Racial Discrimination

Our Law Firm Helps Victims of Workplace Racial Discrimination

Ohio attorneys who take a stand against discrimination

Have you experienced unfair treatment or harassment at work because of your race? If so, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to face this challenge without support. Both federal and Ohio laws protect you from workplace racial discrimination, but standing up to your employer can feel overwhelming.

At Nilges Draher LLC, our experienced Ohio racial discrimination attorneys fight for your rights and help you get the justice you deserve. With offices in Cleveland, Columbus, and North Canton, we serve clients across Ohio and the U.S. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your case.

What Is Racial Discrimination in the Workplace?

Racial discrimination occurs when an employer treats you unfairly because of your race, color, or ethnicity. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Ohio Civil Rights Act (O.R.C. §4112), it is illegal for employers to discriminate based on these protected characteristics. This applies to hiring, firing, promotions, pay, job assignments, and all other terms of employment.

Learn more about your rights from the EEOC.

Common Forms of Race Discrimination at Work

Workplace racial discrimination can be obvious or subtle. You may be experiencing discrimination if you notice any of the following:

• Not being hired or promoted despite your qualifications
• Receiving lower pay or smaller raises compared to similarly qualified coworkers of another race
• Being assigned less desirable shifts, tasks, or clients
• Facing racial slurs, jokes, or exclusion from team activities
• Being disciplined more harshly for similar conduct as others
• Retaliation after reporting discrimination

These are just some examples. If any of this sounds familiar, our discrimination attorneys in Cleveland, Ohio, and across the state can help.

How Our Ohio Racial Discrimination Attorneys Can Help

Your employer may try to justify their actions or claim there were legitimate reasons for their decisions. Our legal team works to uncover the truth, using:

• Thorough investigation of your situation
• Collecting emails, performance reviews, and witness statements
• Reviewing company policies and employment records
• Filing charges with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
• Aggressively negotiating or litigating your case to seek fair compensation

Schedule a free case evaluation now.

Step-by-Step: What to Expect When You Work With Us

1. Confidential Consultation: Tell us your story in your own words.
2. Case Review: We assess potential claims and best strategies.
3. Filing Claims: We guide you through the OCRC/EEOC process.
4. Investigation: Our attorneys collect and organize critical evidence.
5. Negotiation or Litigation: We fight for the best possible result, whether through settlement or in court.

We have offices in Cleveland, Columbus, and North Canton—so you get local support, backed by national experience.

Why Time Matters: Statute of Limitations in Ohio

Don’t delay—strict deadlines apply!

• You must file a discrimination charge with the OCRC within 180 days or the EEOC within 300 days of the discriminatory act.
• Early action helps preserve evidence and witness accounts.

Read more: How to Document Employment Discrimination

Proving Subtle or Systemic Bias

Not all discrimination is obvious. Sometimes, policies or practices affect certain groups more than others (known as “disparate impact”).
Our attorneys know how to:

• Analyze company records for patterns
• Use the “four-fifths rule” to identify possible bias in hiring or promotions
• Gather statistical evidence when necessary

Race Discrimination Cases Beyond Ohio

While our firm is rooted in Cleveland, Columbus, and North Canton, we handle federal racial discrimination claims for clients across the nation. No matter where you live or work, we’re prepared to protect your rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifies me to work with an Ohio racial discrimination attorney?

If you believe you’ve been denied promotions, fired, underpaid, harassed, or otherwise mistreated at work because of your race, you may have a legal claim under state or federal law.

What deadlines apply for filing a racial discrimination claim in Ohio?

You must file with the OCRC within 180 days, or with the EEOC within 300 days. The sooner you contact us, the better we can protect your case.

How do I prove racial discrimination if it’s not obvious?

We look for evidence such as emails, performance records, witness statements, and patterns of behavior—often the best proof in subtle or systemic cases.

Can I sue if my company retaliated after I reported discrimination?

Yes. Both Ohio and federal laws protect employees from retaliation. If you experienced termination, demotion, or negative treatment after reporting discrimination, you may also have a retaliation claim.

Why choose Nilges Draher’s discrimination attorneys in Cleveland, Columbus, or North Canton?

Our local teams know Ohio law and courts inside out, but we also handle complex federal cases nationwide. We combine personalized service with deep expertise for every client.

How we can help

Chances are your employer will insist that there are legitimate reasons for its discriminatory behavior. Your employer will use any excuse to justify the discrimination. They might claim that a white colleague was a harder worker or had better credentials than you, even if you know that’s not the case.

You might think all you have to do is report such illegal activity to the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). But it’s important to realize that these government agencies have a different agenda. They’re often focused on determining if the company violated the law, not whether you are fairly compensated for the discriminatory conduct you have been subjected to. That’s our job.