Sexual Harassment Lawyer in Morningside Heights, NY
Justice When Your Workplace Becomes Hostile
Hear from Our Customers
NYC Sexual Harassment Attorney Results
When workplace harassment ends, you get your life back. No more dreading Monday mornings or walking on eggshells around your supervisor. No more sleepless nights wondering if speaking up will cost you your job.
You’ll have financial compensation for the wages you lost and the emotional trauma you endured. Your employer will be held accountable, and real changes will be implemented to protect other employees. Most importantly, you’ll have your dignity restored and the peace of mind that comes with justice.
The relief is immediate once you have an experienced advocate fighting for your rights. You’re not alone anymore, and you’re not powerless.
Morningside Heights Employment Law Firm
We bring the same aggressive advocacy that Fortune 500 companies receive to individual employees facing harassment. John Howley spent 20 years as a partner at a major corporate law firm, representing companies like Pfizer, Citibank, and Sony in their most important cases, including arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Now he uses that experience exclusively for employees who need that same level of sophisticated legal representation. We have recovered over $1 billion for clients, including an $80 million employment discrimination class action settlement.
In Morningside Heights and throughout New York City, employees have stronger protections than most states. The NYC Human Rights Law provides broader coverage and longer filing deadlines than federal law, giving victims more opportunities for justice.
Sexual Harassment Case Process NYC
First, we meet personally to discuss your situation in complete confidentiality. John Howley handles this consultation himself, not a junior associate. We’ll evaluate your case and explain your rights under federal, state, and local laws.
If you have a strong case, we’ll begin documenting evidence and building your claim. This might involve filing with the EEOC, New York State Division of Human Rights, or NYC Commission on Human Rights, depending on your specific situation and employer.
Throughout the process, we handle all legal complexities while you focus on your wellbeing and career. We work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win. Most cases settle before trial, but we’re fully prepared to take your case to court if necessary.
Ready to get started?
NYC Sexual Misconduct Legal Services
We handle all forms of workplace sexual harassment, including quid pro quo cases where job benefits are tied to sexual demands, and hostile work environment claims involving ongoing inappropriate conduct. Our representation covers sexual misconduct, unwanted advances, discriminatory comments, and retaliation for reporting harassment.
In New York City, you have up to three years to file harassment claims under the NYC Human Rights Law, significantly longer than the federal deadline. This extended timeframe reflects the city’s commitment to protecting workers from harassment.
We also represent clients in cases involving sexual assault, discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation, and pregnancy discrimination. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, restaurant worker, domestic employee, or corporate executive, you deserve a workplace free from harassment and the legal representation to ensure it.
What qualifies as sexual harassment under New York law?
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 comments, or requests for sexual favors, but also includes displaying sexually explicit materials, making jokes of a sexual nature, or creating an intimidating atmosphere based on your sex or gender.
Under New York City law, the standard is broader than federal law. Even conduct that might not seem “severe” can qualify if it’s unwelcome and affects your work. You don’t need to prove the harassment was frequent or extreme – even isolated incidents can be actionable if they’re serious enough.
The key is that the conduct must be unwelcome and based on your sex, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. If you’ve told someone their behavior is inappropriate and it continues, that strengthens your case significantly.
How long do I have to file a sexual harassment claim in NYC?
In New York City, you have three years to file a harassment claim under the NYC Human Rights Law, which is much longer than federal deadlines. For federal claims through the EEOC, you typically have 300 days, and for New York State claims, you have one year.
These different deadlines can be confusing, which is why it’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Missing a deadline can permanently bar your claim, regardless of how strong your case is. We can determine which laws apply to your situation and ensure all filings are made on time.
The clock typically starts running from the last incident of harassment, but there are exceptions for continuing violations. Don’t wait to get legal advice – even if you’re not sure whether you want to pursue a claim, understanding your timeline is crucial.
What is quid pro quo sexual harassment?
Quid pro quo harassment occurs when employment benefits or job security are tied to sexual demands. This might involve a supervisor promising a promotion in exchange for sexual favors, threatening termination for refusing advances, or conditioning work assignments on sexual compliance.
Unlike hostile work environment cases, quid pro quo harassment can be established with even a single incident if it involves someone with authority over your employment. The key elements are that someone in a position of power made unwelcome sexual demands and tied your job or advancement to your response to those demands.
Examples include being told you’ll get better shifts if you go on a date with your manager, being threatened with firing for not tolerating inappropriate touching, or having your performance review affected by your refusal to engage in sexual conduct. This type of harassment is particularly serious because it directly exploits the power imbalance in employment relationships.
Will I face retaliation for filing a sexual harassment complaint?
Retaliation for reporting sexual harassment is illegal under federal, state, and local laws. Your employer cannot fire, demote, reduce your hours, or otherwise punish you for filing a complaint in good faith. This protection applies whether you report internally to HR or file with government agencies.
However, retaliation does unfortunately occur, which is why having legal representation is important. If you do face retaliation, that becomes a separate legal claim with its own damages. We can help protect you by documenting your complaint properly and monitoring your employer’s response.
The law also protects you from retaliation for participating in someone else’s harassment investigation or for opposing discriminatory practices. Even if your harassment claim isn’t ultimately successful, retaliation against you for making the complaint in good faith is still illegal and actionable.
How much does it cost to hire a sexual harassment lawyer?
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. This allows you to pursue justice without worrying about upfront legal costs while you’re already dealing with the financial stress that harassment often creates.
If we’re successful, our fee comes from the settlement or award, not from your pocket. Employment law cases often include attorney fee provisions, meaning the employer may be required to pay your legal costs in addition to any damages you receive.
We provide free consultations to evaluate your case and explain your options. There’s no risk in speaking with us about your situation, and we’ll be honest about whether you have a viable claim. Our goal is to ensure that financial concerns don’t prevent you from seeking the justice you deserve.
What evidence do I need for a sexual harassment case?
The most important evidence is your own detailed account of what happened, including dates, times, locations, and witnesses. Start documenting incidents immediately, including how the harassment made you feel and how it affected your work performance or attendance.
Written evidence is particularly powerful – save any inappropriate emails, text messages, or notes. If you reported the harassment internally, keep copies of your complaints and any responses from HR or management. Witness statements from coworkers who saw the harassment or noticed changes in your behavior can also be crucial.
Don’t worry if you don’t have “perfect” evidence. Many harassment cases rely primarily on testimony, and experienced attorneys know how to build strong cases even when documentation is limited. The key is to preserve whatever evidence you do have and avoid deleting anything that might be relevant, even if it seems minor.
Local Resources
Useful Links
Other Services we provide in Morningside Heights