Racial Discrimination Lawyer in Brooklyn
Legal Support When Racism Affects Your Job
Racial discrimination at work can leave you feeling angry, isolated, and unsure what to do next. You may be questioning whether what you experienced is illegal or worried that speaking up will only make things worse. If you are searching for a discrimination attorney, you are already taking a careful step toward protecting your rights.
Brown Kwon & Lam is a New York City-based employment law firm that represents workers across the city, including people who live or work in Brooklyn, NY. Our attorneys have obtained millions in recoveries and favorable judgments in employment cases. We combine that record with a commitment to direct, attentive representation, so you know who is standing beside you at every stage.
When you contact us for a free consultation, you speak with the attorneys who would handle your matter, not just an intake team. We listen to what has been happening in your workplace, explain how New York and federal law may apply, and help you understand possible paths forward before you decide on next steps.
For experienced guidance, turn to a skilled racial discrimination attorney. Contact us or call (212) 295-5828 to secure a consultation.
How We Help In Racial Discrimination Cases
If you are dealing with racism at work, you may be unsure whether to report it, stay silent, or start looking for a new job. Our role is to step in as your advocate and guide. We represent employees and job applicants who have faced race-based harassment, hostile work environments, unequal discipline, and terminations tied to their race or ethnicity.
At our firm, clients meet and communicate directly with the partners handling their case. From your first consultation through resolution, you are working with the attorneys who are evaluating the facts, considering strategy, and preparing for each stage. That direct access helps you feel heard and allows us to understand the full context of your workplace, not just what appears in a few documents.
We take time to learn your goals before recommending a course of action. Some clients want to focus on restoring lost wages. Others want to push for changes inside the company or want the discrimination documented. We work to tailor our legal approach to those priorities, while also considering the practical realities of your job, your industry, and your long-term plans.
Our attorneys bring rigorous legal training from institutions such as Cornell University, along with experience in both federal and New York state courts. We draw on that background when analyzing how federal civil rights laws interact with the New York State Human Rights Law and the New York City Human Rights Law. This is particularly important in race-related cases that may involve multiple decision makers or complex company structures.
Because we have represented both employees and employers in employment matters, we understand how companies and their lawyers often respond to racial discrimination claims. That perspective helps us anticipate arguments you may face, evaluate internal investigations, and prepare responses that move your case forward efficiently. Throughout this process, we focus on clear, patient communication so you understand what is happening and why at each step.
We also recognize that cost and time are real concerns. Our approach emphasizes practical, cost-conscious strategies, including mediation or negotiated resolutions when those paths serve your interests. At the same time, we prepare cases with the discipline needed for litigation if that becomes necessary.
Recognizing Illegal Racial Discrimination At Work
Many people are not sure when unfair treatment becomes unlawful racial discrimination. That uncertainty can keep you in a harmful situation longer than you should be. Understanding the basics can help you decide when it is time to speak with a racial discrimination lawyer about your options.
Federal law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, and national origin in many workplaces. In New York, the New York State Human Rights Law and the New York City Human Rights Law add additional protections, often covering more employers and a wider range of conduct. These laws apply to workers in Brooklyn, including full-time employees, part-time workers, and many job applicants.
Unlawful racial discrimination can appear in obvious forms, such as racial slurs from supervisors, racist jokes that continue even after you object, or openly biased decisions about who gets hired or promoted. It can also be more subtle, such as consistently harsher discipline for workers of a certain race, exclusion from key meetings, or repeated denials of training and advancement opportunities when you are otherwise qualified.
Not every rude comment or frustrating decision is illegal. However, when behavior is based on race and affects terms and conditions of employment, or when it creates a hostile work environment, legal protections may apply. Patterns over time are especially important to examine, as they can reveal discrimination that is not obvious in a single event.
Some common signs that you should speak with a racial discrimination lawyer include:
- Repeated racial slurs, stereotypes, or offensive jokes in the workplace
- Unequal discipline or write-ups compared to coworkers in similar situations
- Being passed over for promotions or key assignments while less qualified coworkers advance
- Pay differences that appear tied to race rather than role or performance
- Retaliation or cold treatment after you complain about race-based conduct
If any of this sounds familiar, you do not have to decide on your own whether the law has been violated. We can review what you have experienced under the relevant federal, state, and city laws and help you understand whether a legal claim may be available. Connect with a qualified attorney for employment discrimination as soon as possible.
What To Do If You Suspect Racial Discrimination
When you suspect discrimination, it can be difficult to know what to do without risking your job or your reputation in your field. There is no single correct path for every situation, but there are practical steps that often help protect both your well-being and your legal options.
First, focus on documenting what is happening. Keep a private record of dates, times, locations, and what was said or done, along with who was present. Save relevant emails, text messages, performance reviews, and any written complaints you may have already made. If policies or handbooks are available, keep copies in a safe place outside your workplace systems.
Many employers in New York City, including larger companies with offices in Brooklyn, use written policies for reporting discrimination, often through human resources or designated managers. Deciding whether and how to use those channels can be sensitive. Before making a report, some people choose to talk with an attorney about timing, language, and potential reactions, especially when they are already facing hostility.
Legal deadlines for racial discrimination claims can be strict, and they may vary depending on whether you are proceeding under federal law, New York State Human Rights Law, or New York City Human Rights Law. If you wait too long, some options can become harder to pursue. Speaking with a racial discrimination attorney in Brooklyn early in the process can help you avoid missing important time limits.
Practical steps you can take if you believe you are facing racial discrimination include:
- Write down detailed notes of each incident soon after it happens
- Save emails, messages, and documents that relate to the treatment you are concerned about
- Identify potential witnesses who may have seen or heard the conduct
- Review any company policies about discrimination or complaint procedures
- Consult with an attorney before signing agreements or resigning
When you contact Brown Kwon & Lam, we explain how these steps fit within your particular circumstances. During a free consultation, we talk through what has happened, how your employer has responded so far, and what you want to achieve. We also discuss questions about confidentiality and retaliation, so you understand what protections may be available before you choose a path.
Why Workers Choose Brown Kwon & Lam
People who contact us about racial discrimination are looking for more than legal knowledge. They want a team that will take their situation seriously, explain the process clearly, and remain engaged from the first conversation until their matter concludes. Our firm was founded by three attorneys whose backgrounds cover litigation, class actions, and dispute resolution, and we built our practice around those priorities.
Because we have represented both employees and employers in employment disputes, we understand how racial discrimination allegations are often evaluated on the other side. That insight helps us anticipate how companies, insurers, and defense counsel may respond to your claims. It also informs how we prepare your case, from assessing internal investigation reports to evaluating settlement positions.
We handle challenging areas of employment law, including class and collective litigation. This experience is helpful when race-based practices affect groups of workers, such as patterns in hiring, promotion, or pay across a department or location. We are comfortable managing disputes that involve overlapping policies, complex corporate structures, or union settings in New York City.
Our Fifth Avenue office reflects the level of professionalism and stability we hold ourselves to, similar to larger Manhattan practices. At the same time, we operate as a focused team, which helps us stay accessible to clients who live or work in Brooklyn and the surrounding areas. We respond promptly to calls and emails, keep you updated, and work to ensure you always know what to expect next.
Clients often tell us they value our clear, patient explanations and our steady presence during difficult moments. We approach racial discrimination matters with empathy and purpose. Our goal is to protect your interests practically, pursuing solutions that address both the harm you have suffered and the future you are trying to build.
Connect with an experienced racial discrimination attorney in Brooklyn as soon as possible. Dial (212) 295-5828 for a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my treatment is racial discrimination?
Racial discrimination generally involves decisions or conduct based on race that affect your job, pay, or work environment. If behavior targets your race and impacts your work, it may be unlawful. We can review your situation under federal, state, and city laws and explain whether a claim might exist.
Will my employer find out that I spoke with you?
Initial consultations with our firm are confidential. Contacting us to discuss your concerns does not require notifying your employer. If you decide to move forward, we talk with you about how communications typically occur and how to balance your goals with privacy and retaliation concerns.
What does it cost to hire your firm?
We offer free consultations so you can discuss your situation and options without upfront cost. During that conversation, we will explain our fee structure for employment matters in clear terms. Our approach focuses on practical, cost-conscious strategies that protect your interests without unnecessary expense.
How long do racial discrimination cases usually take?
The length of a case depends on factors such as the facts, the laws involved, the employer’s response, and whether the matter is resolved through negotiation, mediation, or litigation. We explain likely timelines for your situation and work to move your case forward efficiently.
Who will I work with if I hire your firm?
If you hire our firm, you work directly with the partners responsible for your case. We remain involved from the first meeting through resolution, returning your calls and emails, and keeping you informed. Our team supports you with organized preparation and clear, patient communication.
Our qualified racial discrimination lawyer is ready to help you. Get in touch via online form to make an appointment right away.
