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.
Child Labor Laws: Where Can Teens Legally Work?
Teens can work where they meet the minimum age requirements under state and federal child labor laws. The Department of Labor's Fair Labor Standards Act sets the minimum age for work at 14 years old, and there are hour restrictions for teens under 16. States set minimum wage laws and work permit requirements. Common jobs for teen workers include newspaper delivery, food service, office clerical work, retail positions, and grocery bagging. There are additional restrictions for hazardous …
Can I Be Fired for Being Pregnant or Needing Leave?
Federal and state laws protect pregnant workers against unlawful termination, retaliation, or losing their jobs for taking pregnancy leave or having pregnancy-related conditions. If your employer acts against you when you become pregnant or refuses to provide accommodations, you have legal recourse. Contact an employment law attorney to understand your legal rights against pregnancy discrimination. Legal Protections for Pregnant Employees While U.S. federal law does not require employers to …
What Are My Rights as an Independent Contractor or Freelancer?
Independent contractors and freelancers enjoy greater independence from employers than employees, but they also lose out on many of the legal protections employees have. For example, while employees have recourse to state agencies that enforce employee rights, independent contractors typically have fewer options to turn to state agencies and often need to rely on contracts and legal action. As an independent contractor, it is important to know your rights to protect your financial interests. …
What Is the Statute of Limitations To Challenge Paternity?
Challenging paternity involves court proceedings to dispute or establish parental rights and obligations. Either parent or the child can file an action in family law court to establish or challenge paternity. However, most states have a time limit for bringing a paternity claim. For most states, you can challenge paternity until the child reaches age 18. The statute of limitations for challenging paternity varies by state and can depend on various factors. If you have questions about …
How Long Do I Have To File My Discrimination Claim?
Federal and state laws only give you a limited amount of time to file a discrimination claim against your employer. Filing your complaint past the deadline will means it will be dismissed. The deadline to file a discrimination claims depends on state law. It can range from 180 days to five years. Contact a local employment law attorney to find out how long you have to file your discrimination claim. Understanding Discrimination Claims It is illegal for employers to discriminate against …
How Long Do I Have To Sue for a Civil Rights Violation?
You only have a viable claim to sue for a civil rights violation if you file the right type of claim within the proper filing timeframe. Some constitutional violation claims require an administrative filing or waiting until you get a right-to-sue letter for federal court. State laws may require a notice of claim for government defendants before the lawsuit deadline, and the legal clock begins to run from the incident date. Civil rights claim types include Section 1983 for police misconduct or …
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Termination?
Wrongful termination is getting fired for an illegal reason, such as discrimination, retaliation, or violating an employment contract. If your employer wrongfully terminated you, you can file a claim to protect your employee rights. However, statutes of limitations only give you a certain amount of time to a wrongful termination claim. The time limits vary by state, but filing too late will mean you lose out on your legal rights. Contact an experienced attorney to find out how long you have to …
How Long Do I Have To File My Breach of Contract Lawsuit?
If someone breaks a contract with you, it can cost you time, money, and opportunities. And you may have a legal cause of action to recover compensation. However, there is a time limit, known as the statute of limitations, to file a breach of contract claim. Statutes of limitations vary by state. The time limit can be longer or shorter, depending on your situation. Contact a local contract lawyer for legal advice about how long you have to file a breach of contract case. Understanding Breach of …
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Property Damage?
The statute of limitations for property damage is the filing deadline for a lawsuit to recover compensation in a tort lawsuit or insurance claim. A defendant is liable for real or personal property damage caused by negligence or intentional harm. The legal time limit is typically one to five years, depending on the jurisdiction and nature of the real property damage. The lawsuit window runs from the date of the incident, but can be longer under the discovery rule. Compensation can include …
How Long Do I Have To Sue For an Injury Caused by My Defective Product?
When you buy a product from a store or online, you don't expect it to have defects that injure you. But unfortunately, thousands of people suffer injuries every year because of defective products. A product liability claim allows you to recover compensation for injuries caused by defective products. However, there is a strict time limit to file a personal injury claim. If you file your defective product claim too late, the court can dismiss your case, and you'll get nothing. Contact a local …
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