Employer retaliation cases are intense. To get the best outcome for your case, you need a lawyer who’s prepared for things to get heated. Here are the most important qualities you should look for when you’re hiring an employee retaliation lawyer in Kansas City, MO.
6 Qualities to Look for When Hiring an Employer Retaliation Lawyer in Kansas City, MO
1. Attention to Detail
Retaliation cases require specific elements. First, you witnessed or experienced illegal actions, such as sexual harassment. Second, you engaged in a protected activity, meaning you acted under your legal right to respond to the employer’s treatment. Third, the employer took action against you because of your response. Fourth, you suffered because of the actions taken against you.
You must have a lawyer who pays attention to detail. Proving each element of your case will require time and effort to get the right documentation. A lawyer can help you find out more about meeting the necessary elements for your case and what steps to take when you’re missing certain information.
2. Experience
There are dozens of specialties within the law, and lawyers typically focus on one specialty. This means that even the best lawyer you know may not be the right person for your retaliation case because their specialty is in copyright law. It requires experience for a lawyer to represent you successfully in your retaliation case, which is why you need a lawyer who works primarily on cases like yours.
Lawyers who have years of knowledge from working on workplace retaliation cases are familiar with the strategies needed to fight back against employers. They’ll know the tricks that opposing counsel will try to pull and how to get ahead of the unexpected. Their experience will give them insight into the strongest parts of your case and how to leverage these effectively in your favor.
3. Proven Track Record
Experience is only half of it, though. Results speak for themselves, which is why you need a lawyer with a proven track record. How often do they take retaliation cases to court? What is the outcome for clients when they do? After your employee rights have been violated, you deserve to have someone in your corner who can get you what’s yours.
4. Support System
Your lawyer must have a support system of other lawyers and legal resources during your case. When you make a case against your employer, they will call in their trained legal team to handle it. To get rid of your case, these lawyers will attempt anything from intimidating you into accepting a lowball settlement to burying your lawyer with paperwork. You need a lawyer with enough backup to keep up with whatever is thrown at them.
5. Composure
Employee retaliation cases are different than sexual harassment or discriminatory workplace cases because they have an added layer of unlawful behavior. It’s one thing to pass someone over for a promotion because of their race, and it’s another to go on to fire them when they speak up. When retaliatory action has taken place, it’s clear your employer is not above doing whatever is necessary to keep you quiet.
That means that any lawyer you hire may also become a target. You’ll need someone who can stay calm under pressure, think on their feet, and fight back when the opposing lawyers try to take advantage of you. A lawyer who has composure will be able to communicate with you and their team respectfully, even when things don’t go as planned.
6. Respect for Your Boundaries
Lastly, you’ll want a lawyer who respects your needs and boundaries. It’s enough to deal with your situation at work. You shouldn’t have to work with a lawyer who doesn’t make you feel comfortable. Don’t hesitate to meet with multiple lawyers before you select the one who will take your workplace retaliation case forward. Think about how you feel during the meeting and the way they treat you, especially how they communicate.
Everyone has different communication styles. Some lawyers will tell you things gently, while others will waste no time being direct. If you want a lawyer who is available in the evenings and on weekends, then you should have one! Similarly, if the thought of daily updates stresses you out, look for a lawyer who can keep you posted without making you feel overwhelmed. The right legal counsel for you is out there.
If you’re filing a claim against your employer for retaliation, you’re in for a long road. You need a lawyer with the experience to build a strong case and the self-control to keep their cool. The most important step you can take in your case is choosing an attorney who is willing to fight on your behalf and won’t quit when things get tough.
