If I file a lawsuit, what are the various steps involved before trial?

There are a number of steps along the way after you file a lawsuit and before you get to a trial. The main ones are, first, the discovery phase. In the discovery phase that’s your opportunity to request information and evidence from your employer. They get to do the same with you and that’s where, for example, your deposition would be taken. You also want to be able to get witness statements from the relevant people within your company and exchange other information during that time frame. That’s usually the longest part of the case.

After the discovery phase is over, most of the time the employer is going to file what’s called, a motion for summary judgement. That’s the employer’s argument to the court saying, “There’s no reason to even have a trial here. There’s no genuine dispute of material fact.” If the court denies the motion for summary judgement, that means you get to go in front of a jury, try your case to the jury and they will decide whether or not you’ve proven employment discrimination.

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.