Sexual Harassment Attorney in Greenwich Village
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Greenwich Village Sexual Harassment Cases
When harassment ends, your life changes. You walk into work without fear. Your career moves forward on your terms, not your harasser’s.
That’s what happens when you have the right legal representation. We’ve recovered millions for harassment victims, including an $80 million settlement in a discrimination class action. Our clients get back to focusing on their careers instead of surviving their workplace.
The harassment stops. The retaliation ends. You get compensation for what you’ve endured, and your employer learns that this behavior has real consequences.
Experienced NYC Sexual Misconduct Attorney
The Howley Law Firm brings 20 years of experience representing Fortune 500 companies like Pfizer, Citibank, and Sony to individual harassment cases. We’ve argued in the U.S. Supreme Court and won the Medal for Excellence in Advocacy from the American College of Trial Lawyers.
Now we use that same expertise to fight for employees in Greenwich Village and throughout NYC. We understand that more than your legal rights are at stake—your reputation and career matter too.
Our small firm means you get one-on-one attention from principal attorney John Howley personally. Every case receives our full focus, whether it’s an individual harassment claim or a class action representing hundreds of workers.
Sexual Assault Attorney Legal Process
First, we listen. You tell us what happened without judgment. We evaluate your case and explain your rights under New York’s strong harassment laws, including quid pro quo and hostile work environment claims.
Next, we investigate. We gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build your case. We handle all communication with your employer and their lawyers while protecting you from retaliation.
Then we fight. Whether through negotiation or trial, we pursue maximum compensation for your lost wages, emotional distress, and other damages. We work on contingency—you don’t pay unless we win.
Throughout the process, we protect your reputation and career. If we’re not the right fit for your case, we’ll help you find the best attorney who is.
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NYC Quid Pro Quo Attorney Services
Greenwich Village workers benefit from some of the strongest harassment protections in the country. The NYC Human Rights Law doesn’t require harassment to be “severe or pervasive”—any unwelcome conduct that treats you less well than others can be actionable.
New York’s Stop Sexual Harassment Act expanded protections and increased the statute of limitations to three years. Employers with 15 or more employees must provide annual harassment training. Violators face civil penalties up to $250,000.
We handle all forms of workplace harassment: quid pro quo demands, hostile work environment, sexual assault, and retaliation. Our cases have included healthcare professionals working in Village hospitals, creative professionals in SoHo agencies, restaurant workers in the Village’s dining scene, and employees across every industry in this vibrant neighborhood.
The law is on your side. We make sure you get the full benefit of these protections.
What Qualifies As Sexual Harassment Under New York Law?
Under the NYC Human Rights Law, sexual harassment includes any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature or based on gender that treats you differently than other employees. This is broader than federal law—you don’t need to prove the conduct was “severe or pervasive.”
Examples include unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, inappropriate touching, sexual comments or jokes, displaying sexual materials, and quid pro quo demands where job benefits depend on sexual compliance. Gender-based harassment like offensive remarks about women in general also qualifies.
The key is whether the conduct was unwelcome and affected your work environment. Even subtle or infrequent behaviors can form the basis of a valid claim if they cross the line beyond petty annoyances.
How Much Compensation Can I Recover In A Harassment Case?
Compensation in sexual harassment cases can include back pay, front pay, emotional distress damages, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees. Our firm has recovered millions for harassment victims, including a $1 million settlement for a live-in nanny and multi-million dollar recoveries for corporate employees.
The amount depends on factors like lost wages, career impact, severity of harassment, and your employer’s conduct. Under NYC law, there’s no cap on compensatory or punitive damages. Employers can also face civil penalties up to $250,000.
We work on contingency, so you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. This means we only win when you win, aligning our interests with achieving the best possible outcome for your case.
What Should I Do If I'm Being Sexually Harassed At Work?
Document everything immediately. Write down dates, times, witnesses, and details of each incident. Save emails, texts, or other evidence in your personal files away from work. Don’t delete anything that could support your case.
Report the harassment through your employer’s complaint process if you feel safe doing so, but understand that HR’s job is to protect the company, not you. Consider consulting with an attorney before making any internal complaint to understand how to protect yourself legally.
You can also file complaints with the NYC Commission on Human Rights, New York State Division of Human Rights, or the EEOC. However, speaking with an experienced harassment attorney first can help you navigate these processes more effectively and avoid potential pitfalls that could hurt your case.
Can My Employer Fire Me For Reporting Sexual Harassment?
No. Retaliation for reporting sexual harassment or participating in a harassment investigation is illegal under federal, state, and city law. Your employer cannot fire, demote, reduce your pay, change your schedule, or take any other adverse action against you for opposing harassment.
Retaliation can take many forms beyond termination, including negative performance reviews, exclusion from meetings, increased workload, transfer to less desirable positions, or creating a hostile environment. The NYC Human Rights Law protects you even if you have a good faith belief that harassment occurred, even if you’re ultimately mistaken.
If you experience retaliation, you have a separate legal claim in addition to your harassment case. This can significantly increase your potential compensation and strengthens your overall case against your employer.
How Long Do I Have To File A Sexual Harassment Lawsuit?
Under the NYC Human Rights Law, you have three years from the date of the harassment to file a lawsuit. This is longer than the federal statute of limitations and gives you more time to pursue your case.
However, if you want to file with government agencies first, different deadlines apply. EEOC complaints must be filed within 300 days in New York. State and city agency complaints have their own timeframes.
Don’t wait to seek legal advice. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories fade, and early action often leads to better outcomes. The sooner you consult with an attorney, the more options you’ll have and the stronger your case can be.
What Makes Greenwich Village Harassment Cases Different From Other NYC Areas?
Greenwich Village’s diverse mix of industries—from tech startups and creative agencies to restaurants and retail—creates unique harassment dynamics. The Village’s dense, interconnected professional community means reputation matters enormously, making many victims hesitant to come forward.
The area’s blend of traditional businesses and modern workplaces also means varying levels of harassment awareness and prevention. Some employers have robust policies while others lag behind, creating inconsistent protections for workers.
Our familiarity with Greenwich Village’s business landscape helps us understand the specific challenges you face. We know how to protect your professional reputation while pursuing justice, and we understand the local dynamics that can affect your case strategy and outcome.
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