A wrongful termination attorney can provide advice and legal representation if you have been fired or laid off and you think the decision was unlawful. There are several illegal or “wrongful” reasons for termination:

• Firing as a form of discrimination (based on race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability)
• Termination in retaliation for an employee lodging a claim or complaint
• Violation of an employment contract
• Firing that violates labor law
• Termination as an end result of sexual harassment
• Firing in violation of union rules

You have the right to dispute your firing, whether you work for the government or in private industry. It is instructive to remember that in most situations in which an employee is being terminated, the employer has the benefit of legal advice and Human Resources Department procedures that have been designed to provide legal protection to the employer

• You have a right to advice and counsel, too. A wrongful termination attorney can discuss what happened to you and whether you can pursue a legal remedy. Some outcomes may be getting a job back. Sometimes a suitable severance agreement can be negotiated. There may be money compensation, penalties, or back pay. No wrongful termination lawyer can promise an outcome. I always promise to give you one-to-one attention. Losing a job is stressful and emotional. You can count on my support and encouragement.
• I am a wrongful termination attorney with experience in state and federal courts, experience before the appropriate administrative hearing boards, and with the procedural protections outlined for federal government employees. I have EEOC, EEO, DOHA and MSPB knowledge and experience. I can advise and represent you if you are a federal employee, Defense Department or military staff, a state or local government worker, or you were employed by a private or educational concern.

How do you know that your termination or layoff was illegal? The laws are very clear. Unfortunately, the manner in which they are applied when letting someone go can be very muddy. It is illegal to discriminate. You cannot be terminated for discriminatory purposes – on the basis of your race, national origin, sex, religion, disability or age. Whether one of those reasons was stated or you suspect it, the advice of a wrongful termination attorney may be able to help you sort out what really happened to you.

There are other protections, which cover such factors as sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy and sexual harassment. You are protected against retaliation for filing a complaint or pointing out an unsafe or unfair workplace situation.

People often ask a wrongful termination attorney if their employer has the right to fire them. Usually there must be a documented reason. In an employment contract other circumstances may be spelled out. With civil service or collective bargaining rules, other requirements exist. An employer can fire. How and why it is done must follow the law.


Paul V. Bennett PA practices as a wrongful termination attorney in Washington DC, Baltimore MD as well as Annapolis, Ellicott City, Upper Marlboro, Glen Burnie, Silver Spring, Bowie, Salisbury, Crofton, Severna Park, and Rockville. The inclusion of possible outcomes in the discussion on this web page is for informational purposes only and does not promise or suggest a result in any actual case.