You may require expert legal counsel if you have experienced harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, or any other illegal conduct in your workplace. A competent employment discrimination attorney in Hollywood can represent you and be instrumental in getting you the justice and compensation you deserve. However, finding the right legal representative in your area may not be a simple matter.
How do you find the right employment discrimination attorney?
Before you hire an employment discrimination attorney in Hollywood, it may help to consider the following factors:
The attorney’s knowledge of employment law
It is essential to find an attorney with in-depth knowledge of employment law. Since California’s employment law is very complicated and continues to evolve, the attorney should be someone who specializes in employment law and stays updated on new legal developments. He or she should be able to give you accurate information about your legal position and if your case will stand scrutiny in court.
For example, if you think you were wronged at your workplace and want to sue your employer, the attorney will let you know if your employer can be held legally liable. In some cases, even if your employer is morally wrong, they may not have violated any laws, and you cannot sue them. In that case, the attorney may help you to explore other legal options.
The attorney’s legal experience
Aside from being knowledgeable about the employment law in California, you want an attorney who has practical experience in representing clients in cases similar to yours. It is advisable to ask the attorney about the previous legal lawsuits they handled and how many he or she settled or won in court trials. If the attorney has a history of settling the majority of the cases, it might indicate that they are more interested in wrapping up things and receiving their compensation than in obtaining justice for you.
Ideally, seek an attorney with plenty of trial work experience and ask them in so many words about your chances of winning the case if it goes to trial. You can also ask for an estimate of the compensation you could win.
The attorney’s legal fees
Many attorneys offer a free initial consultation during which they will review your case and decide if it has legal merit. During this meeting, you must inquire about the legal fees. Legal representation is likely expensive, especially if your case takes a while to resolve. You can avoid surprises about this later by inquiring at the start about what the attorney will charge.
If the attorney accepts your case on a contingency basis, you should still ask about any additional expenses you are likely to incur until you get a legal resolution. Contingency basis cases are those cases that attorneys take on for free. You pay them for their representation only if they win the case for you. If they fail to win the case, it is unnecessary to pay anything. However, as mentioned, there can still be additional expenses that you must pay out of pocket.
The attorney’s client reviews
When first considering hiring an employment discrimination attorney in Hollywood, it is a good idea to research the attorney online and read client reviews. Of course, these are not likely to be 100% positive, but you want to look for an attorney with a higher percentage of positive ones than negative ones. Check what people say about their legal knowledge, competence, and helpfulness.
The attorney’s personality
Before hiring an employment discrimination attorney in Hollywood, it is reasonable to check if they have a decent professional record with no history of misconduct or illegal activities. Aside from this, you want to make sure that you have a good personal equation with them. During your initial interview to discuss your case, assess how comfortable you feel in talking about your legal issues with them. Are they willing to listen to you? Can you relate to them? Do you find them trustworthy?
Since legal cases do not usually resolve overnight, it may be necessary to interact with the attorney over several months. So, it is in your interest to hire someone you are likely to get along with well.
