Key Takeaways

  • When you need one: You need an employment lawyer when you have been wrongfully terminated, experienced workplace discrimination or harassment, had wages stolen, been denied legally required leave, or faced retaliation for reporting illegal activity. An attorney can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation.
  • Typical fees: Employment attorneys handling employee-side cases often work on contingency (30-40% of recovery) for discrimination and harassment claims. Wage-and-hour cases may be handled on contingency or hourly ($200-$450/hour). Some cases qualify for attorney fee-shifting where the employer pays if you win.

Find a Employment Law Lawyer

Select your state to see cost expectations, what to look for, and how to connect with a employment law attorney.

State Average Fees
Alabama Employment lawyers in Alabama commonly take discrimination and harassment cases on 30-40% contingency. Hourly rates are $150-$300 for non-contingency work. Many statutes allow fee-shifting so the employer pays if you win.
Alaska In Alaska, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
Arizona In Arizona, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
Arkansas Employment lawyers in Arkansas commonly take discrimination and harassment cases on 30-40% contingency. Hourly rates are $150-$300 for non-contingency work. Many statutes allow fee-shifting so the employer pays if you win.
California Employment lawyers in California handling employee-side cases often work on 33-40% contingency for discrimination and harassment claims. Hourly rates are $300-$500+ for non-contingency matters. Many federal and state statutes provide for fee-shifting.
Colorado Employment lawyers in Colorado handling employee-side cases often work on 33-40% contingency for discrimination and harassment claims. Hourly rates are $300-$500+ for non-contingency matters. Many federal and state statutes provide for fee-shifting.
Connecticut Employment lawyers in Connecticut handling employee-side cases often work on 33-40% contingency for discrimination and harassment claims. Hourly rates are $300-$500+ for non-contingency matters. Many federal and state statutes provide for fee-shifting.
Delaware In Delaware, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
District of Columbia Employment lawyers in District of Columbia handling employee-side cases often work on 33-40% contingency for discrimination and harassment claims. Hourly rates are $300-$500+ for non-contingency matters. Many federal and state statutes provide for fee-shifting.
Florida In Florida, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
Georgia In Georgia, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
Hawaii Employment lawyers in Hawaii handling employee-side cases often work on 33-40% contingency for discrimination and harassment claims. Hourly rates are $300-$500+ for non-contingency matters. Many federal and state statutes provide for fee-shifting.
Idaho Employment lawyers in Idaho commonly take discrimination and harassment cases on 30-40% contingency. Hourly rates are $150-$300 for non-contingency work. Many statutes allow fee-shifting so the employer pays if you win.
Illinois Employment lawyers in Illinois handling employee-side cases often work on 33-40% contingency for discrimination and harassment claims. Hourly rates are $300-$500+ for non-contingency matters. Many federal and state statutes provide for fee-shifting.
Indiana In Indiana, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
Iowa Employment lawyers in Iowa commonly take discrimination and harassment cases on 30-40% contingency. Hourly rates are $150-$300 for non-contingency work. Many statutes allow fee-shifting so the employer pays if you win.
Kansas Employment lawyers in Kansas commonly take discrimination and harassment cases on 30-40% contingency. Hourly rates are $150-$300 for non-contingency work. Many statutes allow fee-shifting so the employer pays if you win.
Kentucky Employment lawyers in Kentucky commonly take discrimination and harassment cases on 30-40% contingency. Hourly rates are $150-$300 for non-contingency work. Many statutes allow fee-shifting so the employer pays if you win.
Louisiana In Louisiana, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
Maine Employment lawyers in Maine commonly take discrimination and harassment cases on 30-40% contingency. Hourly rates are $150-$300 for non-contingency work. Many statutes allow fee-shifting so the employer pays if you win.
Maryland In Maryland, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
Massachusetts Employment lawyers in Massachusetts handling employee-side cases often work on 33-40% contingency for discrimination and harassment claims. Hourly rates are $300-$500+ for non-contingency matters. Many federal and state statutes provide for fee-shifting.
Michigan In Michigan, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
Minnesota In Minnesota, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
Mississippi Employment lawyers in Mississippi commonly take discrimination and harassment cases on 30-40% contingency. Hourly rates are $150-$300 for non-contingency work. Many statutes allow fee-shifting so the employer pays if you win.
Missouri In Missouri, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
Montana Employment lawyers in Montana commonly take discrimination and harassment cases on 30-40% contingency. Hourly rates are $150-$300 for non-contingency work. Many statutes allow fee-shifting so the employer pays if you win.
Nebraska Employment lawyers in Nebraska commonly take discrimination and harassment cases on 30-40% contingency. Hourly rates are $150-$300 for non-contingency work. Many statutes allow fee-shifting so the employer pays if you win.
Nevada In Nevada, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
New Hampshire In New Hampshire, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
New Jersey Employment lawyers in New Jersey handling employee-side cases often work on 33-40% contingency for discrimination and harassment claims. Hourly rates are $300-$500+ for non-contingency matters. Many federal and state statutes provide for fee-shifting.
New Mexico Employment lawyers in New Mexico commonly take discrimination and harassment cases on 30-40% contingency. Hourly rates are $150-$300 for non-contingency work. Many statutes allow fee-shifting so the employer pays if you win.
New York Employment lawyers in New York handling employee-side cases often work on 33-40% contingency for discrimination and harassment claims. Hourly rates are $300-$500+ for non-contingency matters. Many federal and state statutes provide for fee-shifting.
North Carolina In North Carolina, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
North Dakota Employment lawyers in North Dakota commonly take discrimination and harassment cases on 30-40% contingency. Hourly rates are $150-$300 for non-contingency work. Many statutes allow fee-shifting so the employer pays if you win.
Ohio In Ohio, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
Oklahoma Employment lawyers in Oklahoma commonly take discrimination and harassment cases on 30-40% contingency. Hourly rates are $150-$300 for non-contingency work. Many statutes allow fee-shifting so the employer pays if you win.
Oregon In Oregon, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
Pennsylvania In Pennsylvania, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
Rhode Island In Rhode Island, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
South Carolina In South Carolina, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
South Dakota Employment lawyers in South Dakota commonly take discrimination and harassment cases on 30-40% contingency. Hourly rates are $150-$300 for non-contingency work. Many statutes allow fee-shifting so the employer pays if you win.
Tennessee In Tennessee, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
Texas In Texas, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
Utah In Utah, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
Vermont In Vermont, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
Virginia In Virginia, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
Washington Employment lawyers in Washington handling employee-side cases often work on 33-40% contingency for discrimination and harassment claims. Hourly rates are $300-$500+ for non-contingency matters. Many federal and state statutes provide for fee-shifting.
West Virginia Employment lawyers in West Virginia commonly take discrimination and harassment cases on 30-40% contingency. Hourly rates are $150-$300 for non-contingency work. Many statutes allow fee-shifting so the employer pays if you win.
Wisconsin In Wisconsin, employment attorneys typically charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination cases or $200-$400 per hour. Wage-and-hour cases may qualify for fee-shifting. Free consultations are common for employee-side claims.
Wyoming Employment lawyers in Wyoming commonly take discrimination and harassment cases on 30-40% contingency. Hourly rates are $150-$300 for non-contingency work. Many statutes allow fee-shifting so the employer pays if you win.