An Ohio Discrimination and Civil Rights Law Firm

Last updated on December 23, 2025

At Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC in Columbus, we focus exclusively on employment law and civil rights cases. We are one of very few law firms in Ohio dedicated solely to protecting Ohio employees. When you seek our help, you get the chance to tell your story to someone who truly cares about your problems and listens. We want to make a difference in your life. Our experienced attorneys are here to help you understand your rights and protect your future.

The Complexities of Labor and Employment Law

When your employer treats you unfairly, state and federal laws protect you. These laws cover a wide range of issues you may face in the workplace. Our goal is to inform and assist you with your rights as an employee. We work to help you recover lost wages and ensure fair treatment.

We help clients with many labor and employment matters, including:

• Enforcing your rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which allows covered employees to take protected leave
• Taking action against sexual harassment, unwanted conduct and hostile work environments
• Recovering pay you earned, including unpaid overtime and minimum wage violations
• Challenging wrongful layoffs or mass terminations in Reduction in Force (RIF) actions

We will answer your questions about your pay, working conditions or leave rights and assess your situation. We act quickly to help you secure the compensation and justice you deserve under Ohio and federal laws. You should not have to face workplace injustice alone.

Fighting Workplace Discrimination and Unfair Treatment

Discrimination occurs when an employer treats employees differently because of specific, protected characteristics. These actions are illegal under both Ohio and federal civil rights laws. We protect employees from unfair treatment based on who they are. We listen to your story and challenge these harmful practices.

We represent clients who have suffered from all types of unlawful workplace discrimination, including:

• Unfair treatment or firing because of your age in age discrimination claims.
• An employer’s failure to provide reasonable accommodations or firing you due to a disability in disability discrimination claims.
• Unequal treatment based on your racial background in racial discrimination claims.
• Unfair or unaccommodating treatment based on your religious beliefs in religious discrimination claims.
• Different treatment based on your sex, gender identity or sexual orientation in sex discrimination claims.
• Mistreatment or unfair job actions related to pregnancy or childbirth in pregnancy discrimination claims.

Discrimination can feel isolating, but you have the right to a fair workplace. We meticulously gather evidence and fight to hold employers accountable for violations. We help you pursue justice and recover damages for the harm you suffered.

Challenging Wrongful Termination in Ohio

Ohio has laws that prohibit employers from firing a worker for illegal reasons. If you believe your employer terminated you in violation of an agreement or public policy, you may have a wrongful termination claim. We investigate the circumstances of your firing to determine if your rights were violated.

We focus our wrongful termination practice on:

• Challenging firings that violate state or federal law in wrongful termination claims.
• We review how your employer conducted internal workplace investigations that lead to your termination.
• We evaluate negative actions in the workplace to determine if your employer engaged in wrongful retaliation.

Your employer must follow the law when they terminate your job. We work hard to prove the termination was illegal. We provide the strong legal representation you need to fight back against a wrongful firing.

Reviewing and Negotiating Employment Agreements

Many professional jobs require you to sign various documents, including contracts and severance agreements. These employment agreements outline the terms of your job, your benefits and what happens if you leave the company. You need to understand every detail before you sign these important documents.

Our attorneys help clients with a variety of employment agreements, including:

• Analyzing the terms of your employment contract before you accept a new job
• Reviewing noncompete agreements that try to restrict where you can work next
• Negotiating the terms of your departure in a severance or separation agreement to protect your financial future

Do not sign any important employment document without legal review. We explain the legal implications simply and clearly. We negotiate the best possible terms for you, protecting your career and your rights down the road. In addition, if you believe your employer breached your agreement or is accusing you of breaching your employment contract, we can help.

Holding Agencies Accountable for Civil Rights Violations

Federal and state laws guarantee that citizens receive fair treatment from government entities. When law enforcement or other state agencies violate these rights, you need a powerful advocate. We stand up for your fundamental constitutional rights against powerful institutions.

We represent individuals in civil rights cases involving:

• Police misconduct claims that involve excessive force, unlawful searches or false arrests by law enforcement
• Malicious prosecution cases when officials pursue a criminal case against you without probable cause

These are often complex cases. We build a meticulous case to seek justice and compensation for the damage caused by government overreach. We ensure your voice is heard and your rights are upheld.

Consult Our Columbus Employment and Civil Rights Lawyers

If you are facing a challenge at work or feel your civil rights have been violated, we can help you understand your situation. We will explain your legal options and develop a strategy designed to protect your future.

To schedule an appointment, call us at 614-762-9727. You can also send us a message through our website.