Sexual Harassment Attorney in Brooklyn Heights, NY
Stop Workplace Harassment. Get Justice.
Hear from Our Customers
Brooklyn Heights Sexual Harassment Lawyer
Sexual harassment doesn’t just violate your rights—it steals your peace of mind, damages your career, and makes every workday unbearable. You shouldn’t have to choose between your paycheck and your safety.
When you work with The Howley Law Firm, you’re not just getting legal representation. You’re getting your life back. We’ve recovered millions for harassment victims across New York, turning workplace nightmares into financial justice.
You’ll sleep better knowing someone with Supreme Court experience is fighting for you. Your harasser will face real consequences. And you’ll have the resources to move forward on your terms, not theirs.
Experienced Sexual Harassment Attorneys Brooklyn Heights
For 20 years, we represented Fortune 500 companies like Pfizer, Citibank, and Sony in their biggest legal battles. We argued cases in the U.S. Supreme Court and worked alongside the country’s most elite attorneys.
Now we use that same expertise to fight for individuals facing workplace harassment in Brooklyn Heights and throughout New York. We know how corporations think, how they defend harassment cases, and exactly where their weaknesses are.
Brooklyn Heights professionals deserve the same caliber of legal representation that major corporations receive. That’s what we deliver—every single case, every single client.
Sexual Harassment Case Process Brooklyn Heights
First, we listen. During your free consultation, we’ll review what happened, explain your rights under New York law, and outline your options. No judgment, no pressure—just clear answers about where you stand.
Next, we investigate. We’ll gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a case that proves the harassment occurred and damaged you. This includes documenting the hostile work environment, any quid pro quo demands, and the impact on your career and emotional well-being.
Then we fight. Whether through negotiation or litigation, we pursue maximum compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, and punitive damages. We handle everything while you focus on healing and moving forward with your life.
Ready to get started?
Brooklyn Heights Workplace Harassment Laws
New York offers some of the strongest sexual harassment protections in the country. Unlike federal law, New York City’s Human Rights Law doesn’t require harassment to be “severe or pervasive”—even single incidents can be actionable.
Brooklyn Heights employees are protected under multiple layers of law: federal Title VII, New York State Human Rights Law, and New York City Human Rights Law. Each provides different remedies and time limits, which is why you need an attorney who understands all three.
Recent changes to New York law also prohibit non-disclosure agreements in harassment cases and extend the statute of limitations. This means more victims can come forward and speak publicly about their experiences, creating real accountability for harassers.
What counts as sexual harassment under New York law?
Sexual harassment in New York includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. This covers everything from inappropriate comments and touching to quid pro quo demands where job benefits are tied to sexual compliance.
New York City law is particularly broad—it doesn’t require the harassment to be “severe or pervasive” like federal law does. Even a single incident can be enough if it’s unwelcome and affects your work environment.
The law also protects against harassment based on gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy. If someone is treating you differently because of your sex or making your workplace hostile through sexual conduct, that’s likely harassment under New York law.
How much can I recover in a sexual harassment case?
Sexual harassment settlements and verdicts in New York can range from thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the severity of the harassment and its impact on your life and career. Compensation typically includes lost wages, future earning capacity, emotional distress, and punitive damages.
Under New York City law, there’s no cap on emotional distress damages, unlike federal law which limits them based on company size. This means you can potentially recover more in a New York City claim than a federal claim.
We’ve recovered millions for harassment victims, including a $1 million settlement for a live-in nanny and our share of an $80 million class action settlement. Every case is different, but our goal is always maximum compensation for the harm you’ve suffered.
Will I get fired for reporting sexual harassment?
Retaliation for reporting sexual harassment is illegal under federal, state, and local law. Your employer cannot fire, demote, or otherwise punish you for making a good faith complaint about harassment, whether internally or to government agencies.
If retaliation does occur, it becomes a separate legal claim with its own damages. In many cases, retaliation claims are easier to prove than the underlying harassment and can result in significant additional compensation.
We help protect clients from retaliation by documenting everything, communicating strategically with employers, and taking immediate legal action if retaliation occurs. Our experience with corporate defense tactics means we know how to spot and stop retaliation before it escalates.
How long do I have to file a sexual harassment claim?
Time limits for sexual harassment claims vary depending on which law you’re filing under. For New York City Human Rights Law claims, you have three years from the last incident of harassment. New York State claims must be filed within three years, while federal EEOC charges must be filed within 300 days.
These deadlines are strict, and waiting too long can bar your claim entirely. Evidence also becomes harder to gather over time, and witnesses’ memories fade. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.
We recommend consulting with an attorney as soon as possible after harassment occurs. Even if you’re not ready to file a formal complaint, we can help you understand your options and preserve important evidence while you decide how to proceed.
Do I need to report harassment to HR first?
You’re not legally required to report harassment to HR before filing a legal claim, especially under New York City law. However, reporting internally can sometimes stop the harassment and create important documentation for your case.
The decision whether to report internally depends on your specific situation. If HR has a history of protecting harassers or if the harasser is in senior management, internal reporting might not be effective and could lead to retaliation.
We can help you evaluate whether internal reporting makes sense in your case and, if so, how to do it strategically to protect your legal rights. Sometimes we’ll communicate with HR on your behalf to ensure the process is handled properly.
What if the harassment happened outside the office?
Sexual harassment doesn’t have to occur in your physical workplace to be illegal. New York law covers harassment that happens anywhere work-related activities occur, including company events, business trips, client meetings, and even virtual interactions.
Courts recognize that the modern workplace extends beyond traditional office boundaries. If the harassment involves coworkers, supervisors, or clients and affects your work environment, it’s likely covered under harassment laws regardless of location.
We’ve handled cases involving harassment at company parties, industry conferences, business dinners, and even social media interactions between colleagues. The key is whether the harassment has a connection to your workplace and affects your job or work environment.
Local Resources
Useful Links
Other Services we provide in Brooklyn Heights