DC Discrimination Lawyers
We represent DC employees in discrimination and sexual harassment cases. Our practice focuses on representing DC employees who have faced discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in the workplace. Of all of the jurisdictions that we practice, DC has the most protections for employees from discrimination.
Understanding the DC Legal Landscape
What sets Washington, DC apart is the strength of its anti-discrimination laws. The DC Human Rights Act (DCHRA) is one of the most comprehensive in the nation. It prohibits discrimination in employment based on over 23 protected traits, including race, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, and even personal appearance. The DCHRA has added many new categories of discrimination over the past several years.
DC employees benefit from two layers of civil rights protection: local enforcement through the DC Office of Human Rights (DC OHR) and federal enforcement through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Navigating this system, however, requires knowledge, strategy, and persistence—qualities we bring to every case. It is important to hire a DC discrimination lawyer to assist you in these processes.
Common Forms of Discrimination We Handle
Our practice spans a wide array of workplace discrimination issues in DC, including (but not limited to):
- Racial Discrimination: From disparate treatment in promotions to racially hostile work environments.
- Gender and Pregnancy Discrimination: Including unequal pay, demotions, or termination due to pregnancy or caregiving responsibilities.
- Sexual Harassment: Unwanted advances, inappropriate conduct, or retaliation for reporting misconduct.
- Disability Discrimination: Denial of reasonable accommodations or being penalized for health conditions.
- LGBTQ+ Discrimination: Misgendering, policy exclusion, or retaliation based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Retaliation: When employees are punished for speaking up, filing complaints, or supporting others.
- Political Affiliation: Discrimination based on an employees political leanings.
- Personal Appearance: Employees who are disciplined for their outward appearance, such as hairstyle, facial hair, tattoos
The Process: What We Do for Our Clients
Each case begins with a consultation. We meet with DC employees in a consultation and take the time to understand not just what happened, but how it has affected your career and well-being. From there, we guide clients through each stage of the process:
- Case Evaluation: Reviewing facts, documents, and timelines to assess the strength of your claim.
- Filing with the OHR or EEOC: Ensuring that complaints are properly drafted, timely filed, and strategically framed.
- Mediation & Settlement Negotiation: Leveraging early resolution opportunities to secure fair outcomes. This is often the most important step. When settlement is successful we memorialize it in a settlement agreement.
- Investigation Oversight: Monitoring OHR or EEOC investigations and supplementing evidence where needed. It is important to often remind the OHR or EEOC of cases in processing. Otherwise, cases can take additional time to process.
- Administrative Hearings or Litigation: Representing clients before the DC OHR and EEOC or other venues when necessary.
Throughout, our goals are to remedy the harms that took place and to help our clients move forward—financially, professionally, and emotionally. We treat our clients with the respect they deserve.
A Personal Approach to Each Case
Workplace discrimination often brings with it shame, fear, and isolation. Our commitment is to empower our clients—by explaining the law clearly, setting realistic expectations, and advocating tenaciously. Many clients come to us after internal complaints have gone nowhere, or after being told by HR that they have no recourse. Our DC discrimination attorneys work very hard to represent employees who have been affected by discrimination and sexual harassment.
Contact Us
If you are a DC employee who has been treated unfairly because of who you are, you don’t have to face it alone. We offer consultations to help you understand your options and whether legal action is appropriate. Discrimination has no place in the workplace. Please contact us at (703) 668-0070 or through our website to schedule a consultation with a DC discrimination attorney.
