How do I prove employment discrimination occurred?

Typically, there are two ways in which you can prove an employment discrimination case. The first is with direct evidence. These types of cases are few and far between nowadays, because direct evidence involves, for example, you’ve applied for a promotion, and your boss tells you, “I’m not going to hire you because you’re a woman.” That’s direct evidence in discrimination, which is going to be a very strong case to present before a jury.

The second way to prove employment discrimination is the far more common way, and that is through circumstantial evidence. This involves you showing that you’re a member of a protected class. For example, you’re a woman or a racial minority, that you applied for a promotion and were denied that promotion, and that the reason that your employer gave for why it denied your promotion, is ultimately just a pretext for discrimination. This is the most common way that plaintiffs in employment discrimination lawsuits prove their claim in court.

Maryland Washington DC Virginia Discrimination Attorneys

Hiring a proven and effective advocate is critical to obtaining the maximum recovery in an employment discrimination case.  Eric Bachman, Chair of the Firm’s Discrimination Practice, has substantial experience litigating precedent-setting individual and class action discrimination cases.   His wins include a $100 million settlement in a disparate impact Title VII class action and a $16 million class action settlement against a major grocery chain.   As Special Litigation Counsel in the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice and as lead or co-counsel in numerous jury trials, Bachman is  a litigator ready to fight for you to obtain the relief that you deserve. 

Bachman writes frequently on employment discrimination issues at the Glass Ceiling Discrimination Blog and has been quoted in national media about discrimination cases.   U.S. News and Best Lawyers® have named Zuckerman Law a Tier 1 firm in Litigation – Labor and Employment in the Washington DC metropolitan area.  Contact us today to find out how we can help you.  To schedule a preliminary consultation, click here or call us at (202) 769-1681.