Key Takeaways

  • When you need one: You need a wrongful termination lawyer if you were fired for discriminatory reasons (race, gender, age, disability, religion, national origin, pregnancy), for reporting harassment or illegal activity (whistleblower retaliation), in violation of an employment contract or company policy, or in circumstances that breach public policy in your state.
  • Typical fees: Most wrongful termination attorneys work on contingency (33-40% of recovery) for discrimination and retaliation claims, meaning no upfront cost. Some charge hourly ($250-$500+) for non-contingency matters. Federal and state statutes often provide for attorney fee-shifting where the employer pays your fees if you win.

Find a Wrongful Termination Lawyer

Select your state to see cost expectations, what to look for, and how to connect with a wrongful termination attorney.

State Average Fees
Alabama Wrongful termination attorneys in Alabama commonly handle cases on 30-40% contingency, meaning no upfront cost. Hourly rates are $175-$350 when contingency doesn't apply. Free consultations are widely available, and Alabama statutes often provide for attorney fee-shifting in successful cases.
Alaska In Alaska, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
Arizona In Arizona, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
Arkansas Wrongful termination attorneys in Arkansas commonly handle cases on 30-40% contingency, meaning no upfront cost. Hourly rates are $175-$350 when contingency doesn't apply. Free consultations are widely available, and Arkansas statutes often provide for attorney fee-shifting in successful cases.
California Wrongful termination attorneys in California typically take cases on 33-40% contingency, so you pay nothing up front. Hourly rates when used run $350-$600+. Many federal and California statutes include fee-shifting, meaning the employer pays your legal fees if you win. Free consultations are standard for employee-side termination claims.
Colorado Wrongful termination attorneys in Colorado typically take cases on 33-40% contingency, so you pay nothing up front. Hourly rates when used run $350-$600+. Many federal and Colorado statutes include fee-shifting, meaning the employer pays your legal fees if you win. Free consultations are standard for employee-side termination claims.
Connecticut Wrongful termination attorneys in Connecticut typically take cases on 33-40% contingency, so you pay nothing up front. Hourly rates when used run $350-$600+. Many federal and Connecticut statutes include fee-shifting, meaning the employer pays your legal fees if you win. Free consultations are standard for employee-side termination claims.
Delaware In Delaware, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
District of Columbia Wrongful termination attorneys in District of Columbia typically take cases on 33-40% contingency, so you pay nothing up front. Hourly rates when used run $350-$600+. Many federal and District of Columbia statutes include fee-shifting, meaning the employer pays your legal fees if you win. Free consultations are standard for employee-side termination claims.
Florida In Florida, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
Georgia In Georgia, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
Hawaii Wrongful termination attorneys in Hawaii typically take cases on 33-40% contingency, so you pay nothing up front. Hourly rates when used run $350-$600+. Many federal and Hawaii statutes include fee-shifting, meaning the employer pays your legal fees if you win. Free consultations are standard for employee-side termination claims.
Idaho Wrongful termination attorneys in Idaho commonly handle cases on 30-40% contingency, meaning no upfront cost. Hourly rates are $175-$350 when contingency doesn't apply. Free consultations are widely available, and Idaho statutes often provide for attorney fee-shifting in successful cases.
Illinois Wrongful termination attorneys in Illinois typically take cases on 33-40% contingency, so you pay nothing up front. Hourly rates when used run $350-$600+. Many federal and Illinois statutes include fee-shifting, meaning the employer pays your legal fees if you win. Free consultations are standard for employee-side termination claims.
Indiana In Indiana, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
Iowa Wrongful termination attorneys in Iowa commonly handle cases on 30-40% contingency, meaning no upfront cost. Hourly rates are $175-$350 when contingency doesn't apply. Free consultations are widely available, and Iowa statutes often provide for attorney fee-shifting in successful cases.
Kansas Wrongful termination attorneys in Kansas commonly handle cases on 30-40% contingency, meaning no upfront cost. Hourly rates are $175-$350 when contingency doesn't apply. Free consultations are widely available, and Kansas statutes often provide for attorney fee-shifting in successful cases.
Kentucky Wrongful termination attorneys in Kentucky commonly handle cases on 30-40% contingency, meaning no upfront cost. Hourly rates are $175-$350 when contingency doesn't apply. Free consultations are widely available, and Kentucky statutes often provide for attorney fee-shifting in successful cases.
Louisiana In Louisiana, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
Maine Wrongful termination attorneys in Maine commonly handle cases on 30-40% contingency, meaning no upfront cost. Hourly rates are $175-$350 when contingency doesn't apply. Free consultations are widely available, and Maine statutes often provide for attorney fee-shifting in successful cases.
Maryland In Maryland, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
Massachusetts Wrongful termination attorneys in Massachusetts typically take cases on 33-40% contingency, so you pay nothing up front. Hourly rates when used run $350-$600+. Many federal and Massachusetts statutes include fee-shifting, meaning the employer pays your legal fees if you win. Free consultations are standard for employee-side termination claims.
Michigan In Michigan, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
Minnesota In Minnesota, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
Mississippi Wrongful termination attorneys in Mississippi commonly handle cases on 30-40% contingency, meaning no upfront cost. Hourly rates are $175-$350 when contingency doesn't apply. Free consultations are widely available, and Mississippi statutes often provide for attorney fee-shifting in successful cases.
Missouri In Missouri, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
Montana Wrongful termination attorneys in Montana commonly handle cases on 30-40% contingency, meaning no upfront cost. Hourly rates are $175-$350 when contingency doesn't apply. Free consultations are widely available, and Montana statutes often provide for attorney fee-shifting in successful cases.
Nebraska Wrongful termination attorneys in Nebraska commonly handle cases on 30-40% contingency, meaning no upfront cost. Hourly rates are $175-$350 when contingency doesn't apply. Free consultations are widely available, and Nebraska statutes often provide for attorney fee-shifting in successful cases.
Nevada In Nevada, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
New Hampshire In New Hampshire, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
New Jersey Wrongful termination attorneys in New Jersey typically take cases on 33-40% contingency, so you pay nothing up front. Hourly rates when used run $350-$600+. Many federal and New Jersey statutes include fee-shifting, meaning the employer pays your legal fees if you win. Free consultations are standard for employee-side termination claims.
New Mexico Wrongful termination attorneys in New Mexico commonly handle cases on 30-40% contingency, meaning no upfront cost. Hourly rates are $175-$350 when contingency doesn't apply. Free consultations are widely available, and New Mexico statutes often provide for attorney fee-shifting in successful cases.
New York Wrongful termination attorneys in New York typically take cases on 33-40% contingency, so you pay nothing up front. Hourly rates when used run $350-$600+. Many federal and New York statutes include fee-shifting, meaning the employer pays your legal fees if you win. Free consultations are standard for employee-side termination claims.
North Carolina In North Carolina, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
North Dakota Wrongful termination attorneys in North Dakota commonly handle cases on 30-40% contingency, meaning no upfront cost. Hourly rates are $175-$350 when contingency doesn't apply. Free consultations are widely available, and North Dakota statutes often provide for attorney fee-shifting in successful cases.
Ohio In Ohio, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
Oklahoma Wrongful termination attorneys in Oklahoma commonly handle cases on 30-40% contingency, meaning no upfront cost. Hourly rates are $175-$350 when contingency doesn't apply. Free consultations are widely available, and Oklahoma statutes often provide for attorney fee-shifting in successful cases.
Oregon In Oregon, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
Pennsylvania In Pennsylvania, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
Rhode Island In Rhode Island, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
South Carolina In South Carolina, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
South Dakota Wrongful termination attorneys in South Dakota commonly handle cases on 30-40% contingency, meaning no upfront cost. Hourly rates are $175-$350 when contingency doesn't apply. Free consultations are widely available, and South Dakota statutes often provide for attorney fee-shifting in successful cases.
Tennessee In Tennessee, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
Texas In Texas, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
Utah In Utah, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
Vermont In Vermont, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
Virginia In Virginia, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
Washington Wrongful termination attorneys in Washington typically take cases on 33-40% contingency, so you pay nothing up front. Hourly rates when used run $350-$600+. Many federal and Washington statutes include fee-shifting, meaning the employer pays your legal fees if you win. Free consultations are standard for employee-side termination claims.
West Virginia Wrongful termination attorneys in West Virginia commonly handle cases on 30-40% contingency, meaning no upfront cost. Hourly rates are $175-$350 when contingency doesn't apply. Free consultations are widely available, and West Virginia statutes often provide for attorney fee-shifting in successful cases.
Wisconsin In Wisconsin, wrongful termination lawyers generally charge 33-40% on contingency for discrimination and retaliation claims. Hourly rates for non-contingency work are $250-$450. Most offer free initial consultations and work fee-shifting statutes into their case strategy so the employer bears attorney costs if you prevail.
Wyoming Wrongful termination attorneys in Wyoming commonly handle cases on 30-40% contingency, meaning no upfront cost. Hourly rates are $175-$350 when contingency doesn't apply. Free consultations are widely available, and Wyoming statutes often provide for attorney fee-shifting in successful cases.