Our firm also represents clients in their claims against employers, public or private, and other institutions where their state or federal civil rights have been violated in the course of their employment.  We also represent clients when there is a claim that their employer has violated federal or state statutory protections of their employment status.

Civil rights are broader than the term has come to be generally understood.  Civil rights are those benefits granted by a community through its institutions of government upon members of the community.  Civil rights are based on legislative action by statute, both state and federal.  Civil rights are, therefore, subject to change over time for a variety of reasons, including shifting legislative majorities, the outlook of the chief executive, court interpretation, and changing societal mores. 

Civil rights claims may include gender or race-based claims under federal or state civil rights statutes (like the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 or Michigan’s Elliot-Larson Civil Rights Act).

Employment claims can resemble civil rights claims (and sometimes may seem just a subcategory), but are distinct in that the legislation creating them always has the employment relationship as its central focus.  Claims may be based on federal statutes, such as the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or the Equal Pay Act (EPA).  State law claims may involve, for example, wage and hour claims.