Practice Areas
Employment Discrimination
Every worker deserves to be judged on their merits — not their race, gender, age, disability, religion, or national origin. When an employer crosses that line, Sean O'Hara fights back.
Your Rights Under Federal and New York Law
Employment discrimination is one of the most pervasive and damaging violations an employer can commit. It strips workers of opportunity, dignity, and livelihood — not because of anything they did wrong, but because of who they are.
Federal law — including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) — prohibits discrimination in hiring, firing, pay, promotions, job assignments, and virtually every other term and condition of employment.
New York State and New York City go further. The New York State Human Rights Law and the New York City Human Rights Law are among the broadest anti-discrimination statutes in the country, covering smaller employers and extending protections to additional categories including sexual orientation, gender identity, and caregiver status.
Sean O'Hara has spent over 15 years representing employees who have been passed over, pushed out, or treated differently because of a protected characteristic. He knows how to build a case, negotiate a resolution, and take a fight to trial when necessary.
Forms of Discrimination Sean Handles
Race & Color Discrimination
Adverse employment actions — termination, demotion, pay cuts, hostile treatment — motivated by an employee's race or skin color violate Title VII and New York law. Sean represents workers of all backgrounds who have been targeted because of their race.
Gender & Sex Discrimination
Women and men alike can be victims of sex discrimination: unequal pay for equal work, denial of promotions, pregnancy discrimination, and differential treatment based on gender stereotypes. The Equal Pay Act and Title VII both apply.
Age Discrimination
Workers 40 and older are protected by the ADEA and New York law from being pushed out, passed over for promotion, or subjected to a hostile environment because of their age. Forced retirement and reduction-in-force schemes that disproportionately target older workers are common violations.
Disability Discrimination
The ADA and New York law require employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities and prohibit adverse actions based on a physical or mental impairment. Sean handles both failure-to-accommodate and discriminatory discharge claims.
National Origin & Religion
Discrimination based on where someone is from, their accent, or their religious beliefs and practices is unlawful. Employers must also make reasonable accommodations for sincerely held religious observances unless doing so creates an undue hardship.
LGBTQ+ Discrimination
The Supreme Court's Bostock decision confirmed that Title VII's prohibition on sex discrimination covers sexual orientation and gender identity. New York City and State law have long provided the same protections. Sean represents LGBTQ+ workers who have faced discrimination or a hostile work environment.
How Sean Builds Your Case
Confidential Case Evaluation
Every matter begins with a thorough, no-pressure consultation. Sean listens to your story, identifies the legal theories that apply, and gives you an honest assessment of your options.
Evidence Preservation
Discrimination cases live and die on documentation. Sean moves quickly to identify and preserve emails, performance reviews, comparator data, and witness accounts before evidence disappears.
Agency Filings
Many discrimination claims require filing a charge with the EEOC or the New York State Division of Human Rights before proceeding to court. Sean handles the entire administrative process, including responding to employer position statements.
Aggressive Negotiation
The majority of employment discrimination cases resolve through negotiation or mediation. Sean's litigation track record gives him leverage at the bargaining table — employers know he is prepared to try the case.
Trial-Ready Litigation
When a fair resolution cannot be reached, Sean takes the case to court. He has tried employment matters in federal and state court and is not afraid of a jury.
Full Damages Recovery
Recoverable damages include back pay, front pay, compensatory damages for emotional distress, punitive damages where warranted, and attorneys' fees. Sean fights for every dollar his clients are owed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Treated Differently at Work?
If you believe you have been discriminated against, time limits apply. Contact Sean O'Hara today for a confidential consultation.
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