbitration agreements, further exposing systemic barriers to workplace justice.
Brad Sears, Neko Castleberry,
Andy Lin, and Christy Mallory,
“LGBTQ People’s Experiences of
Workplace Discrimination and
Harassment,“ UCLA Williams
Institute (August 2024).
Andy Lin, and Christy Mallory,
“LGBTQ People’s Experiences of
Workplace Discrimination and
Harassment,“ UCLA Williams
Institute (August 2024).
6
Alexander J.S. Colvin, “The Growing
Use of Mandatory Arbitration: Access
to the Courts is Now Barred for More
Than 60 Million American Workers,“
Economic Policy Institute (April 6, 2018).
Use of Mandatory Arbitration: Access
to the Courts is Now Barred for More
Than 60 Million American Workers,“
Economic Policy Institute (April 6, 2018).
Overview
Employees often face problems like theft of thier wages, discrimination, harassment, and occupational safety risks, all of which undermine their rights and dignity.
Black workers in the United States earn approximately 24.4% less per hour than White workers, a gap that has widened since 1979.
7
Valerie Wilson and William Darity Jr.,
“Understanding Black-White Disparities in
Labor Market Outcomes Requires Models
That Account for Persistent Discrimination
and Unequal Bargaining Power,“Economic
Policy Institute (March 25, 2022).
“Understanding Black-White Disparities in
Labor Market Outcomes Requires Models
That Account for Persistent Discrimination
and Unequal Bargaining Power,“Economic
Policy Institute (March 25, 2022).
Race Discrimination
Race discrimination exists across all industries, from subtle microaggressions to overt harassment or job loss—none of which should be tolerated. If you believe you’re being subjected to racial discrimination, trust your instincts. Our firm is committed to fighting inequality, with a focus on holding employers and colleagues accountable for discrimination.
We prioritize resolving cases early when possible, but are prepared to pursue litigation if necessary. Our commitment is to provide comprehensive, efficient service every step of the way.
In 2022 there were approximately 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses.
8
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,
“Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries
and Illnesses – 2021-2022,“ USDL-23-2359
(November 8, 2023).
“Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries
and Illnesses – 2021-2022,“ USDL-23-2359
(November 8, 2023).
Your Rights
- Discrimination & Harassment: Protection from unlawful workplace discrimination, with potential remedies such as reinstatement, back pay, compensatory, and punitive damages.
- Wrongful Termination: Possible compensation for lost wages and emotional distress in cases of unlawful termination.
- Wage & Hour Violations: The right to recover unpaid wages, including extra compensation and attorney's fees, for denied wages or overtime.
- Whistleblower Protection: Protection against retaliation for reporting illegal activities, with possible remedies like reinstatement and compensation.
- Workplace Safety: The ability to seek recovery for injuries caused by unsafe working conditions, including medical expenses and lost wages.
Approximately 70-77% of female physicians report experiencing gender discrimination in the workplace, which can manifest as sexual harassment, unequal pay, and denial of promotions.
9
Meghan C. Halley et al., “Physician Mothers’
Experience of Workplace Discrimination:
A Qualitative Analysis,“ BMJ 2018; 363
(Dec. 12, 2018).
Experience of Workplace Discrimination:
A Qualitative Analysis,“ BMJ 2018; 363
(Dec. 12, 2018).
Lawyers' Role
Our team addresses discrimination, wrongful termination, and wage disputes.
- Challenge Discrimination: We address workplace discrimination and advocate for equitable treatment in employment.
- Whistleblower Protection: We help protect whistleblowers from retaliation, advocating so their concerns are heard.
- Contract Negotiation: We help negotiate fair terms, including benefits and severance agreements.
- Promote Rights: We help secure rights under FMLA and ADA, advocating for inclusive workplaces.
- Dispute Resolution: We aim for timely, efficient dispute resolution through negotiation and mediation.
How We Can Help
Class Actions for Systemic Workplace Violations
Represent groups in class actions addressing widespread workplace or AI-related violations, such as wage theft, discriminatory policies, unsafe conditions, or algorithmic harms like data breaches and market manipulation. Pursue remedies under federal and Massachusetts laws.
Mass Arbitration for Worker and Consumer Rights
Challenge corporate misconduct through large-scale arbitration claims targeting unfair labor practices, deceptive consumer contracts, and systemic privacy violations from AI misuse. Represent employees and consumers seeking coordinated remedies despite forced arbitration clauses.
Employee Misclassification and Gig Economy Worker Rights
Represent workers, including gig economy employees, misclassified as independent contractors or subjected to algorithmic pay discrimination, wage theft, or unfair deactivation. Pursue reclassification, wage recovery, and access to benefits under Massachusetts Independent Contractor Law and federal labor protections.
AI-Induced Discrimination and Bias
Challenge biased AI systems in employment (hiring, promotions, performance evaluations, and terminations). Pursue remedies under Title VII, the ADA, M.G.L. Chapter 151B, and emerging federal AI regulations.
Protect Whistleblowers and Challenge Retaliation
Advocate for employees reporting fraud, workplace safety violations, discrimination, financial misconduct, environmental and ESG violations, or regulatory noncompliance. Pursue claims under the False Claims Act, Dodd-Frank Act, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, SEC and CFTC whistleblower programs, OSHA, and Massachusetts whistleblower laws to address retaliation and seek applicable remedies.
Address Wage and Hour Violations
Advocate for employees in individual and class action disputes involving unpaid wages, overtime violations, denied bonuses, tip theft, or prevailing wage issues. Pursue claims under the FLSA and Massachusetts wage laws.
Combat Workplace Discrimination
Represent employees facing discrimination based on race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, or caregiver status. Pursue remedies under Title VII, the ADA, PWFA, and M.G.L. Chapter 151B for back pay, reinstatement, and compensatory damages.
Pursue Workplace Harassment Claims
Handle cases involving sexual harassment, hostile work environments, or retaliation after reporting misconduct. Pursue remedies under Title VII and Massachusetts law.
Challenge Retaliation and Wrongful Termination
Litigate claims for employees terminated after reporting illegal practices, refusing to engage in unlawful conduct, or requesting workplace accommodations. Seek remedies under state and federal laws, including reinstatement, lost wages, and emotional distress damages.
Help Secure Leave Entitlements
Advocate for employees denied FMLA, Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), parental leave, or pregnancy accommodations. Pursue claims for reinstatement, back pay, and compliance with statutory leave protections.
Recover Unpaid Benefits and Pension Rights
Assist employees in disputes over denied retirement benefits, disability claims, or health coverage due to ERISA violations or fiduciary mismanagement. Challenge fiduciary breaches and unlawful benefit denials under ERISA and COBRA.
Advocate for Workplace Accommodations
Represent employees denied reasonable accommodations for disabilities, pregnancy, or religious observance under the ADA, PWFA, and Massachusetts anti-discrimination laws. Pursue individual relief and systemic compliance measures.
Privacy and Biometric Data Claims
Advocate for employees harmed by unlawful workplace surveillance, biometric data collection without consent, AI-driven productivity tracking, and data breaches. Pursue claims under Massachusetts privacy laws, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) where applicable, and emerging workplace privacy regulations.
Occupational Safety and Health Claims
Represent employees harmed by unsafe working conditions, hazardous exposures, workplace violence, or employer failures to address climate-related safety risks. Pursue claims under OSHA, Massachusetts workplace safety statutes, and evolving environmental and workplace safety regulations.
Promote Pay Transparency and Equity
Advocate for employees in unequal pay or wage transparency disputes under the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act (MEPA), National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), and federal equal pay laws. Pursue claims for wage adjustments, back pay, and compliance with transparency requirements.
Remote and Hybrid Work Disputes
Handle claims involving unpaid remote work hours, retaliation for refusing unsafe in-office returns, or denial of legally required work-from-home accommodations. Pursue remedies under the FLSA, ADA, and Massachusetts workplace laws.
Climate and ESG-Related Workplace Claims
Represent employees harmed by unsafe workplace conditions related to climate risks (e.g., extreme heat, air pollution, flooding) or those facing retaliation for reporting corporate ESG violations. Pursue claims under OSHA, SEC whistleblower programs, and environmental laws.
Regulatory Compliance and Risk Assessments
Advise on AI-driven employment decisions, workplace surveillance regulations, and compliance with evolving federal, state, and international laws. Help organizations align with Massachusetts statutes, data privacy regulations, and ethical AI standards.
