A New York employment lawyer for workers

Who we help

If you were treated unfairly at work in New York, this site is a place to find out what the law says and whether you may have a case. Charles Joseph is an employment lawyer who represents workers, not employers. He is the founding partner of Joseph & Kirschenbaum LLP, a New York firm that has recovered over $200 million for clients in discrimination, harassment, wage theft, and retaliation cases.

The firm handles cases under New York and federal law and also takes cases in New Jersey. Federal judges have called it “the best in breed” among NYC employment lawyers, praising “the doggedness with which they pursued relief for their clients.”

What we handle

• Workplace discrimination: because of race, sex or gender, age, disability, pregnancy, religion, national origin, or LGBTQ status.
• Sexual harassment: unwelcome advances, requests for favors, and other sexual conduct at work.
• Wage theft: unpaid overtime, minimum wage violations, stolen tips, unpaid commissions, and misclassification as a contractor.
• Retaliation: being punished for complaining, filing a claim, or reporting wrongdoing.
• Wrongful termination: being fired for an illegal reason, including as an act of discrimination or retaliation.
• Hostile work environment: offensive conduct serious enough to affect your ability to do your job.

The firm also takes FMLA retaliation, equal pay, freelancer and contractor, whistleblower, and mass layoff (WARN Act) cases. Every area has a plain-language guide under Your Rights.

Getting a case evaluation

Send a message through the contact form or call (212) 651-4238. Describe what happened and when, where you work, and whether you still work there. Documents help: pay stubs, schedules, emails, texts, or a written complaint you made.

There is no charge for an evaluation. Every inquiry is reviewed. Sending one does not create an attorney-client relationship, and we can refer you to a lawyer in your area if you are outside New York and New Jersey.

Results and reputation

The firm's major victories include a $16 million recovery against an international financial services firm and multimillion-dollar results against restaurants, catering companies, a large events venue, and a major law firm. Clients describe Charles as a “strong, smart, and effective legal representative.” Read their reviews. Every case has unique facts; prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

About Charles Joseph

Charles has practiced plaintiffs' employment law for over twenty years. A graduate of NYU School of Law, he started at the Wall Street firm Debevoise & Plimpton, where he saw how management can undermine valid employee claims, and founded his own firm in 1997 to represent workers. He has been honored for his pro bono asylum work and holds a 5-star Avvo rating and a SuperLawyer designation. Read his full biography.

About Working Now and Then

Charles created Working Now and Then as a resource for workers and the people who care about them. The Your Rights guides explain New York, New Jersey, and federal employment law in plain language, and the FAQ answers the questions workers ask most. Many guides are also available in Spanish.

The site also publishes work by historians on the history of working in the Scholars and Students section, and funds two annual scholarships for students heading into law. Meet the contributors.