Sexual Harassment Attorney in Baltimore
Confidential Help When Work Stops Feeling Safe
When someone at work crosses the line, it can affect every part of your life. You might be questioning whether what you are dealing with is “serious enough,” worried about losing your job, and unsure where to turn. Speaking with a sexual harassment attorney can help you understand your rights and options before things get worse.
At Emejuru Law, we represent employees who are facing unwanted sexual comments, touching, propositions, and other behavior that makes it hard to feel safe at work. Our attorney, Ikechukwu Emejuru, brings over a decade of litigation experience in employment and civil rights cases in Maryland. We listen first, then work with you to decide what comes next.
If you work in or around Baltimore and are dealing with harassment, you do not have to figure this out alone. We offer confidential consultations so you can talk through your situation, ask questions, and receive guidance that is grounded in the law and in your goals.
Why Workers Choose Emejuru Law
Choosing a lawyer for a sensitive issue like sexual harassment is a deeply personal decision. You need someone who will take your experience seriously, protect your privacy, and be prepared to stand up to your employer if necessary. We have built our firm around that combination of compassion and strength.
Our attorney has more than 10 years of litigation experience in employment law and civil rights, including cases that have gone before federal courts. We have also brought groundbreaking class-action lawsuits against large corporations. This background matters if your case involves a powerful employer or complicated facts that are likely to be hard fought.
We approach every harassment matter with a personalized strategy. That begins with understanding what you want. Some clients want to try to fix the situation and remain in their job. Others are focused on accountability and long term financial security. We work to align our legal approach with your priorities, not the other way around.
Our practice is deeply rooted in the communities we serve. We regularly advocate for individuals across Maryland, including many who work in the Baltimore area. Clients come to us during some of the most stressful chapters of their careers, and we respond with respect, clear explanations, and steady guidance through a complex process.
What Counts As Sexual Harassment
Many people who call us are unsure whether what they are experiencing is legally considered sexual harassment. They may feel uncomfortable and unsafe, but they have been told to “ignore it” or that it is “just a joke.” Understanding what the law protects can help you decide how to move forward.
Workplace sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that affects the terms or conditions of your employment. One form is often called quid pro quo harassment. This occurs when a supervisor or person with authority suggests that job benefits, such as a raise, promotion, or continued employment, depend on accepting sexual advances or tolerating inappropriate behavior.
Another form involves a hostile work environment. This can develop when sexual comments, images, jokes, touching, or messages become so frequent or severe that they create an abusive or intimidating workplace. The behavior can come from supervisors, coworkers, clients, or even nonemployees who interact with staff. It does not have to involve physical contact to be harmful.
Maryland and federal law protect employees from harassment related to sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and related characteristics. What matters is that the conduct is unwelcome and that it meaningfully affects your work environment. Every situation is different, and it is common to feel unsure. We regularly help workers in Baltimore talk through specific facts and evaluate whether the law likely applies to their situation.
Some examples of conduct that may be sexual harassment include:
- Repeated sexual comments, jokes, or questions about your body or private life
- Unwanted touching, hugging, rubbing, or blocking your path
- Requests for sexual favors tied to job benefits or threats
- Sexually explicit messages, images, or emails from colleagues or supervisors
- Persistent dating requests after you have clearly said no
- Derogatory remarks about your gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity
Steps To Protect Yourself At Work
Once you recognize that what you are experiencing may be harassment, the next question is what you can safely do. There is no single right path for everyone. Your finances, job market, immigration status, and family needs can all affect your decisions. Still, there are practical steps that tend to help preserve your options.
Documentation is often critical. Keeping a detailed record of what happens can make a big difference later if your employer denies your account. Many companies also have written policies that describe how to report harassment. It can be useful to understand those procedures, even if you are not sure yet whether you want to use them.
Retaliation is one of the biggest fears employees share with us. The law generally prohibits employers from punishing you for reporting harassment or participating in an investigation. Retaliation can include firing, demotion, schedule changes, reduced hours, or hostile treatment because you complained. If you notice changes after speaking up, that pattern can be important evidence.
Steps that may help protect your rights include:
- Writing down each incident with dates, times, locations, and names of people involved
- Saving emails, texts, social media messages, or notes that relate to the behavior
- Reviewing your employee handbook or harassment policy to see reporting options
- Considering whether there is a supervisor or HR contact you feel safe approaching
- Keeping your notes and copies of documents in a secure place outside your workplace
- Reaching out to our firm to discuss your situation before making major decisions
Every workplace and case is different, and these steps are not required in order to have a claim. They are simply practical actions that often help. When we speak with employees who work in Baltimore and nearby communities, we talk through these issues in detail so that any next step matches their comfort level and goals.
How Our Baltimore Harassment Lawyer Helps
Talking with a lawyer for the first time can feel intimidating, especially when you are already under stress at work. We work to make that first conversation as straightforward and supportive as possible. Our focus is on understanding your story, not pressuring you into a particular decision.
During an initial consultation, we typically ask you to describe what has happened, who is involved, what your workplace is like, and what you would like to see change. We then explain in plain language how Maryland and federal laws may apply to your situation. Part of our role as a sexual harassment lawyer is to help you understand whether the conduct likely meets legal standards and what evidence may be useful.
If you decide to move forward, we help you consider different paths. That might include internal complaints, filing a charge with an agency that enforces discrimination laws, or, in some cases, litigation in state or federal court. Which route makes sense can depend on facts such as timing, your job status, and the employer involved.
Our litigation background is an important benefit for clients whose cases become contested. We have taken significant matters to federal court and have experience challenging large corporations through class-action lawsuits. For someone facing a well resourced employer in the Baltimore area, it can be reassuring to know that your sexual harassment attorney Baltimore has handled complex disputes before.
Throughout the process, we aim to reduce the burden on you. That can include managing communication with the employer’s representatives, preparing you for any interviews or testimony, and keeping you updated on important developments. We recognize that these cases affect careers, reputations, and mental health. Our goal is to combine strong advocacy with consistent, respectful communication so that you do not feel left in the dark.
Deadlines & Local Harassment Claims
Employment laws that protect against sexual harassment generally come with filing deadlines. Missing those deadlines can limit or even eliminate some legal options. For workers in Baltimore, it is important to understand that many harassment claims begin with an administrative charge rather than going straight to court.
Employees often file charges with agencies that investigate discrimination and harassment in this part of the state. The specific time limits and procedures that apply can depend on factors like which laws are involved and when the last incident occurred.
Some cases later proceed in court after those administrative steps. Which forum is appropriate can depend on the claims asserted, the size of the employer, and the steps that have already been taken with enforcement agencies. These choices can have consequences for timing, process, and possible remedies.
Because these rules are technical, many people choose to talk with a sexual harassment lawyer Baltimore before filing on their own. When we meet with workers from the Baltimore area, we discuss what deadlines may apply, which agencies or courts may be involved, and what steps are needed to preserve their rights. Reaching out early can provide more room to plan and avoid preventable mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my employer find out I spoke to you?
Your initial consultation with us is confidential. We do not contact your employer or anyone else about your situation unless you decide you want to take that step. Our goal is to give you a safe place to talk through options before you choose how to proceed.
How do I know if my situation is illegal harassment?
We look at the details of what has happened, how often, who is involved, and how it affects your work. During a consultation, we explain how Maryland and federal law define harassment and help you understand whether your facts are likely to meet those standards.
Can I be fired for reporting sexual harassment?
Employers are generally prohibited from retaliating against you for reporting harassment or participating in an investigation. That does not mean employers never act improperly, but retaliation can create additional legal claims. We help clients document changes at work and consider options if they experience backlash.
What does it cost to hire your firm?
We discuss fees openly during your consultation so you can make an informed decision. The specific structure can depend on the type of case and work involved. Our priority is to find an approach that is fair and that reflects the needs of each client we serve.
What happens during the first consultation?
We ask you to share your story and any documents you feel comfortable providing. We then explain, in plain terms, how the law may apply, what options you might have, and what working together could look like. There is no obligation to move forward if you are not ready.
Talk With A Lawyer About Your Next Steps
If you are dealing with sexual harassment at work, you may feel pressure from every side and still be unsure about your options. Speaking with a sexual harassment attorney can give you clarity about your rights and help you decide on a path that protects your safety, your income, and your future.
At Emejuru Law, we draw on years of employment and civil rights litigation experience to guide workers in the Baltimore area through difficult choices. We take time to understand your priorities, explain the law in clear language, and develop a strategy that reflects your goals. Your first step is simply a confidential conversation.
To arrange a confidential consultation, call (240) 607-5552.
