If you're thinking about bringing a whistleblower claim against a company, there certainly are no shortage qualified law firms to select from. Having so much at risk, it's important that you locate the best whistleblower lawyer for you. But how do you do it? Keep reading to learn more about your best option.
The Department of Labor (DOL) enforces federal labor laws and protects whistleblowers from employer retaliation. In general, any employee who believes they have been unfairly disadvantaged by their employer can file a complaint with the DOL. The DOL will investigate the complaint and will attempt to reach a fair resolution through negotiation or arbitration. If an employee chooses to represent themselves, they must register with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC).
Most federal labor cases last months and years before reaching a settlement. During this time, you'll be kept busy with phone calls, meetings, negotiating, and submitting paperwork. If you don't want to deal with the stress of representing yourself, there are many other lawyers to choose from who specialize in litigating claims on behalf of whistleblower. Some of these lawyers offer services exclusively to individuals like you, while others work on retainer as a staff to take on cases that come their way. Here are some resources to help you locate the best lawyers for your particular situation:
The National Association of Whistleblowers (NAAW) - Find a local NAAW chapter near you and meet with a legal specialist. The NAAW is the nation's largest national organization dedicated to protecting employees who seek to protect themselves by filing whistle blowing claims or otherwise challenging employer wrongdoing. Find a local office near you to get started. The NAAW has a great website to help you learn more about what you can do as a whistle blower.
Oftentimes, a case could be settled out of court and the former employer never has to face trial. Before hiring a lawyer, check to see if he or she is willing to go to court and try the case on your behalf. Some workers are afraid to go to court for fear of losing their job. If you're afraid of going to court for fear of losing your job, check to see if your potential lawyer is willing to go to court and fight for your rights. A skilled attorney with a successful record for winning cases for whistleblowers will likely be willing to go to court if it means the company loses its appeal and has to pay damages.
The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) - The NAAG is a national professional association of attorneys who are committed to improving justice and protecting the rights of all people. Check to see if your potential attorney is a member of the NAAG. You may also want to ask how many whistleblowers he or she has successfully represented. Many attorneys decide to only work on cases that they are familiar with. However, it's important to hire an attorney who has experience in dealing with the federal government and knowledgeable about the Federal Tort Claim Act. Attorneys with experience working with the government are in the best position to help you hire the right lawyer to fight for your case.
Law firm - Be sure to find a law firm that has experience in handling fraud and other civil frauds. Your best choice of attorneys will have enough experience dealing with different types of frauds to know which ones to focus on. Most law firms also offer free consultation visits so be sure to ask if the firm can give you a free consultation to find out more about your options.
Law Review Articles - Not all law review articles are about whistleblower attorneys. Some articles discuss the best practices of attorneys handling such cases. Be sure to look for articles written by attorneys who have worked on similar cases as yours. If you're not comfortable hiring the first law review article you read, look elsewhere for more detailed information. In addition, you should consider looking for law review articles written by scholars and professors from top research universities.
