Employment Attorneys in Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia’s hospital, university, and hospitality workers face wage theft, harassment, and retaliation across the city. A Pennsylvania-licensed employment attorney who takes Philadelphia cases will review your claim free of charge.
- Free to use — no fee unless you win
- Matched with a Pennsylvania attorney in 24 hours
- 30,000+ plaintiffs served nationwide
Free Philadelphia employment case review
A Pennsylvania attorney will take a look. Or call 1-833-WELEGAL.
By submitting, you agree that DearLegal and the attorneys or law firms we connect you with may contact you by phone and email about your inquiry, including by automated technology.
DearLegal is not a law firm and will not provide legal advice. DearLegal connects users to licensed attorneys.
How we match your Philadelphia employment case
When you submit a Philadelphia employment matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.
Case type
A employment matter needs someone who handles employment work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.
Size and complexity
Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.
Jurisdiction and licensing
Your matter is decided under Pennsylvania law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Pennsylvania who regularly appears where your case would be heard.
Capacity and fit
Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.
Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.
DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.
Employment cases in Philadelphia
More about legal help in Philadelphia →Employment disputes in Philadelphia arise across hospitals and universities, the port and logistics sector, restaurants and hotels, unionized trades, and a growing professional services scene. Common claims include wage theft, unpaid overtime, discrimination, retaliation, and violations of the city’s own worker protection ordinances, which go beyond state law. Claims often begin with a city, state, or federal agency before reaching Philadelphia County or federal court, and agency deadlines can be very short. DearLegal matches you with a Pennsylvania-licensed attorney who handles employment cases in Philadelphia, with a free review.
- Philadelphia has city-level worker protections, including paid sick leave and fair scheduling rules, beyond Pennsylvania law.
- Hospitals, universities, hospitality, and port-related employers generate many of the city’s wage and discrimination claims.
- Employment lawsuits that reach court are filed in Philadelphia County court or federal court in the city.
Pennsylvania employment rules at a glance
Philadelphia cases run under Pennsylvania law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the Pennsylvania page.
Read the full Pennsylvania employment guide →- State Anti-Discrimination Statute
PHRA
Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA), 43 P.S. § 951 et seq. Protected: race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age 40+, sex (PHRC interprets to include sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, non-job-related handicap/disability, GED status.
- Deadline to File Charge
180 days
180 days to file with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) under 43 P.S. § 959. Work-share with EEOC. After PHRC right-to-sue or 1-year stagnation, file in court within 2 years.
- At-Will Doctrine
At-will state
At-will state with narrow public-policy exception (Geary v. United States Steel Corp.; Shick v. Shirey). Statutory protections for workers' comp retaliation (Shick), whistleblowing (Whistleblower Law, 43 P.S. § 1421 — public sector), jury duty, military service.
- Non-Compete Enforceability
Reasonableness test
Reasonableness test on time, geography, scope, and protectable interest. PA courts permit blue-pencil reformation. Strict consideration requirements — continued at-will employment alone is generally insufficient unless additional consideration is provided.
- Minimum Wage & Overtime
$7.25
Pennsylvania minimum wage tracks federal $7.25/hour (has not increased since 2009). Overtime under PA Minimum Wage Act (43 P.S. § 333.104) and federal FLSA. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have local paid-sick ordinances.
- Typical attorney fee
33%
33%–40% contingency — no fee unless you win
Exhibit D
How much do Philadelphia employment attorneys cost?
Sample settlement statement
Pennsylvania · Employment
Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.
Most Pennsylvania employment attorneys work on contingency: the fee is a share of what they recover, and nothing if they don’t.
Pennsylvania employment attorneys work on contingency or hybrid arrangements — typically 33%–40% of recovery. PHRA, PA Wage Payment and Collection Law, and federal employment statutes shift attorney fees to the employer when the worker prevails.
A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.
Exhibit F
Philadelphia employment questions, answered
Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Pennsylvania attorney will review it for free.
Employment attorneys by city in Pennsylvania
Same Pennsylvania rules and the same attorneys — with what’s local to each city.
