Employment Law Attorney in Minnesota

Protecting Employees’ Rights Against Workplace Abuses and Violations

When your job is on the line or your paycheck is not what it should be, it can be hard to know whether what is happening is simply unfair or actually unlawful. Many workers in Minnesota face wage theft, discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, and they are not sure where to turn.

At Nichols Kaster PLLP, we represent people in these situations every day. For more than 50 years, our firm has focused on standing up for individuals who have been wronged by powerful employers and institutions. We work to hold companies accountable, seek fair treatment, and help workers understand and protect their rights.

If you are questioning what happened at work or worrying about what could happen next, you do not have to sort it out alone. Our attorneys are here to listen, explain your options, and provide guidance grounded in decades of employment and labor experience.

Concerned about your workplace rights? Talk with a skilled employment law lawyer to understand your options and schedule a consultation online or call (877) 344-4628.

Why Workers Turn To Our Firm

Choosing a lawyer for a workplace dispute is not only about legal knowledge. It is about knowing that your legal team is firmly on your side when you are facing an employer, a large corporation, or a government institution. At Nichols Kaster PLLP, our focus is on representing individuals, not defending companies that misuse their power.

For more than half a century, we have taken on cases that often resemble a David versus Goliath battle. Our attorneys have litigated against large corporations and institutional defendants in employment, civil rights, and consumer cases. We use substantial resources and modern technology to investigate claims and challenge those who violate the law, which helps level the playing field for workers across the state.

Our firm is nationally recognized for this work. We have received “First Tier” rankings from U.S. News & World Report and honors from organizations such as ALM and the National Trial Lawyers. These recognitions reflect years of work on behalf of people who needed a strong advocate when they were facing serious workplace harm.

We also care deeply about the values that bring many workers to us. Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and pro bono service is part of our day-to-day work. When you contact us, you can expect a team that takes your concerns seriously and views your case as part of a broader effort to promote fairness and accountability.

Common Minnesota Workplace Rights Violations

Workers often reach out to us because something feels wrong, but they are not yet sure how to describe it. Understanding common types of workplace violations can help you see whether your experience may involve legal protections under Minnesota or federal law.

Wage Theft & Pay Violations

One frequent issue is wage theft or other pay-related violations. This can include not paying overtime when you regularly work more than forty hours in a week, requiring you to work off the clock, misclassifying you as exempt from overtime, or failing to pay all wages, commissions, or tips you have earned. Sometimes this happens through clear instructions from management, and other times through subtle pressure or incomplete information about your rights.

Discrimination & Harassment

Discrimination and harassment are also common reasons employees contact an employment lawyer in Minnesota. These problems may arise when a worker is treated worse because of a protected characteristic such as race, sex, age, disability, religion, or other protected traits. Examples include offensive comments that create a hostile environment, unwanted sexual advances, or patterns of unequal pay or promotions. Harassment can come from supervisors, coworkers, or customers, and the law may protect you if your employer does not take reasonable steps to address it.

Retaliation & Wrongful Termination

Retaliation & Wrongful Termination are closely linked to these issues. Retaliation may occur when an employer punishes you for reporting discrimination, unsafe conditions, wage concerns, or other unlawful conduct. This can take the form of sudden negative performance reviews, demotion, reduced hours, or being fired after speaking up. In some cases, the termination itself may violate the law, for example, if it is tied to a protected complaint or discriminatory motive.

Many of these disputes involve processes or agencies that apply to Minnesota workers, such as state administrative bodies or courts that handle employment and labor claims. Our attorneys are familiar with these forums and have represented employees in a wide range of workplace rights cases. If your situation resembles any of these categories, a conversation with a labor law attorney in Minnesota can help you understand whether you may have a legal claim.

What To Do If Your Rights Are Violated

When something serious happens at work, it is natural to feel pressure to react quickly or to accept whatever your employer offers. Taking a few careful steps can help protect your rights and avoid decisions that are difficult to change later.

If you can safely do so, write down what happened soon after an incident. Include dates, times, names of the people involved, and what was said or done. Save emails, text messages, performance reviews, pay stubs, schedules, and any written policies that relate to your situation. These records can be important if you later speak with an employee rights lawyer in Minnesota about your options.

Be cautious about signing documents that your employer presents when a dispute arises, especially if you are being asked to resign or accept a severance payment. Agreements can include waivers of significant rights, and it can be difficult to undo them once they are signed. A lawyer can review these documents with you and help you understand what you might be giving up.

Many workers are understandably worried about confidentiality. When you contact our firm, your inquiry is private. Reaching out to us does not automatically notify your employer. We can talk with you about whether and when your employer might learn about your consultation, and we will discuss ways to address your concerns about retaliation.

Deadlines for employment and labor claims can be short, and they may differ depending on whether you are dealing with state or federal law, a court, or an administrative agency. Speaking with an attorney promptly gives you more options. Our goal is to help you understand possible next steps so you can make informed decisions about how to move forward.

How Our Minnesota Employment Lawyers Help

When you contact Nichols Kaster PLLP, the first step is a conversation about what has been happening at work and what you hope to achieve. In that initial discussion, we listen carefully to your story, ask targeted questions, and review key documents if you have them. We work to determine whether what you experienced may violate employment laws that apply in Minnesota or under federal law.

If we continue working together, our attorneys focus on gathering information and evaluating the strength of potential claims. This may involve reviewing company policies, communications, pay records, and other materials, and considering which legal forums are appropriate. Some matters may involve agencies that enforce workplace protections, and others may proceed in courts that handle employment disputes affecting workers in this state. We draw on more than 50 years of litigation experience to guide those choices.

Throughout this process, we use substantial firm resources, including technology that helps organize complex information and manage large volumes of documents. This can be especially important when a single worker is challenging a large company or institutional employer. Our role as an employment law lawyer in Minnesota is to shoulder the legal burden, develop a strategy, and pursue fair treatment while you focus on your life, your health, and your work search or current job.

Communication is central to how we practice. We strive to explain the legal process in clear language, discuss realistic possibilities without overpromising, and keep you informed about important developments. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion influences how we interact with clients and approach cases, and our broader mission for social justice underlies the advocacy we bring to each matter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my workplace treatment was illegal?

The only way to be sure is to compare your situation to the laws that apply. In a consultation, we listen to what happened, review key documents, and assess whether conduct such as discrimination, retaliation, or wage issues may implicate Minnesota or federal employment protections.

Will my employer find out that I contacted your firm?

Reaching out to us is confidential. Your employer is not notified simply because you asked questions or requested a consultation. If we move forward together, we will discuss when your employer might learn about the case and steps that may help address your concerns about retaliation.

Can I afford an employment lawyer if I lost my job?

Many workers who contact us are dealing with reduced income or unemployment. During your initial conversation, we explain how fees work for your type of matter and answer questions about costs before you are asked to make decisions. Our goal is to make the process as accessible as we reasonably can.

What will happen during my first call with your team?

Your first conversation is focused on understanding your situation. We ask about what happened, when it occurred, and what documents you may have. We then discuss whether your experience may involve legal protections and outline possible next steps so you know what to expect.

Why should I choose Nichols Kaster for my case?

Our firm brings more than 50 years of advocating for individuals against powerful employers and institutions. We are nationally recognized, use substantial resources and technology in our cases, and are committed to fairness and accountability. We approach each matter intending to protect and advance workers’ rights.

Talk With Our Team About Your Rights

If something at work does not feel right, you deserve clear information about your options. Speaking with an employment attorney in Minnesota can help you understand whether the law protects you and what steps you can take to seek fair treatment.

At Nichols Kaster PLLP, we bring decades of experience, national recognition, and a record of standing up to powerful entities on behalf of individuals. We are dedicated to protecting workers in this state and to holding employers accountable when they cross the line. When you contact us, we will listen to your story, explain your options in plain language, and talk with you about potential paths forward.

Speak with an experienced employment law attorney today—schedule a consultation online or call us at (877) 344-4628 to review your workplace rights and options.