Sexual Harassment Attorney Hell's Kitchen
Stop Workplace Harassment. Reclaim Your Career.
Hear from Our Customers
NYC Sexual Harassment Lawyer
When sexual harassment derails your career and damages your well-being, you need more than sympathy—you need results. Our clients recover compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, and punitive damages while securing court orders that protect them from future harassment and retaliation.
You’ll work directly with an attorney who has argued in the U.S. Supreme Court and secured an $80 million settlement in a major discrimination case. This isn’t about empty promises or cookie-cutter approaches.
Your case gets the same aggressive, high-quality representation that Fortune 500 companies receive—because that’s exactly what you’re up against.
Hell's Kitchen Employment Attorney
The Howley Law Firm has been fighting for Hell’s Kitchen employees since 1990. John Howley spent 20 years as a partner at one of the country’s largest corporate law firms, representing companies like Pfizer, Citibank, and Sony in their most critical lawsuits.
Now he uses that same expertise to level the playing field for individuals facing workplace harassment. In Hell’s Kitchen’s diverse business environment—from corporate offices to hospitality venues—we understand how harassment manifests differently across industries.
We’re a boutique firm, which means your case receives our full attention. Every client gets direct access to experienced attorneys, not paralegals or junior associates handling the heavy lifting.
Sexual Harassment Case Process
First, we listen. You’ll meet directly with John Howley to discuss what happened, understand your legal options, and develop a strategy that protects both your immediate needs and long-term career prospects.
Next, we investigate and document everything. We know how to gather evidence that courts respect—from electronic communications to witness statements to company policy violations. This isn’t about he-said-she-said situations when you have experienced legal counsel.
Then we fight. Whether negotiating with insurance companies, filing complaints with government agencies, or presenting your case in court, we use every available tool to maximize your compensation and ensure this doesn’t happen to you or others again.
Throughout the entire process, you pay nothing unless we win. Our success depends entirely on your success.
Ready to get started?
Workplace Sexual Harassment Laws NYC
New York has some of the strongest sexual harassment protections in the country. Hell’s Kitchen employees are protected under federal Title VII, New York State Human Rights Law, and New York City Human Rights Law—each offering different advantages and remedies.
You can recover compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, medical expenses, and attorney fees. Courts can also order your employer to promote you, give you back pay, or implement policies preventing future harassment. In particularly egregious cases, punitive damages punish wrongdoers and send a clear message.
Time limits apply to sexual harassment claims—typically one to three years depending on the law under which you file. The restaurant and hospitality industry, prominent in Hell’s Kitchen, sees particularly high rates of harassment, with 90% of female restaurant workers reporting unwanted sexual conduct.
Don’t let fear of retaliation stop you from taking action. Retaliation itself is illegal, and we’ve successfully represented clients who faced additional discrimination after reporting harassment.
What types of behavior constitute sexual harassment in Hell's Kitchen workplaces?
Sexual harassment includes any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that affects your work environment or employment conditions. This covers obvious behaviors like unwanted touching, sexual propositions, or requests for sexual favors in exchange for job benefits.
But it also includes subtler conduct that creates a hostile work environment. Inappropriate comments about your body, sexual jokes, displaying pornographic materials, or even non-sexual conduct targeting you because of your gender can constitute harassment. In Hell’s Kitchen’s diverse work environments—from corporate offices to restaurants to entertainment venues—harassment can take many forms.
Under New York City law, the conduct doesn’t need to be “severe or pervasive” like under federal law. Even isolated incidents can form the basis of a valid claim if the behavior was unwelcome and of a sexual nature.
How much compensation can I recover for sexual harassment in NYC?
Compensation varies significantly based on the severity of harassment, its impact on your career, and the strength of your evidence. However, New York law allows for comprehensive damages that can result in substantial awards.
Economic damages cover lost wages, benefits, and future earning capacity if the harassment damaged your career progression. Non-economic damages compensate for emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and other psychological impacts. Punitive damages may be available to punish particularly egregious conduct.
Attorney fees and costs are often recoverable, meaning the defendant pays your legal expenses if you win. We’ve secured settlements ranging from tens of thousands to millions of dollars depending on the circumstances. Our firm has achieved an $80 million settlement in a major discrimination case and regularly secures six and seven-figure recoveries for harassment victims.
Will I get fired for reporting sexual harassment at my Hell's Kitchen job?
Retaliation for reporting sexual harassment is illegal under federal, state, and local law. Your employer cannot fire, demote, reduce your pay, change your schedule, or otherwise punish you for making a good-faith harassment complaint.
If retaliation occurs, you have additional legal claims beyond the original harassment. Courts take retaliation seriously because it undermines the entire framework of anti-discrimination laws. We’ve successfully represented numerous clients who faced retaliation and recovered substantial damages for both the original harassment and the subsequent punishment.
That said, retaliation does happen despite being illegal. Document everything, keep records on your personal devices (not company equipment), and consult with an experienced attorney before making your complaint. We can advise you on the best approach to minimize retaliation risk while preserving your legal rights.
Do I need to report harassment to HR before filing a lawsuit?
The answer depends on which laws you’re pursuing claims under and your specific circumstances. For federal Title VII claims, you must file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission before going to court, but you don’t necessarily need to use your company’s internal procedures first.
However, reporting to HR or management can strengthen your case by showing you gave the employer an opportunity to address the problem. If they fail to take appropriate action, it demonstrates their liability. Conversely, if you never reported the harassment, the employer might argue they couldn’t fix a problem they didn’t know about.
There are strategic considerations about when and how to make internal complaints. Sometimes it’s better to gather evidence first or consult with an attorney about the best approach. We often advise clients on how to document harassment and make effective complaints that protect their legal rights while maximizing the chances of a positive resolution.
How long do I have to file a sexual harassment claim in New York?
Time limits vary depending on which law you’re filing under, but generally range from one to three years. For federal EEOC complaints, you have 300 days from the last incident of harassment. New York State Human Rights Law allows three years for sexual harassment claims (extended from one year in recent reforms).
New York City Human Rights Law provides three years for harassment claims and is often the most favorable law for plaintiffs. If you’re also pursuing common law tort claims against the individual harasser, those typically have three-year limitations periods as well.
These deadlines are strict, and waiting too long can permanently bar your claims. Evidence also becomes harder to gather as time passes, and witnesses’ memories fade. If you’re experiencing harassment, document everything and consult with an attorney as soon as possible to preserve all your legal options and build the strongest possible case.
What should I do if I'm being sexually harassed at work right now?
Start documenting everything immediately. Keep a detailed log of incidents including dates, times, locations, witnesses, and exactly what was said or done. Save any inappropriate emails, texts, or other communications on your personal devices—never rely on company equipment that could be wiped or accessed by your employer.
If you feel safe doing so, clearly tell the harasser their behavior is unwelcome and must stop. Sometimes this ends the conduct, but often it doesn’t. Either way, document your response and their reaction.
Preserve all evidence before it disappears. Take photos of inappropriate materials, forward work emails to your personal account, and identify potential witnesses who saw or heard the harassment. Most importantly, consult with an experienced sexual harassment attorney before making any formal complaints. We can advise you on the best strategy for your specific situation, help you gather evidence legally, and ensure you don’t inadvertently harm your case by taking the wrong steps.
Local Resources
Useful Links
Other Services we provide in Hell'S Kitchen