Sexual Harassment Attorney in Columbia Street Waterfront District
Get Justice For Workplace Sexual Harassment
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Columbia Street Sexual Harassment Cases
You shouldn’t have to choose between your paycheck and your self-respect. When workplace sexual harassment turns your job into a nightmare, we step in to end it.
Our track record speaks for itself. We’ve secured millions in settlements for harassment victims across New York, including major victories that made headlines and changed workplaces for the better.
After we handle your case, you’ll have the financial security to move forward and the satisfaction of knowing your harasser can’t do this to anyone else. That’s what real justice looks like.
Experienced Sexual Misconduct Attorney Brooklyn
John Howley has spent three decades taking on the cases other attorneys won’t touch. He’s won an $80 million discrimination class action, secured million-dollar settlements for harassment victims, and earned recognition from the American College of Trial Lawyers.
The Columbia Street Waterfront District, NY community knows what it means to fight back against powerful forces—this neighborhood rebuilt itself after being cut off by highway construction. We bring that same resilience to every sexual harassment case.
We’re not the biggest firm in New York, but we give every client the attention and aggressive advocacy they deserve.
Sexual Harassment Attorney Process NY
First, we listen. You’ll meet directly with John Howley to discuss what happened, not a paralegal or junior associate. We understand that talking about harassment is difficult, so we create a safe space where you can tell your story.
Next, we investigate thoroughly. We gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a comprehensive case that proves exactly what your employer allowed to happen. We know how to find the digital trails, documentation, and patterns that make harassment cases unwinnable for the other side.
Finally, we fight for maximum compensation. Whether that means negotiating a settlement that compensates you fairly or taking your case to trial, we’re prepared to go the distance. You pay nothing unless we win—that’s our commitment to you.
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Quid Pro Quo Attorney Columbia Street
Sexual harassment takes many forms, and we’ve seen them all. Quid pro quo cases where promotions or job security depend on sexual favors. Hostile work environments filled with inappropriate comments, touching, or explicit materials. Sexual assault attorney services for more serious physical violations. Retaliation against employees who speak up.
In the Columbia Street Waterfront District, NY, we’ve represented everyone from dockworkers facing crude harassment to young professionals dealing with predatory supervisors. The diverse community here includes many industries, and harassment happens in all of them.
New York’s laws are among the strongest in the country for harassment victims. You can file directly in court without going through the EEOC first, and you don’t have to prove the harassment was “severe and pervasive”—just that you were treated differently because of your gender.
What counts as sexual harassment under New York law?
New York law defines sexual harassment broadly as any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that affects your employment. This includes obvious violations like unwanted touching, sexual propositions, or explicit comments about your body.
It also covers subtler forms like gender-based insults, sexually explicit jokes or images in the workplace, or being treated differently because you rejected someone’s advances. Under New York City’s Human Rights Law, you only need to show you were treated less favorably than others—the harassment doesn’t have to be “severe and pervasive” like under federal law.
The key is that the conduct was unwelcome and happened because of your sex or gender. If you’re unsure whether what you experienced qualifies, call us for a free consultation to discuss your specific situation.
How much compensation can I expect from my harassment case?
Every case is different, but we’ve secured settlements ranging from tens of thousands to millions of dollars depending on the severity of harassment, your lost wages, and emotional damages. The value depends on several measurable factors.
Economic damages include lost wages, missed promotions, and benefits you would have received. If harassment forced you to quit or get fired, we calculate what your career trajectory would have been. We also consider any therapy costs or medical expenses related to the harassment.
Non-economic damages cover emotional distress, humiliation, and pain and suffering. In cases with particularly egregious conduct or where the employer ignored obvious red flags, punitive damages may apply. We’ve won cases where the total recovery was several times the victim’s annual salary.
What if I signed a non-disclosure agreement about the harassment?
New York recently passed laws significantly limiting employers’ ability to enforce NDAs in sexual harassment cases. Many agreements that seemed ironclad a few years ago are now unenforceable, especially if they were signed as a condition of employment or settlement.
The law recognizes that NDAs often protect harassers and allow patterns of abuse to continue. If you signed an NDA after reporting harassment or as part of a settlement, we can review whether it’s still legally binding under current New York law.
Even if parts of an NDA remain valid, there are usually exceptions that allow you to speak with law enforcement, government agencies, and attorneys about potential legal claims. Don’t let an old agreement stop you from seeking justice—the law has changed significantly in your favor.
Will filing a harassment complaint damage my career prospects?
Retaliation against employees who report sexual harassment is illegal under federal, state, and local law. If your employer fires, demotes, or otherwise punishes you for speaking up, that’s a separate legal violation that can significantly increase your total damages.
We understand your concern about being labeled a “troublemaker.” Our experience shows that employers who engage in harassment often have multiple victims, and your complaint may protect others while establishing important legal precedents.
We work strategically to protect your interests throughout the entire process. Sometimes that means gathering evidence before filing a formal complaint. Other times we negotiate directly with the employer to resolve the situation confidentially. We’ll discuss the best approach for your specific situation and long-term career goals.
How long do I have to file a sexual harassment lawsuit?
In New York, you generally have three years from the date of harassment to file a lawsuit under state law, and one year under New York City’s Human Rights Law. Federal law requires filing an EEOC charge within 300 days, but New York’s laws are often more favorable for victims anyway.
However, these deadlines can be complicated by various factors. If harassment was ongoing, the statute of limitations might not start running until it stopped. If you were unaware that certain conduct was illegal, different rules may apply.
The most important thing is to act quickly to preserve your rights. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget crucial details, and employers often destroy relevant documents after a certain period. Even if you’re not sure you want to file a lawsuit, consulting with an experienced attorney early helps preserve your options and protect important evidence.
Do you really charge no fees unless you win my case?
That’s absolutely correct—we work exclusively on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you through settlement or trial verdict. This arrangement aligns our interests with yours and ensures you can afford experienced legal representation.
If we take your case and don’t win, you owe us nothing for our time and legal work. The only costs you might be responsible for are certain case expenses like filing fees or expert witness costs, but we discuss these upfront and they’re typically minimal compared to potential recovery.
When we do win, our fee comes as a percentage of your total recovery. This is standard practice in employment law and means we’re motivated to get you the best possible result. We’ll explain the exact terms clearly before you sign anything, so there are no surprises down the road.
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