New York City Employment Discrimination Lawyers

Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, our New York City office is highly accessible to workers across all five boroughs. We have built our reputation on providing fierce, client-centered representation against some of the world’s largest companies. Our firm’s commitment to justice has led to marquee results and high-profile matters that have garnered national media credibility, including features in CNN, MSNBC, New York Magazine, and other major publications. We do not back down from complex cases or powerful adversaries.

When you hire Filippatos PLLC, you are not just getting a lawyer; you are gaining a dedicated partner who treats you with the dignity and compassion you deserve. We combine decades of top-tier legal experience with a deeply personal approach, ensuring that your unique voice and agency are at the forefront of our legal strategy. Together, we win.

Everyone should feel safe and protected in their place of work, whether you’re in your home or your office. When you feel your superiors or colleagues may be treating you poorly because of who you are, who you love, or what your status may be, you deserve legal representation that takes time to understand your situation and fights for you.

How We Help NYC Employees

Our seasoned employment attorneys are well-versed in the complex web of federal, state, and city laws that govern the modern workplace. We handle a wide array of employment law matters to ensure your rights and livelihood are protected.

Workplace Discrimination

Discrimination can be blatant or subtle, but it is always illegal. We fight for employees who have been unfairly targeted in hiring, firing, promotions, or daily treatment due to their race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, or other protected characteristics.

Sexual Harassment, Hostile Work Environment

No one should have to endure unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or offensive remarks to keep their job. Whether you are dealing with quid pro quo harassment by a superior or a pervasive hostile work environment created by colleagues or clients, our attorneys will help you hold the responsible parties accountable and restore your sense of safety.

Wrongful Termination

Losing your job is devastating, especially if it was done for unlawful reasons. If you were fired after reporting discrimination, complaining about wage theft, or taking protected medical leave, you may be the victim of wrongful termination and illegal retaliation. We will aggressively pursue the compensation and justice you are owed.

Whistleblower Protections

It takes immense courage to report corporate fraud, safety violations, or financial misconduct. New York and federal laws provide strict protections for whistleblowers. If your employer has retaliated against you for doing the right thing, our legal team will stand by your side to protect your career and your reputation.

Severance, Contracts & Executive Negotiations

Before you sign an employment agreement, non-compete, or severance package, it is critical to have an experienced attorney review the terms with you. We assist executives, professionals and employees across New York City in negotiating fair protective contracts that secure their financial future and preserve their career mobility.

Your Rights are Stronger in New York City

If you work in the five boroughs, you benefit from some of the most robust, employee-friendly workplace protections in the country. Understanding the difference between federal law and city law is crucial to maximizing the value and success of your claim.

Under federal law, proving a hostile work environment requires demonstrating that the harassment was “severe or pervasive”. However, the New York City Human Rights Law, found under Admin Code 8-101 et seq., eliminated this high bar. In New York City, you only need to prove that you were treated less well than others because of a protected characteristic-a standard that covers what federal courts may dismiss as “petty slights or trivial inconveniences.”

The NYCHRL is exceptionally broad in its coverage. Unlike many federal statutes, New York City protections extend to independent contractors, freelancers, and domestic workers. The city law also allows uncapped punitive damages, meaning juries can impose heavy penalties on employers who engage in egregious conduct, providing a powerful deterrent against future misconduct.

Where to File in NYC: NYCCHR vs. NYSDHR vs. EEOC

Navigating the administrative agencies that handle employment claims can be daunting. In NYC, you generally have three avenues for filing an administrative charge before proceeding to court.

• NYC Commission on Human Rights (NYCCHR): Enforces the NYCHRL. This agency is preferred for its broad, employee-friendly standards and lack of damage caps.
• New York State Division of Human Rights (NYSDHR): Enforces the New York State Human Rights Law (NY Exec. Law 290 et seq.) Recent amendments have brought state protections much closer to the city’s broad standards.
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): The federal agency handling Title VII, ADA, and ADEA claims. Filing here is often a prerequisite if you intend to pursue federal claims in a U.S. District Court.

Industries We See Most in NYC

New York City’s economy is as diverse as its people. While discrimination can happen anywhere, our firm frequently litigates against employers in the city’s most prominent sectors.

Finance and Banking

Wall Street and the broader financial sector are notorious for high-pressure, male-dominated environments. We frequently handle cases involving glass ceilings, unequal pay, gender discrimination, and retaliation, including the withholding of bonuses, at major banks, hedge funds, and private equity firms.

Media and Entertainment

Despite a progressive public image, the general media, publishing, and entertainment industries often struggle with entrenched boys’ clubs, age discrimination, and sexual harassment. We have a proven track record of holding powerful media figures and networks accountable for hostile work environments.

Healthcare

Health care workers face immense stress, which is often compounded by systemic issues like racial discrimination, failure to accommodate disabilities, and retaliation for whistleblowing regarding patient safety or regulatory violations.

Tech

New York’s booming “Silicon Alley” frequently imports the toxic bro culture scene from the West Coast. We routinely assist tech workers and executives dealing with startup founders who ignore HR protocols, resulting in pregnancy discrimination, unequal equity distribution, and LGBTQIA plus bias.

Hospitality and Restaurants

The fast-paced nature of NYC’s world-class culinary and hospitality scene often breeds rampant wage theft, tip pooling violations, and pervasive third-party sexual harassment from both management and VIP clientele.

Deadlines for NYC Employment Claims

Time is of the essence in employment law. Missing a statute of limitations can permanently bar you from seeking justice.  In New York City, deadlines for filing employment claims vary depending on the agency involved and the nature of the claim.

• Federal Law (EEOC): 300 days from the date of the last discriminatory act.
• City Law(NYCCHR): 1 year, or 3 years for harassment, applying specifically to claims of gender-based harassment.
• State Law/City Court Law: 3 years from claims filed directly in court under the NYSHRL or NYCHRL.

Visit Our New York City Office

Filippatos PLLC has been lucky to expand our offices, right in the heart of the Big Apple! Our New York City office is located in East Midtown on Madison Avenue, just a short walk away from Rockefeller Center.

Filippatos PLLC – New York City Office

425 Madison Avenue, Suite 1502

New York, NY 10017-1138

Phone: 212-202-0234

By Subway

Take the E or M train to 5th Av/53rd St, the 6 train to 51st St, or the B, D, F, M trains to 47-50 St – Rockefeller Center.

NYC Employment Discrimination FAQs

How much does it cost to hire an employment lawyer in New York City?

We understand that facing workplace issues often comes with financial insecurity. Filippatos PLLC handles many workplace discrimination, harassment, and retaliation cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay us any attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. We also offer transparent pricing structures for hourly and flat-fee matters, such as contract reviews.

How long does an employment discrimination case take?

The timeline varies widely depending on the complexity of your case, the employer’s willingness to settle, and backlogs at administrative agencies or courts. A straightforward negotiation might resolve in a few months, while a case that goes to a jury trial can take two to three years. We focus on finding the most efficient, effective solution tailored to your goals.

Can my employer fire me for complaining about discrimination?

No. It is explicitly illegal under federal, state, and New York City law for an employer to retaliate against you for opposing discrimination, filing a complaint, or participating in an investigation. If they do fire you, that creates a separate, highly actionable claim for retaliation.

Is my consultation confidential?

Yes. Everything you discuss with our attorneys during your consultation is strictly confidential and protected by the attorney-client privilege, even if you ultimately choose not to hire our firm.

Do I have a case?

Every situation is unique. The best way to determine if you have a viable legal claim is to speak directly with our team. We will listen to your story, review any evidence you have, like emails or performance reviews, and provide a candid, professional assessment of your legal options.

Talk to a New York City Employment Lawyer

If you are facing workplace discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or another employment law issue, you do not have to navigate it alone. The attorneys at Filippatos PLLC can listen to what happened, explain your legal options, and help you determine the appropriate next steps.

Contact Filippatos PLLC today to schedule a confidential consultation with a New York City employment lawyer.