Public Employment Law Attorney in Newark, NJ: Counsel for Major Public‑Sector Unions
Our Newark public employment lawyer knows how it feels when your employer, the very government agency you’ve dedicated years to, turns against you.
Maybe you were written up without warning. Maybe your benefits were denied after decades of service. Or maybe you spoke up about wrongdoing and now face retaliation.
Government jobs come with special rules, and we know how to use them to your advantage. Our goal is simple: to protect your career, your benefits, and your future. We fight hard to get you reinstated, recover lost pay, or secure any remedy you deserve.
Contact us today to discuss your situation.
Workplace Issues Newark Public Employees Face and How We Can Help
Public employees in Newark can face workplace problems that threaten their reputations, benefits, and futures. Workers who are considered public employees include public school teachers, police officers, sanitation workers, clerks, firefighters, administrators, and more.
We handle all types of public employment disputes, including:
Disciplinary Actions and Due Process Violations
One day, you’re doing your job. The next, you’re handed a notice of disciplinary action accusing you of misconduct or poor performance.
We’ve seen it happen to police officers after a disputed arrest, to teachers after a single classroom incident, and to public works employees after equipment mishaps.
Disciplinary action can derail your career and stain your record, even if the allegations are baseless. Our Newark public employment lawyer fights to make sure due process is followed and protect your career.
Whistleblower Retaliation
New Jersey’s Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA) protects workers who report illegal or unsafe practices. But that doesn’t stop retaliation.
You might be reassigned to a less desirable shift, denied promotions, or even terminated after reporting fraud, safety violations, or misuse of public funds.
We understand how isolating and stressful it feels to be punished for doing the right thing, and we know how to fight back.
Discrimination and Harassment
Public employees are protected by the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD). Still, discrimination based on race, gender, age, disability, religion, or sexual orientation remains common.
We’ve represented female firefighters denied training opportunities, older clerks pushed toward retirement, and employees of color consistently passed over for promotions.
Harassment and bias don’t belong in any workplace, especially not in public service. Our public employment law attorney in Newark, NJ, makes sure your employer is held accountable.
Breach of Collective Bargaining Agreements
Your union contract is a binding agreement that protects your wages, hours, benefits, and working conditions.
When a city agency changes your schedule without union approval, refuses to pay negotiated overtime, or violates seniority rights, that’s a breach.
We’ve helped Newark union members enforce their contracts and recover what they’re owed.
Pension and Benefit Disputes
Public employees often plan their futures around pensions, health insurance, and other retirement benefits. But disputes can arise when agencies deny service credit, miscalculate payouts, or challenge eligibility.
We’ve seen retired police officers denied disability pensions, teachers lose benefits after disputed leave records, and long-serving city workers told they don’t qualify for promised coverage.
When benefits are on the line, we fight to protect what you’ve earned.
First Amendment Retaliation
As a public employee, you have a constitutional right to speak on matters of public concern. But exercising that right can lead to retaliation.
We’ve seen police officers disciplined after speaking at community meetings and city employees sidelined for criticizing agency policy in local newspapers.
If you’ve been punished for exercising your free speech rights, we’re ready to stand with you.
Whatever workplace challenge you’re facing, don’t wait. The sooner you involve a Newark public employment lawyer at Zazzali, P.C., the more options our attorney can preserve for you. Fill out our contact form today.
Legal Remedies for Newark Public Workers Whose Rights Have Been Violated
When your work rights are violated, the law offers real remedies.
Monetary Compensation
You may be entitled to financial recovery, including:
- Back pay for lost wages
- Liquidated damages for willful violations
- Compensatory damages for emotional distress, humiliation, or reputational harm
We fight to get every dollar you’re owed.
Reinstatement and Other Non-Financial Remedies
In many cases, you can be reinstated to your job, with seniority and benefits restored.
Other remedies include:
- Expungement of disciplinary records
- Removal of negative performance reviews
- Restoration of lost job assignments or duties
Coverage for Legal Costs and Attorneys’ Fees
If your case is successful, the law may require your employer to cover your legal costs and attorneys’ fees.
This means you keep more of your award and aren’t burdened by out-of-pocket expenses.
How Our Newark Public Employment Lawyer Fights for Your Rights and Protects Your Career
When your career, income, and reputation are at stake, you can’t afford a lawyer who takes a wait-and-see approach.
At Zazzali, P.C., we move quickly, think strategically, and fight relentlessly because every day you’re out of work or under discipline, the damage grows.
Here’s what we do from start to finish:
Evaluate Your Case From Every Angle
We dig into disciplinary notices, union contracts, agency policies, and past communications to find every possible violation of your rights.
If you’re a firefighter facing suspension, for example, we’ll review incident reports, training records, and departmental rules to see if the action against you is truly justified.
Guide You Through the Right Process
Public employment cases often require choosing between multiple paths:
- Reporting a grievance through your union
- Filing an appeal with the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC)
- Filing a claim under CEPA or NJLAD
- Going straight to court
Our public employment law attorney in Newark, NJ, explains the pros and cons of each route and helps you make the best decision for your career.
File Grievances, Appeals, or Complaints
Whether it’s challenging a termination before the Civil Service Commission, bringing a whistleblower retaliation claim, or filing a lawsuit for discrimination, we prepare filings that put the agency on notice.
Gather and Present Evidence
We collect witness statements, obtain records, and work with experts when needed.
For example, if you’re denied a disability pension, we can bring in medical experts to confirm your eligibility and counter the agency’s position.
Negotiate When It Benefits You or Litigate When It Doesn’t
Sometimes a private settlement restores your job, clears your record, and provides fair compensation without dragging you through a public trial.
Other times, we need to take your case to the Office of Administrative Law, the Civil Service Commission, or even federal court. As your public employment law attorney in Newark, NJ, we’re prepared to take whichever action gets you the best outcome.
Protect Your Reputation Along the Way
Employment disputes can harm more than your paycheck. False allegations can follow you to other jobs or even appear in public records.
We fight to have charges removed and disciplinary materials expunged.
Stay With You Until the End
We don’t disappear after a verdict or settlement. If your reinstatement is delayed, your benefits aren’t restored, or your employer tries to retaliate again, we step back in to enforce the agreement.
The bottom line is that we’re not just defending your case. We’re protecting your career, your income, and the years of service you’ve put into your job.
Fill out our online form to start building your defense.
Why Newark Public Employees Trust Us With Their Employment Disputes
Our firm’s mission is to ensure every worker has access to equal employment opportunities. We approach every case with the same mindset. Listen first. Fight smart. Win big.
We don’t just want the facts. We want to understand the emotional toll, including the anxiety of a possible job loss, the humiliation of public discipline, and the fear of losing benefits after years of service.
This approach helps us uncover critical details you might not think to mention, and it shapes strategies that match your personal goals, whether that’s a quick resolution for stability or a full trial for justice.
With a history of serving workers in Newark and across New Jersey for 100 years and combined experience exceeding 200 years, we’re well-versed in every aspect of public employment law. We’re devoted to fighting for working people, because we know that you deserve fair treatment, full compensation and benefits, and a workplace that’s free from discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.
Contact Our Newark Public Employment Lawyer at Zazzali, P.C. for an Initial Consultation
We know what you’re going through, and we know how to fix it.
If you’re a Newark public employee whose rights have been violated, we’re ready to listen, advise, and fight.
For help from a public employment lawyer in Newark, contact Zazzali, P.C. online or call 973-354-5289 today.