What Does an Employment Lawyer Do?
An employment lawyer represents employees or employers in disputes arising from the workplace. At the Lacy Employment Law Firm, we work exclusively on the employee side — representing workers in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and New Jersey who face discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, wage theft, retaliation, and violations of leave rights. Understanding what an employment lawyer actually does — and when you need one — helps you make informed decisions about protecting your career and livelihood.
Core Functions of an Employment Lawyer
Evaluating Your Legal Claims
The first thing an employment lawyer does is assess whether your situation involves a violation of law. Not every unfair workplace action is illegal — Pennsylvania is an at-will employment state, and employers can make many decisions employees disagree with. An employment lawyer identifies the specific legal protections that apply to your circumstances, whether those protections come from federal statutes (Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FLSA, FMLA), state statutes (PHRA, WPCL, PMWA), local ordinances (Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance), or common law doctrines (wrongful termination in violation of public policy).
Gathering and Preserving Evidence
Employment lawyers collect documentation that supports your claim and ensure that critical evidence is preserved. This includes obtaining your personnel file, performance reviews, and disciplinary records, preserving emails, text messages, and internal communications before the employer can delete them, identifying and interviewing witnesses, requesting company policies and handbooks relevant to your treatment, and analyzing pay data, promotion records, and statistical evidence of discriminatory patterns.
Filing Administrative Complaints
Most employment discrimination claims require filing a charge with a government agency before you can sue in court. Your employment lawyer handles filings with the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission), PHRC (Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission), PCHR (Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations), NJDCR (New Jersey Division on Civil Rights), and state and federal departments of labor for wage claims. Each agency has different deadlines, jurisdictional requirements, and strategic advantages. Your lawyer determines the optimal filing strategy based on the specific facts of your case.
Negotiating Settlements
The majority of employment cases resolve through negotiation rather than trial. An employment lawyer negotiates on your behalf with the opposing employer or their insurance carrier, leveraging the strength of your legal claims, the cost of litigation to the employer, and the available damages to secure the best possible outcome. Settlement negotiations may occur at any stage — during the agency investigation, in pre-litigation demand letters, during formal mediation, or throughout the court process.
Litigating in Court
When settlement is not possible or the employer refuses to offer fair compensation, your employment lawyer files suit and represents you through the litigation process. This includes drafting and filing the complaint, conducting discovery (depositions, document requests, interrogatories), filing and opposing motions, preparing for and conducting trial, and handling post-trial motions and appeals if necessary.
Reviewing Employment Contracts and Severance Agreements
Employment lawyers review contracts before you sign them, identifying problematic provisions like overly broad non-compete clauses, mandatory arbitration agreements, and waivers of legal rights. When you are offered a severance package, your attorney evaluates whether the amount is fair relative to the legal claims you would be waiving, and negotiates better terms when possible.
Types of Cases Employment Lawyers Handle
Employment law covers a broad range of workplace issues. The most common categories include workplace discrimination based on race, sex, age, disability, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Sexual harassment and hostile work environment claims involve unwelcome conduct based on protected characteristics. Wrongful termination claims arise when an employer fires you for an illegal reason. Wage and hour violations include unpaid overtime, minimum wage violations, and misclassification. FMLA violations involve denial of leave, interference, or retaliation for taking protected leave. Retaliation and whistleblower claims protect employees who report misconduct.
When Should You Contact an Employment Lawyer?
Contact an employment lawyer as early as possible when you suspect your rights are being violated. Early legal consultation allows you to preserve evidence before it disappears, understand the filing deadlines that apply to your claims, avoid statements or actions that could weaken your case, and begin building a documented record that supports your position.
Specific situations that warrant immediate legal consultation include receiving a termination notice or being placed on a performance improvement plan you believe is pretextual, being offered a severance agreement (never sign without legal review), experiencing or witnessing harassment that your employer refuses to address, being denied a promotion or receiving a pay cut you believe is discriminatory, and returning from medical or family leave to a changed job or hostile environment.
How the Lacy Employment Law Firm Works With Clients
Attorney Andrew Lacy, Jr. represents employees on a contingency fee basis for most case types — you pay no attorney fees unless your case results in a recovery. The process begins with a free consultation where we evaluate your claims, explain your legal options, and outline the likely timeline and process. If we take your case, we handle all aspects of the legal process while keeping you informed at every stage.
The firm serves employees across Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and New Jersey.
If you need an employment lawyer, start with a free consultation. Call (215) 515-5924 for Philadelphia, (412) 258-5765 for Pittsburgh, or submit the contact form on this page.
