Labor law attorneys, also known as employment lawyers, handle labor, employment, and union-related legal issues. These issues may include discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and other illegal acts in the workplace. Labor law attorneys have in-depth knowledge and understanding of state and federal employment law and may represent employers as well as employees. If you have labor-related legal concerns, you can search online for “labor law attorney Los Angeles” and get legal counsel from a competent, experienced labor law attorney in your area.
Who is a labor law attorney?
A labor law attorney is a qualified law professional who has studied and specialized in labor and employment law. When searching online for “labor law attorney Los Angeles,” look for attorneys who have a four-year bachelor’s degree and a three-year law degree from an accredited law school. Check that they have taken courses in employment and labor-related matters. They should also have interned at labor law firms, passed the bar exam, and possess a state license to practice law.
Since employment laws in California and the United States are subject to frequent changes, labor law attorneys must regularly stay updated on these developments. Since they have in-depth and up-to-date information about labor-related legal matters, they can offer reliable and pertinent legal advice on a range of labor issues.
What does a labor law attorney do?
Labor law attorneys may have an independent practice or work for a labor law firm and non-profit legal organizations. Various companies and corporations also employ labor law attorneys in their legal departments.
As qualified legal professionals, labor law attorneys handle a wide range of legal claims related to labor-related matters. These can range from workplace bullying to discrimination due to issues like age, gender, race, religion, ethnicity, and national origin to sexual harassment. The labor law attorneys may also help their clients find resolutions for disputes related to wages, benefits, unfair wages, unpaid wages, and work agreements. They will advise their clients on complying with local, state, and federal employment laws and inform them about collective bargaining settlements.
They may first attempt mediation and negotiation to find a mutually acceptable solution to the conflict between employers and employees and settle the matter out of court. However, if that is not possible for various reasons, the labor law attorneys will be prepared to represent their clients in court.
Along with possessing specialized legal knowledge of labor matters, labor law attorneys need to have excellent verbal and written communication skills to represent their clients effectively and put up a strong defense in and out of court. Given the complexities of labor law, they also need to have excellent research skills, analytical skills, and critical thinking skills. Additionally, they require strong interpersonal skills, project management skills, and time management skills.
How can a labor law attorney help you?
Many attorneys offer a free initial consultation during which they will review your case and help you understand your legal rights. For instance, if you work in California and have a complaint against your employer regarding workplace bullying, the labor law attorney will inform you that the state does not have a statute against bullying in the workplace. However, you may be able to take advantage of the AB 2053 law of 2014 that makes it mandatory for employers to stop abusive conduct in the workplace by providing education and training to their employees.
As per the law, nobody can harass you in your workplace on account of your color, race, ethnic origin, national origin, religious beliefs, medical condition, mental or physical disability, marital status, gender, and age. The labor law lawyer will determine if your mistreatment meets the legal criteria of workplace harassment. They will then inform you of your options of filing a formal complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) or filing a legal case against the bully or your employer. The lawyer may also find out if there have been other workplace violations that you can legally contest.
Whether the matter goes to court or not, your willingness to hire a labor law attorney and take legal action may make your employer more vigilant about preventing workplace harassment and taking action against offenders.