Syracuse, NY Discrimination and Retaliation Attorneys

Tired of Being Pushed Around at Work? Fight Back with Syracuse’s Top Discrimination & Retaliation Attorneys

If you're facing discrimination or retaliation at work, you're probably feeling anxious, frustrated, or just plain worn out. Every shift feels like a battle. Every email from your supervisor brings tension. That’s where we come in. Our employment law attorneys in Syracuse, NY, work hard to support people just like you, those dealing with unfair treatment, targeted behavior, or punishment for speaking out.

At Horn Wright, LLP, we help workers across Central New York understand their rights and reclaim their peace of mind. We personalize every case because no two stories are the same. If you’re ready to speak with someone who gets it and is ready to act, we’re here to stand beside you every step of the way.

The Law’s Got Your Back, And So Do We

You have more protection than you might think. In Syracuse, you’re covered under both federal laws and New York State-specific legislation designed to shield employees from discrimination and retaliation. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, employers are prohibited from discriminating against employees based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. That’s true whether you work for a major healthcare provider on East Genesee Street or a retail store in Destiny USA.

New York’s Executive Law § 296, part of the New York State Human Rights Law, provides even broader protection. It makes it illegal for employers to discriminate based on sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, familial status, or military status. This law also prohibits retaliation against employees who file a complaint or help others do the same.

So if you were reassigned, written up, or fired after speaking out, that’s not just bad behavior, it could be illegal. These aren’t just policies. They’re your rights under state and federal law.

Spotting Discrimination: It’s Not Just in Your Head

Some forms of discrimination are obvious. Others creep in slowly, like a pattern you can’t quite name, but you feel it every time you walk into the breakroom or log into your system. Discrimination takes many forms, and in Syracuse’s diverse workplaces, recognizing it early matters.

• Direct discrimination could be racial slurs, jokes about your religion, or being denied a promotion despite strong performance.
• Subtle bias might look like being consistently overlooked for training, excluded from meetings, or held to different standards than others in the same role.
• Hostile work environments develop when someone repeatedly experiences demeaning, intimidating, or isolating behavior that interferes with their ability to do their job.

Executive Law § 296 makes each of these forms of discrimination unlawful in the state of New York. The law holds employers accountable, even if the conduct came from a coworker or supervisor and the employer failed to act. That kind of detail matters in your case. And that’s what we dig into when we build your claim.

Retaliation Isn't Discipline, It's Punishment. And It's Illegal.

Retaliation happens when you’re punished for doing the right thing. Maybe you reported sexual harassment or supported a coworker who filed a complaint. Suddenly, you’re getting written up, your hours are cut, or your once-steady career path disappears. It doesn’t take much for these punishments to derail your future.

Federal law makes this kind of retaliation illegal. So does New York’s Labor Law § 740. That statute protects whistleblowers, workers who report illegal business activity, safety violations, or public health risks. It prohibits any adverse action, including suspension, demotion, threats, or firing, when that report is made in good faith.

Some retaliation is loud and obvious. But much of it is quiet and calculated. Here’s what we help clients identify:

• You were transferred to a less favorable shift or location without reason.
• You began receiving unusually negative performance reviews after speaking up.
• You were suddenly isolated, left out of meetings, or treated coldly by management.

These aren’t just bad management choices. In the eyes of the law, they can form the foundation of a strong retaliation claim. Our Syracuse-based team looks at every detail to ensure the full picture gets seen.

We Don’t Just File Cases, We Build Powerful Legal Stories

From the moment you contact us, we start asking questions that matter. What changed after you spoke up? Who else was involved? What paper trail exists? Then we map out a strategy. No fluff, just clear, focused action.

• We gather communications, HR reports, performance records, and digital timestamps.
• We compare how others in your position were treated under the same standards.
• We calculate what you’ve lost, wages, benefits, opportunities, and emotional toll, and estimate damages accordingly.

With that foundation, we prepare a formal demand. We outline your employer’s violations under Title VII, Labor Law § 740, and Executive Law § 296. Then we show exactly how your rights were violated and what they owe you. If they won’t come to the table with fairness, we take them to court. We’ve represented workers in the Onondaga County Supreme Court and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York, so we’re ready for wherever the case needs to go.

Syracuse Isn’t Just a City, It’s Our Community, Too

From teachers at local schools to tech workers in downtown Syracuse, we’ve worked with employees from every corner of this city. You won’t get a cookie-cutter approach with us. We tailor every strategy based on your job, your industry, and your specific challenges.

We’re not just familiar with employment law, we know how Syracuse employers behave. Whether you work for SUNY Upstate, the City of Syracuse, or a local nonprofit, we’ve likely seen the policies, handbooks, and hierarchies before. That kind of familiarity gives you a powerful advantage.

And we don’t just focus on winning cases, we focus on helping you feel safe and respected again. That means keeping you updated, answering your calls, and making sure you’re never left in the dark.

What to Expect: No Nonsense, Just Straight Answers

We begin with a listening session. You talk. We take notes. Then we give you a roadmap, built around the facts of your case and the laws that apply. It’s a plan, not a lecture.

• We prepare and file claims with the EEOC or the New York State Division of Human Rights.
• We review and, if needed, challenge NDAs, settlement agreements, or “last chance” performance plans.
• We negotiate tough and litigate harder, whichever your case demands.

Each step is meant to reduce your stress while building your case. We explain timelines, risks, and what success could look like based on similar cases we’ve handled across Central New York.

Answers You Deserve: FAQs About Discrimination & Retaliation

How long do I have to act?
For most discrimination and retaliation claims, federal law gives you 300 days to file with the EEOC. Under Executive Law § 297(5), you typically have three years to file with the New York Division of Human Rights.

What if I signed a severance agreement or NDA?
Even if you signed something, it might not prevent you from pursuing legal action, especially if the employer acted illegally. Let us review it before you assume your rights are gone.

Is it worth filing if I still work there?
Absolutely. Many people are afraid to come forward while they’re still employed. But retaliation for speaking up is also illegal. Filing early can protect you, and we’ll help you stay informed and empowered through the process.

Don’t Let Them Get Away With It, You Deserve Better

You don’t have to keep hoping things will magically improve at work. If you’ve been disrespected, overlooked, harassed, or punished, it’s time to speak with someone who can help. Our employment law attorneys in Syracuse are ready to listen and act. Whether it’s racism, sexism, ageism, or retaliation for speaking up, we’ve seen it all and fought back for our clients.

We’ll start with your timeline and your goals, then advise you on every option. We’ll communicate in plain English. And we’ll fight like it’s our own job on the line—because we know how deeply this affects your life.

You don’t have to accept toxic treatment or silent suffering. We’re here to help you stand up, with the full strength of New York and federal law behind you.

Call Horn Wright, LLP, Today to Fight

Facing discrimination or retaliation at work isn’t just frustrating, it’s damaging to your future, your self-worth, and your income. But you have strong legal protections, and you don’t have to figure this out alone. Our employment law attorneys in Syracuse, NY, have the knowledge and the drive to fight for real accountability. We’ll investigate thoroughly, advise clearly, and push for results that respect your rights.

We believe everyone deserves dignity at work. If your employer has crossed the line, we’re ready to call them out, and demand change.

If it matters to you to work with one of the best law firms in America recognized for fierce advocacy, let’s get to work.

If you're done tolerating the unacceptable, we’re ready to stand with you. Contact our Syracuse office now and let’s start fighting for your future.