The best employment lawyers for employees in NYC in 2026 are Outten & Golden, one of the largest firms representing only workers, Wigdor LLP for high-profile discrimination and harassment cases, Vladeck, Raskin & Clark for individual employment disputes and executive negotiations, and Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight for class actions.
A large firm that represents only employees — individuals and classes.
Outten & Golden is one of the largest law firms in the US devoted to representing workers, handling individual cases, executive negotiations and large class actions on discrimination, harassment, retaliation and unpaid wages.
It has a large New York office.
Good to know: It also advises executives on employment contracts and severance packages.
Litigators known for high-profile discrimination and harassment cases.
Wigdor LLP is a New York litigation firm known for representing employees in prominent discrimination and harassment cases against major companies and public figures.
It is a firm for disputes likely to end up in court.
Good to know: Best suited to serious litigation rather than routine advice.
A respected boutique for individual employment disputes and negotiations.
Vladeck, Raskin & Clark is a long-established New York employment boutique representing employees in discrimination, whistleblower and contract disputes, and negotiating employment and separation agreements.
It has a strong reputation among New York employment lawyers.
Good to know: Good for negotiating a severance or executive agreement.
A national civil rights firm with major employment class actions.
Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight is a national plaintiffs' firm with a New York office, known for employment class actions, pay equity cases and civil rights litigation.
It suits group claims against large employers.
Good to know: Consider it for pay-equity or group discrimination claims.
New York City's Human Rights Law is one of the broadest anti-discrimination laws in the country, covering more protected categories than federal law and applying to employers with four or more employees. New York State also has strong wage, harassment and retaliation protections.
Many employee-side lawyers take discrimination and wage cases on a contingency basis — a percentage of any recovery — while severance negotiations and executive contracts are often billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask at the first consultation.
Yes, and they vary by claim and law — some federal deadlines are as short as 300 days. Speak to a lawyer promptly if you think you have a claim.