Guide to Finding Florida Employment Lawyer

In the workplace, both employers and employees may sometimes need to see out private legal counsel. Employment lawyers in Florida can help mediate and resolve issues resolving contracts, safety standards and other concerns covered by federal and state laws. Not all situations require you to find an attorney. If you are thinking of hiring a FL employment lawyer, here are some things to keep in mind.

Employment law

The term “employment law” refers to a number of different issues that are generally resolved in civil court. For business owners, it makes sense to retain the services of a Florida employment lawyer to:

• Review all your paperwork, such as contracts with employees

• Make sure your workplace is in compliance with all safety standards

• Help ensure you have taken all the necessary steps to reasonably accommodate disabled employees

• Help create severance packages

FL employment lawyers who offer these kinds of services are known as “transactional attorneys.” Their job is to work behind the scenes, maintain and review your records and take other steps to help make sure you do not accidentally open yourself up to a lawsuit.

Employees may need the help of a Florida employment lawyer to help them if:

• They have been fired in a way that violates the terms of their contract

• They have been discriminated against on the basis of their age, gender or race

• They are disabled and have not been accommodated by their employer

• They have been asked to perform illegal actions

• They have experienced sexual harassment

• They have been fired in retaliation for making a complaint

• They have been underpaid

If Florida employment lawyers cannot successfully negotiate with an employer, you will need an attorney to represent you in civil court. Employment lawyers in Florida cannot help people who have experienced an on-the-job injury. The workers compensation you are entitled to concerns another area of the law.

Civil court

Civil litigation can take a long time to resolve. Hiring a Florida employment lawyer to represent you in court is not a matter to be undertaken lightly. If you think you have clear proof that you have somehow been mistreated in the workplace and deserve compensation, you should still think about how much time, attention and money you can devote to pursuing legal compensation. Keep in mind that Florida allows employers to terminate their employees “at will.” Just because you have been fired does not mean a FL employment lawyer can get compensation for you.

You do not need a private attorney’s services to go to court. All people of sound mind are allowed to represent themselves in a “pro se” capacity without the help of a Florida employment lawyer. However, for most people it can be difficult to understand legal language or understand all the procedures they must follow in court. Most people will want the help of a FL employment lawyer if they are planning to file a lawsuit.

Most civil lawsuits are resolved long before a trial begins. Florida employment lawyers representing both sides will negotiate extensively in the pretrial process to attempt to establish a mutually acceptable financial settlement. If you are determined to go to court, you must make this clear at your first meeting with any attorney.

Finding an employment lawyer in Florida

As with any professional relationship you commit to, finding an attorney to represent you in civil court is not to be rushed into. If you decide you wish to pursue litigation, ask friends and family if they can recommend Florida employment lawyers they have worked with. You need a specialist familiar with the specifics of your issue and who is aware of all federal and state laws.

Prior to agreeing to a meeting with any FL employment lawyers, examine their disciplinary records online. If they have been censured for ethical violations or disbarred, they will not be of assistance. Do not take into consideration any advertising or websites that use grandiose language. You want to retain a Florida employment lawyer who will evaluate your case realistically rather than merely trying to bill you for an unwinnable case.

Initial consultations

Prepare for your first meeting with any attorney by assembling all the relevant documentation that may have a bearing on your case, such as:

• Employment contracts

• Pay stubs

• Medical records

• Bank statements

No FL employment lawyer can evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of any litigation until they are in possession of as much evidence possible. You should be prepared to answer any questions in as much detail as possible. Do not conceal any information you feel may weaken your case from Florida employment lawyers. Present your goals and expectations clearly.

In addition to answering questions, you should ask all Florida employment lawyers you consult some questions of your own, such as:

• What kind of specialized experience do you have with my kind of case?

• If you are not qualified to represent me, can you recommend a FL employment lawyer who is more experienced in this field?

• How long should I expect the legal process to take?

• Can I expect to receive an out-of-court settlement?

• Will I be working only with you or will other FL employment lawyers be involved?

• Who will be in charge of keeping me informed about all developments in my case? How often can I expect to be updated?

Payment

If it appears likely that you will receive financial compensation, some employment lawyers in Florida may be willing to represent you on a contingency basis. This means that they will take a percentage of what you are awarded rather than charging you directly. However, you may still be charged for some pretrial expenses. Some FL employment lawyers may be willing to advance these expenses as well.

Make sure to obtain a detailed, written estimate of all the expenses you can expect to arise during your first meeting. FL employment lawyers must clearly explain any charges you do not understand.