Employment Lawyer
Earning a living can be difficult enough without having to suffer mistreatment or exploitation by your employer.
Harassment, wrongful termination, and discrimination are just some of the violations that can happen. But workers have recourse.
An employment lawyer with Tipp Coburn & Associates in Missoula, MT, can help you collect compensation if your rights have been violated.
What Our Firm Brings to Your Case
As a client of our Missoula, Montana, firm, you can benefit from:
A Track Record of Success
Tipp Coburn & Associates has helped victims of employment law violations collect hundreds of thousands in restitution over the years. Our lawyers stand with workers in all fields and are ready to help you achieve the justice you deserve.
60+ Years in Practice
Since 1959, our law firm has helped Montana residents from all walks of life achieve the best possible outcome in cases of both civil and criminal law. The same qualities that have made us a staple of the Missoula community can help you collect restitution.
An Award-Winning Team
Tipp Coburn & Associates received the "Outstanding Law Firm" award by the Montana Innocence Project. Our attorneys have also been honored by The National Trial Lawyers and The National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys.
If you have suffered discrimination or other violations of your rights, our employment lawyers can help you pursue justice.
Let Us Handle Your Case Request a Complimentary Case Review
You've had to deal with the emotional, financial, and other effects of harassment, wrongful termination, discrimination, or other employment violations. Let us help you get the justice you deserve. Our employment attorneys are equipped to handle various practice areas of employment violation. Call or contact us to request a free case review at our Missoula, MT, office:
(406) 549-5186
We negotiated a settlement in the amount of $285,000 in favor of our client in an employment discrimination case against a multinational corporation.
Protected Classes
Federal law and Montana state law prohibit discrimination against applicants, employees, and former employees based on:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- Sex (including sexual orientation, pregnancy, and gender identity)
- National origin
- Age (40 or older)
- Disability
- Genetic information
- Vaccination status
- Marital status
Types of Employment
Law Violations
Employment law is one of our three practice areas. Our employment lawyers are prepared to stand up for the rights of Montana workers who have suffered violations of their employment rights, including:
Discrimination
Have you been demoted, denied a job, had your wages cut, or otherwise treated unfairly due to your race, color, religion, pregnancy, or other protected classification? There is no litmus test for prejudice, but there are ways that an attorney can present documented behavior on the part of your employer to demonstrate that discrimination was the driving force behind the treatment you have suffered on the job. Our attorneys are prepared to gather the evidence needed to prove a violation of your rights.
Sexual Harassment
You have a right to a workplace free of sexual harassment, including requests, advances, or other conduct that create a hostile, intimidating, or offensive atmosphere. If you have reported instances of sexual harassment on the job to your employer via the human resources department or other means, and no action has taken place to curb the harassment, you need to speak with our law firm. We can begin building your case in order to file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and help you collect the compensation you deserve.
Retaliation for Whistleblowing
If you report misconduct, it is illegal for your employer to demote you, fire you, reduce your wages, or take other measures as a form of retaliation. The Whistleblower Protection Act is in place to help those who suffer unfair treatment as punishment by their employer for speaking up about employment rights violations. Tipp Coburn & Associates stands with those who refuse to turn a blind eye to violations, and will not hesitate to help you take a stand.
Wrongful Termination
If your firing violated terms of a contract, or was based on your age, race, gender, or other class protected under legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, you have grounds for legal action. Our lawyers can investigate the nature of your termination and help you collect maximum compensation for this all-too-common violation of employment laws.
Other Common Violations
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- Denial of Disability Accommodations
- Family Medical Leave Act Violations
- Misclassification as Independent Contractors
- Unpaid Wages or Unpaid Overtime
Book Your Free Case Review
Filing an employment law claim and pursuing restitution is rarely simple. It requires more than an advanced understanding of employment law. You also need to know how to gather the evidence that can support your claim and present it in a way that either compels an employer to settle or convinces a jury to award damages. Meanwhile, you can be certain that your employer will have legal counsel working to disprove your claim.
Don't let your rights be denied. For more than 60 years, the lawyers of Tipp Coburn & Associates in Missoula, Montana, have helped people like you achieve justice and maintain their livelihood in the wake of violated employment rights. Email our firm today to learn more or call us:
We received a judgment in the amount of $176,261 against a general contractor who refused to pay our client for work completed on a commercial real estate project.
Meet Torrance L. Coburn Our Attorney Specializing in Employment Law
Many of our attorneys are equipped to handle employment law cases, but attorney Torrance L. Coburn primarily focuses on employment law. Torrance has been with Tipp Coburn & Associates PC since 2005 and has helped employees across Missoula and greater Western Montana receive justice for the employment violations they've faced.
Discrimination Is a Common Employment Law Violation
Who Is Protected?
Current Employees
As an active employee, you have a right to expect a harassment-free work environment, wages for overtime hours, accommodations for disabilities, and more.
Applicants
If you are applying for a job, the employer cannot legally deny you a position due to your age, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics.
Former Employees
Just because you are fired or you choose to quit, it does not mean that you forfeit your rights as an employee. You can still file suit for violations occurring during employment.
Whether you applied for employment, are currently employed, willfully quit, or had your employment terminated, our firm can help. Our law firm is proud to include employment law in our practice areas, and we are prepared to defend your rights in pursuit of a settlement or jury award.
We negotiated a settlement in the amount of $80,000 in favor of our client who was sexually harassed in her employment.
Is Your Past Employment
Affecting Your Current Prospects?
Blacklisting Is Prohibited
Whether you were fired or willingly left your past company, the state of Montana does not authorize blacklisting in any form.
Suppose your past employer attempts to keep you from obtaining employment by word, writing, or other means. In that case, you can file an employment violation case with the employment attorneys at our Missoula office.
Employment Law FAQ
Our employment lawyers are here to answer your questions and inform you of your rights. Here are a few common questions our attorneys hear from prospective clients:
Montana is not an at-will employment state. What does that mean?
Montana is the only state in the U.S. that is not at-will. At-will employment means that an employer can terminate an employee for any legal reason at any time (even for no reason at all) without warning. Although the concept of at-will employment does apply in Montana for a probationary period of 12 months, employers must provide a documented reason for termination of employment once that period is over. Our law firm can assess your case to determine if you have suffered wrongful termination.Am I working in a hostile environment?
Workplaces are often stressful. You may work with people you find rude or annoying. You may also have a boss who frequently raises his voice, is short with you, and is generally unpleasant to be around. None of this would qualify as a hostile work environment. However, if your boss frequently uses racial slurs against you or threatens to fire you if you don't perform sexual favors, you are working in a hostile environment and have grounds for legal action.
My employer asked me if I plan to become pregnant. Is that legal?
No. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act forbids employers from asking about plans to become pregnant. In fact, any unfair treatment an employee suffers due to pregnancy or related conditions is illegal. Our Missoula, Montana, firm can help you bring a sex discrimination case against your employer if you have been the victim of any violations of these protections.
Can I afford a lawyer?
You have nothing to lose by consulting one of our attorneys during a complimentary consultation. So a better question to ask might be: Can I afford NOT to hire a lawyer? Considering the financial fallout of wrongful termination and other illegal actions on the part of your employer, we recommend you speak with one of our attorneys as soon as possible. You can schedule an absolutely free consultation with a lawyer who will provide an honest assessment of your case and your likelihood of success in negotiations or court.How long do I have to file a discrimination suit?
You have 180 days to file a discrimination suit in Montana. Consult an attorney as soon as you can if you believe you have suffered discrimination.
