Top Oklahoma City, OK Employment Law Lawyers Near You

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What Is Employment Law?

Employment law is the area of law that governs the employer-employee relationship. It consists of thousands of state and federal laws, administrative regulations, and judicial decisions addressing a broad range of employment issues to protect workers’ rights.

In the U.S., employment has become a measure of self-worth, dignity, achievement, and satisfaction. The development of employment laws to protect the rights of employees is a reflection of work’s importance in our society.

What Employment Issues May I Need Help Within Oklahoma?

An employment attorney can help you with many employment issues, from employment discrimination to compensation and workplace health and safety. Common employment disputes include the following:

• Workplace discrimination, including age discrimination and civil rights issues,
• Workplace harassment, such as sexual harassment,
• Workplace health and safety, worker’s compensation, personal injury,
• Wrongful termination,
• Benefits,
• The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and other leave of absence issues,
• Wage disputes, including overtime pay and minimum wage,
• Defamation,
• Arbitration, and
• Employment contracts.

What Can an Oklahoma Employment Lawyer Do For Me?

An employment lawyer may be able to assist you with the following:

• Educating you on federal and state laws concerning employment-related matters,
• Reviewing the merits of your complaint,
• Advising you regarding the course of action you should take,
• Assisting you in deciding whether to settle your case or litigate in court, and
• Helping you protect yourself against additional employment dispute claims.

Are There Any Employment Lawyers Near Me In Oklahoma City, OK?

Taking the next step forward to protect your workplace rights should start with consulting with an experienced employment attorney. Finding the right fit for your case may seem daunting, but many attorneys in your area are ready to help advocate on behalf of clients like you. The LawInfo directory can help you find verified employment lawyers in Oklahoma City.

How Much Does an Employment Attorney in Oklahoma City Cost?

Employment lawyers charge from $100/hr to $1,000/hr depending on the issue, the attorney’s skill, and location. Some attorneys may ask for payment of a portion of the fee upfront, also known as a retainer.

When Should I Hire an Employment Lawyer?

It is in your best interest to get legal help early in addressing your situation. There are times when quickly hiring a lawyer is critical to your case, such as if you are charged with a crime. Having a lawyer review the fine print before signing legal documents may also be a good idea. A lawyer can also help you get the compensation you deserve if you’ve suffered a severe injury. For issues where money or property is at stake, having a lawyer guide you through the complexities of the legal system can save you time, hassle, and possibly a lot of grief in the long run.

What Are the Top Questions I Should Ask an Employment Lawyer?

• What is the usual process to resolve my case?
• How long will it take to resolve this case?
• What are the likely outcomes of a case like mine?
• What should I expect if my case goes to court?

An experienced lawyer should be able to communicate a basic “road map” on how to proceed. The lawyer should be able to walk you through the anticipated process, key considerations, and potential pitfalls to avoid. Once you’ve laid out the facts of your situation to the lawyer, they should be able to frame expectations and likely scenarios to help you understand your legal issue.

How Will An Employment Attorney Charge Me?

A reputable attorney will be very upfront about how they will charge you. The three most common fee structures that attorneys use to charge for their services are:

• Bill by the hour
• Contingent fee agreement
• Flat fee agreement

Depending on your specific legal situation, only one type of fee structure may be available. For instance, criminal defense attorneys almost always bill by the hour. A flat fee arrangement is when an attorney accepts a one-time payment to help you resolve your issue. With a contingent fee agreement, the client pays little to nothing upfront, and the attorney receives a percentage of the money recovered if you win your case.

Best Time to Seek Legal Help

No matter what your legal issue may be, it is always best to seek legal help early in the process. An attorney can help secure what is likely to be the best possible outcome for your situation and avoid both unnecessary complications or errors.

How to Prepare for Your Initial Consultation

Prepare for your consultation by writing down notes of your understanding of the case, jot down questions and concerns for the attorney, and gather your documents. Remember that you are trying to get a sense of whether the attorney has your trust and can help you address your legal issues. Questions should include how the attorney intends to resolve your issue, how many years he/she has been practicing law and specifically practicing in your area, as well as how many cases similar to yours the attorney has handled. It can also be helpful to broach the subject of fees so that you understand the likely cost and structure of your representation by a specific attorney and/or legal team.

Types of legal fees:

Bill by the hour: Many attorneys bill by the hour. How much an attorney bills you per hour will vary based on a number of factors. For instance, an attorney’s hourly fee may fluctuate based on whether that hour is spent representing you in court or doing research on your case. Attorneys in one practice area may bill you more than attorneys in a different practice area.

Contingent fee: Some lawyers will accept payment via contingent fee. In this arrangement, the lawyer receives a percentage of the total monetary recovery if you win your lawsuit. In sum, the lawyer only gets paid if you win. Contingent fee agreements are limited to specific practice areas in civil law.

Flat fee: For “routine” legal work where the attorney generally knows the amount of time and resources necessary to complete the task, he/she may be willing to bill you a flat fee for services performed.

Common legal terms explained

Plaintiff – a person or party who brings a lawsuit against another person(s) or party/parties in a court of law. Private persons or parties can only file suit in civil court.

Judgment – A decision of the court. Also known as a decree or order. Judgments handed down by the court are usually binding on the parties before the court.