About John Devendorf, Esq.
John Devendorf is a graduate of UCLA and holds a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, where he was a Distinguished Scholar, recipient of the ALI-ABA Scholarship and Leadership Award, and a participant in the Immigrant Workers’ Rights Clinic and special delegation to Haiti.
A licensed attorney for more than a decade, John transitioned to a career as a legal content writer and editor after an externship with the IRS, a judicial clerkship, and practicing at a civil litigation firm in Princeton, New Jersey. John now lives in Portland, Oregon, where he enjoys writing, international travel, and escape rooms.
Articles written by John Devendorf, Esq.
The Wrongful Termination Lawsuit Process: A Step-By-Step Guide
If your employer fired you for illegal reasons, such as discrimination or retaliation for engaging in protected activities, you can file a wrongful termination lawsuit against them. The first step is to get personalized legal advice from an experienced wrongful termination attorney. They can explain your rights and legal options and help you begin to gather evidence for your claim. Statutes of limitations give limited time to file a lawsuit after being illegally fired, so contact a wrongful …
What Damages Can I Sue For in a Wrongful Termination Case?
When you file a wrongful termination lawsuit, you aim to recover monetary compensation for losing your job. Compensatory damages can help you recover what you lost due to your employer's illegal firing. Damages in a wrongful termination case include lost wages, back pay, front pay, emotional distress, and punitive damages. The legal remedies available can depend on where you live. To understand what your wrongful termination lawsuit is worth, talk to a local employment lawyer for legal …
How Long Do I Have To File a Wrongful Termination Lawsuit?
The statute of limitations in a wrongful termination lawsuit is the deadline to file your claim. If you file your claim too late, you can lose your right to recover compensation. Your time limit depends on the type of legal claim and whether you file under state or federal law. There are very few exceptions to the strict statute of limitations, so you should contact a lawyer sooner rather than later. To find out how long you have to file a lawsuit in your case, talk to a wrongful termination …
Understanding Your Rights: Public Policy Violations in Wrongful Termination
At-will employment means employers can terminate employees for almost any reason. However, employers cannot fire employees for illegal reasons, like unlawful discrimination or in violation of public policy. When employers wrongfully terminate an employee in violation of public policy, the employee can take legal action against their employer. Employees have the burden of proof to show their employer's unlawful termination violated public policy, including state and federal statutes or …
Wrongful Termination vs. Unfair Treatment: What's the Legal Difference?
Many employees deal with unfair treatment in the workplace. But unfair treatment is not necessarily illegal. Under at-will employment, employers can fire workers for any reason they want as long as it's not an illegal act. Wrongful termination involves firing workers for an unlawful reason, including discrimination, breach of contract, or retaliation. “I hate to say this, but the truth is that there are a lot of wrong things that happen in the workplace, especially a lot of bad treatment and …
Forced To Quit? How To Know If You Have a Constructive Discharge Case
Constructive discharge involves quitting or leaving your job because your employer created intolerable workplace conditions that were so bad you had to leave. The employer does not fire the employee but makes the job so unpleasant that the employee is forced to resign. When an employer's discrimination or harassment forces an employee to quit, the employee can file a legal claim for wrongful termination. Contact a local wrongful termination lawyer for legal advice on your situation. What …
Minimum Wage and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
The federal minimum wage is the lowest amount employers can compensate hourly workers. The current federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. Many states and municipalities have higher minimum wage rates and stronger wage and hour protections. To understand the minimum wage and overtime laws where you work, contact a local wage and hour lawyer. Overview of the Fair Labor Standards Act The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets a baseline of worker protections in the United States. The …
Understand Your Pay Deductions: What To Look For
Lots of money gets taken out of your paycheck to pay for taxes, government programs, and benefits. You should understand what you pay in deductions and keep track of where the money is going. You can also increase or decrease voluntary deductions to access more money or get tax savings. If there are problems with your payroll deductions, talk to your HR representative to clear up any issues. Tax deductions can depend on your job, state laws, and your individual situation. For legal advice about …
Exempt and Non-Exempt Employees Explained
Federal and state laws set minimum wage and overtime protections for employees. However, many salaried employees are exempt from these protections. To understand your employee rights, it's important to know whether you're an exempt or non-exempt employee. For legal help, contact a local wage and hour lawyer for legal advice. Understanding Employee Classification The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes a minimum wage and overtime pay for most hourly and part-time employees. It …
Can Workers Sue for Wage Theft?
Wage theft is when an employer doesn't pay an employee the wages they have earned. Withholding payment is illegal. Employees can sue their employer for wage theft to recover unpaid wages and other damages. Many employees never file a wage claim because they fear retaliation by their employer. However, state and federal wage and hour laws prohibit retaliation for filing a wage claim. Talking to an employment lawyer is confidential and can help you understand your legal rights. To find out about …
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