10 Ways Your Maryland Employment Lawyer Can Help You

August 30, 2019
The Law Firm of J.W. Stafford

Employment law is a large field that encompasses many different types of legal practice, including contract law, civil rights law, and administrative law. As such, employment attorneys do much more than just representing clients when disputes arise. In many cases, they can actually prevent disputes from arising. Below are 10 ways that your Maryland employment lawyer can help you.

1. Evaluating Your Employment Contract

If you have received an offer of employment that comes with an employment contract, you may not understand all of its terms or if all of its provisions are legally enforceable. An employment lawyer can explain your contract to you and negotiate favorable terms on your behalf.

2. Negotiating Non-Compete Agreements

Many employment contracts contain non-compete agreements that place restrictions on the employee’s ability to perform certain kinds of work both during and after the employment relationship. An employment lawyer can assist you in determining whether your non-compete agreement is reasonable and enforceable.

3. Drafting Professional Services Employment Agreements

If you are an independent contractor who provides professional services to your clients on a temporary basis, an employment lawyer can help you draft a professional services employment agreement that can mitigate your legal liability should disputes arise with clients.

4. Negotiating Your Compensation and Severance Package

In most cases, salaries and severance packages are negotiable. An employment lawyer can help you identify bargaining strengths and negotiate the most favorable compensation and severance package possible.

5. Representing You in Wage Disputes

All employees are legally entitled to be paid compensation for their work, including adequate minimum wage, overtime, and tips (if applicable). If your employer owes you wages, an employment lawyer can assist you in obtaining them.

6. Investigating Discrimination, Retaliation, and Wrongful Termination Claims

If you have suffered discrimination that you believe was on the basis of a protected characteristic — such as race, gender, or age — an employment lawyer can investigate your claims to determine the strength of your case.

7. Investigating Sexual Harassment

If you are experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace, an employment lawyer can investigate your case and help to put a stop to it, either through internal procedures or by pursuing legal action against your employer.

8. Pursuing Whistleblower Actions

Federal employees are protected by the Whistleblower Protection Act, which protects them from retaliation for disclosing violations of law being committed by their employers. If you believe that you have been retaliated against for whistleblowing activities, a Maryland employment lawyer can assist you in protecting your interests under the Act.

9. Advocating on Your Behalf in Legal Claims against Your Employer

Whether the resolution of your employment dispute requires mediation, arbitration, a hearing before a government administrative agency, or civil proceedings, your employment lawyer has had experience before them all and can provide you competent legal representation.

10. Defending Your Professional License

Most skilled professions require their practitioners to hold a license of some sort, and these licenses can be difficult and costly to obtain. If your professional license is under threat by your profession’s regulatory authority, an employment lawyer can help you to defend this valuable asset.

Speak With a Maryland Employment Lawyer

For more information about employment lawyers and the services they provide, please contact the attorneys at the Law Firm of J.W. Stafford for a consultation by calling 410-514-6099.