Towson Employment Lawyer

Employment Lawyer Towson, MD

If you are dealing with a problem at work, whether it involves discrimination, unpaid wages, retaliation for speaking up, or a termination that doesn’t sit right, you need an attorney who understands what Maryland law actually requires from employers.

Our Towson, MD employment lawyer at Eric Siegel Law has spent more than 30 years representing employees in workplace disputes across Maryland, the District of Columbia, and beyond. We handle cases involving discrimination, harassment, whistleblower retaliation, wage theft, wrongful termination, and civil rights violations. If your employer has broken the law, we’re here to make them answer for it. Reach out to our firm to discuss your situation.

Why Choose Eric Siegel Law for Employment Law Cases in Towson, MD?

Decades of Employment Litigation Experience

Eric L. Siegel, the firm’s founder, has more than 30 years of courtroom and litigation experience in federal and state employment matters. He started his career as a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, enforcing the very protections he now invokes on behalf of his clients. That federal background gives him a perspective most employment attorneys simply do not have.

Eric earned his J.D. from UCLA School of Law in 1989 and holds a B.A. from Tufts University. He is licensed in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and New York, and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the Fourth and Fifth Circuits, and multiple U.S. District Courts. He holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating, was named to Best Lawyers in 2023, earned a 10.0 Avvo Rating, and was selected for TopVerdict.com’s Top 100 Jury Verdicts in Labor & Employment in 2022.

Our team also includes Andrew Schroeder, Senior Counsel, who brings over 20 years of employment litigation practice. Andrew’s work spans retaliation, discrimination, harassment, and whistleblower cases in industries ranging from banking and pharmaceuticals to government contracting and healthcare. He earned his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and has litigated before the Department of Labor, EEOC, and the Merit Systems Protection Board. And James E. Miller, also Senior Counsel, focuses on wage and hour disputes, discrimination, and retaliation claims. James served as an employment lawyer for the U.S. Army before joining the firm, and earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Maryland Carey School of Law.

Together, our attorneys cover the full scope of employment litigation that employees in Towson and Baltimore County face.

Clients Know What to Expect

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I cannot recommend Eric Siegel highly enough. He is experienced and humble, while being an outstanding Attorney. He was truthful, selfless, relentless, thoughtful, thorough, trustworthy, extremely committed, consistent, and well prepared. His exceptional legal expertise, dedication and attention to detail made a significant difference in my case. Eric was responsive and incredibly sensitive to the challenges and the context I had experienced, and he took the time to listen, to understand the history, the industry, and the client. I cannot say enough about Eric and his determination and skill that caused a positive outcome. I strongly recommend Eric, and on a scale from 1 to 5 I rate him a 10.” – Lou Hutchinson

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Types of Employment Law Cases We Handle in Towson

Workplace disputes come in many forms. Some involve a single incident. Others reflect patterns of unlawful behavior that went unchecked for months or years. Our employment attorneys in Towson, MD handle a broad range of cases for employees across Baltimore County and surrounding areas.

• Workplace discrimination. We represent employees who’ve been discriminated against based on race, sex, age, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or marital status. Maryland’s Fair Employment Practices Act provides protections that in some cases go beyond federal law.
• Retaliation. If you reported discrimination, unsafe conditions, or illegal activity and your employer punished you for it, that retaliation is illegal. We handle cases where employees were fired, demoted, reassigned, or subjected to a hostile environment after speaking up.
• Wage and hour violations. Employers in Towson and across Maryland owe workers proper pay for every hour worked, including overtime at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours beyond 40 per week. We pursue claims for unpaid wages and stolen overtime.
• Wrongful termination. Maryland is an at-will state, but that doesn’t mean your employer can fire you for any reason. Terminations that violate anti-discrimination statutes, breach employment contracts, or punish you for exercising legal rights are actionable.
• Whistleblower claims. Employees who report fraud, safety violations, or other illegal conduct are protected under state and federal law. Our firm has particular depth in whistleblower retaliation and False Claims Act cases.
• Harassment. A hostile work environment based on a protected characteristic such as race, sex, disability, or others violates Maryland and federal law. We help employees who have been subjected to workplace harassment take legal action.

Maryland Legal Requirements for Employment Law

Maryland’s primary anti-discrimination statute is the Fair Employment Practices Act, found in Title 20 of the State Government Article. It prohibits employers with 15 or more employees from discriminating against workers based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or disability. That list of protected categories is broader than what federal Title VII covers, Maryland includes marital status, sexual orientation, and gender identity, among others.

The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights enforces these state protections. Employees can file a discrimination complaint with the MCCR within six months of the alleged violation. The MCCR has a work-sharing agreement with the EEOC, so filing with one agency typically preserves your rights under both state and federal law.

Maryland is an at-will employment state. But the exceptions are significant. An employer cannot fire you for discriminatory reasons, for reporting illegal activity, for asserting wage rights, for refusing to commit a crime, or for fulfilling a legal obligation like jury service. The Maryland Department of Labor outlines these exceptions on its website.

On the wage side, Maryland’s minimum wage is $15.00 per hour as of 2025. Overtime must be paid at 1.5 times the regular rate for all hours over 40 in a workweek. Employers who withhold wages without a legitimate dispute can be held liable for up to three times the unpaid amount under the Maryland Wage Payment and Collection Law.

Important Aspects of a Towson Employment Law Case

Identifying the Legal Violation

Not every unfair workplace situation rises to the level of a legal claim. But many do, and the line can be hard to see without an attorney. We evaluate whether your situation involves a violation of a specific statute, a breach of contract, or conduct that offends Maryland public policy. Some clients come to us with clear-cut retaliation. Others bring a collection of incidents that, taken together, form a pattern of discrimination the law prohibits.

Preserving Evidence Early

Employment cases rise and fall on documentation. Emails, performance reviews, text messages from supervisors, pay stubs, company policies, all of it matters. And the sooner you start preserving it, the better. Employers have been known to alter records, delete emails, or suddenly revise personnel files once a complaint surfaces. We advise clients on how to gather evidence safely and legally from the very first consultation.

Understanding the Administrative Process

Most employment discrimination claims require you to file an administrative charge before you can sue in court. In Maryland, that means a complaint with the MCCR, the EEOC, or both. There are strict deadlines of six months for the MCCR, 300 days for the EEOC when a state agency is involved. Missing these deadlines can bar your claim entirely.

Damages Available in Maryland Employment Cases

What you can recover depends on the type of case. Discrimination and retaliation claims can include back pay, front pay, compensatory damages for emotional distress, and in some instances punitive damages. Wage claims can yield up to treble damages plus attorney’s fees. Some claims allow for reinstatement to your former position. Our employment lawyers in Towson will assess the full scope of potential recovery based on the specific facts of your case.

The Reality of At-Will Employment

Many employers in Towson tell workers, “Maryland is an at-will state, so we can fire you whenever we want.” That’s only half the story. At-will employment has real limits. If your termination was connected to your race, age, disability, gender, or to a protected activity like filing a complaint or blowing the whistle, the at-will doctrine does not shield your employer. That is exactly where a wrongful termination claim begins.

Employer Retaliation After a Complaint

Filing a complaint internally or with a government agency should not cost you your job. But it happens. Maryland law and federal statutes like Title VII, the ADA, and the FLSA all prohibit retaliation against employees who assert their rights. If your employer fired you, cut your hours, or made your work life unbearable after you raised a concern, that conduct is separately actionable. We take these cases seriously.

Contact Eric Siegel Law

If you are facing a workplace dispute in Towson, MD, the first step is understanding whether the law protects you and what your options are.

Eric Siegel Law represents employees throughout Towson, Baltimore County, and the greater Maryland area. Contact us to schedule a consultation. We’ll give you an honest assessment of where your case stands and what it would take to move forward.

Employment Law Statistics in Towson, MD

Numbers give useful context. The Baltimore-Columbia-Towson region, which includes Towson and the rest of Baltimore County, has a civilian labor force of roughly 1.5 million people, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Unfortunately, discrimination remains common nationwide. In fiscal year 2022, workers filed 73,485 charges of workplace discrimination with the EEOC, and the agency recovered more than $381 million for employees that year. Wage violations are widespread too. When workers in Towson, MD come to our office, their situation usually reflects one of these larger patterns, and our employment attorneys can tell you whether the law was actually broken.

Mistakes That Can Damage Your Towson, MD Employment Claim

Strong employment claims get lost all the time, and usually not because the underlying wrong was not real. They fall apart because of avoidable missteps in the weeks after something happens at work. These are the ones our Towson employment lawyers see most often.

• Waiting too long to act. Employment claims come with deadlines, and some are short. A federal wage claim generally has to be brought within two years, or three if the violation was willful. Discrimination charges run on even tighter clocks. If you miss the deadline, a strong case can disappear before anyone reviews it.
• Quitting before you get advice. Walking out can feel right in the moment, and it can also cost you. Resigning may limit your back pay and complicate a wrongful termination litigation claim. Talk to a lawyer first if you can.
• Failing to write things down. Memory fades and stories shift over time. Keep a dated record of what happened, who said it, and when. Learning how to document wage violations or discriminatory comments early gives your attorney something concrete to work with later.
• Oversharing online. Venting on social media hands your employer’s lawyers free material, and they will use it. Assume anything you post can be read back to you in a deposition.
• Recording the wrong way. People often try to gather proof by recording conversations, and Maryland’s consent rules make that risky. Before you hit record, understand whether it is legal to record your boss in this state.
• Signing without reading. Severance agreements, releases, and performance improvement plans can waive rights you did not know you had. Read every line, and have someone review it before you sign anything.
• Ignoring the pattern. One rude comment rarely wins a case on its own. Courts look for patterns, and pattern evidence across time and coworkers often separates a real claim from a complaint.

Towson, MD Employment Lawyer FAQs

When should I talk to an employment lawyer in Towson, MD?

You should reach out sooner than most people think. If you have been fired, demoted, harassed, or shorted on pay and something feels off, that is the time to see an employment lawyer. Early advice protects deadlines and evidence. We review the facts, tell you honestly whether you have a claim, and explain your options. There is no advantage to waiting until a filing deadline is almost gone.

How long do I have to file a claim?

It depends on the type of claim. Federal wage claims carry a two-year statute of limitations, extended to three years when the violation was willful. Discrimination charges run on much shorter administrative clocks, measured in months rather than years. Because the deadlines differ and start on different dates, we confirm the exact cutoff for your situation before we do anything else.

Can I be fired for no reason in Maryland?

Maryland follows at-will employment, so an employer can end the relationship for many reasons, or none at all. At-will has real limits, though. You cannot be fired for a discriminatory reason, for reporting illegal conduct, or for asserting your legal rights. Whether your termination was lawful, or whether you were unlawfully fired for no reason that the law protects against, is something we can assess.

What can I recover if I win?

Recovery varies by case. Employees often recover back pay for lost wages, and sometimes front pay for future losses. Discrimination and retaliation claims can add compensation for emotional harm. Wage cases can include additional damages beyond the unpaid amount. We look at the specific facts and give you a realistic picture of what recovery might look like, rather than an inflated promise.

What if my employer withholds my final pay?

Your employer generally owes you every wage you earned, including your final paycheck and, in many cases, unused benefits. When an employer withholds pay without a genuine dispute, Maryland law provides real remedies. Save your pay stubs, hours records, and any written pay policies, then let our attorneys review whether the withholding was lawful.

Do I have to report harassment to HR first?

Not always, but internal reporting can matter. Some claims require you to give the employer a chance to fix the problem, and a documented report can strengthen your position. Our attorneys handle harassment cases regularly and can tell you whether to report internally, and how to do it in a way that protects you.

What happens during a workplace investigation?

If your employer opens an investigation, what you say can affect both your job and any future claim. You have rights during workplace investigations, including the right to be careful about what you admit or sign. We advise clients on how to respond honestly while protecting themselves, especially when the investigation seems aimed at building a case against them.

Is unpaid overtime worth pursuing?

Often, yes. Overtime adds up faster than people expect, especially over months or years. If your employer misclassified you or failed to pay time and a half, recovering unpaid overtime can mean a meaningful sum. Our Towson wage and hour attorneys handle these claims regularly, including ones involving off-the-clock work and improper deductions.

What is the difference between at-will and wrongful termination?

At-will means either side can end the job for most reasons. Wrongful termination means the firing broke the law. The gap between at-will work and an unlawful firing is where most cases live. If your termination followed a complaint, a protected activity, or lined up with a protected trait, it may be actionable.

How do I prepare for my first meeting with a lawyer?

Bring what you have. Offer letters, contracts, pay stubs, emails, texts, performance reviews, and a written timeline all help. If you are getting ready to prepare for a lawsuit, organized records shorten the process and sharpen the analysis. Do not worry if your file is incomplete. Our employment attorneys in Towson, MD can work with what you bring and tell you what else to gather.

Local Information for Towson, MD Employment Cases

Towson, MD Courts and Employment Agencies

Towson is the seat of Baltimore County, and it is where much of the local machinery for employment disputes sits. State employment lawsuits for county residents are generally filed in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County on Bosley Avenue in Towson. Claims arising under federal law, such as Title VII or federal wage cases, are filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland in Baltimore. Before a lawsuit, many discrimination cases begin with a charge to the EEOC’s Baltimore office, and unpaid wage complaints often start with the Maryland Department of Labor. Knowing which door to knock on first can save you months.

What Are Important Local Resources for Towson, MD Employment Law?

If you are dealing with a workplace problem in Towson, MD, a handful of public agencies and courts handle the issues that come up most in employment law. The offices below are a reasonable starting point.

• EEOC Baltimore Field Office, 1-800-669-4000. Takes federal charges of workplace discrimination, harassment, and retaliation for workers across Maryland.
• Wage and Hour Division, 1-866-487-9243. The U.S. Department of Labor office that enforces federal minimum wage and overtime rules and investigates unpaid wage complaints.
• Maryland Department of Labor, 410-767-2357. Its Employment Standards Service reviews state wage claims for workers who were not paid what they are owed.
• U.S. District Court, 410-962-2600. The District of Maryland courthouse in Baltimore, where federal employment lawsuits are filed and heard.
• Baltimore County Circuit Court, 410-887-2601. The Towson courthouse that handles state civil cases, including many employment matters, for Baltimore County.

Disclaimer: We provide these resources for general information only. We do not endorse, and are not affiliated with, any of these agencies or offices, and listing them here is not a recommendation of any kind.

About Eric Siegel Law

Eric Siegel Law is led by founding attorney Eric L. Siegel, who represents workers and never the companies on the other side of a workplace dispute. Early in his career, before decades of trial work, he spent time with a nonprofit that helped military veterans fight wrongful denials of their disability benefits, an early sign of the client-first approach we still bring to employment cases today. When you hire our Towson employment attorneys, Eric is personally involved in the matter, not just a name on the letterhead.

What Our Clients Say

★★★★★

“Eric was an excellent advocate for me in getting my situation resolved. He was clear, direct, did not sugar coat, but worked zealously to achieve an optimal result–and he did just that. If anyone is ever facing an employment-related case, I cannot recommend Eric and his team highly enough. Thank you Eric!” – Raymond Spencer

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Contact Eric Siegel Law

If a workplace problem in Towson, MD is keeping you up at night, the next step is a straightforward conversation about where you stand. Our Towson employment lawyers will listen to what happened, walk through your options, and give you an honest read on whether the law supports a claim. Someone answers our phones around the clock, so you are not left waiting for business hours to get moving. Contact us to schedule a consultation, and we will take it from there.