Losing a job, facing harassment, or being shorted on pay can upend your income and your career. An employment lawyer in Clifton, NJ can tell you whether your employer violated the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, the Conscientious Employee Protection Act, or state wage laws, and what your claim may be worth. Led by attorney Sara Jacobs, Cowen & Jacobs has represented employees throughout Passaic and Bergen counties for more than 35 years.
As a women-owned firm, we focus on careful preparation and holding employers accountable under New Jersey and federal law.
"I highly recommend this law firm. They are extremely knowledgeable, straight to the point, and truly get the job done."
Clifton sits on the Passaic-Bergen line, and many of our clients here work across it, for employers in Paterson, Passaic, Garfield, or the corporate offices of Bergen County. We handle claims wherever your job is based, including:
What a claim is worth depends on what you lost and which law was violated. Recoveries generally fall into these categories:
After a termination, you are expected to look for comparable work, and failing to do so can reduce your recovery. Keep a record of every application and interview.
Until we talk, protect your case:
Filing deadlines in employment cases are short, and they differ by claim:
Unlike federal claims, NJLAD claims can go straight to court with no agency filing first. Acting early also preserves evidence and witness memories.
Consultations are free, and we confirm the fee arrangement in writing before any work begins. Discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination claims may be handled on contingency, while severance and contract reviews are usually billed hourly.
NJLAD, CEPA, and New Jersey wage laws also let employees who win recover attorney’s fees from the employer, which adds pressure to settle.
Most claims we bring rely on these statutes:
Our approach is shaped by years on the neutral side of the table, so we build each case around how judges and arbitrators actually weigh claims. We do it from our Hackensack employment law office at Court Plaza South, a short drive from Clifton.
New Jersey lets you file where the claim arose or where either party lives. A Clifton resident let go by an employer in Paramus can often sue in Passaic County, in Paterson, or in Bergen County, in Hackensack. We weigh which venue better serves your case.
Yes. CEPA specifically protects licensed healthcare professionals who object to or report improper quality of patient care. Discipline or termination for doing so can support a retaliation claim.
Possibly. Under New Jersey’s WARN Act, employers with 100 or more employees generally owe one week of severance per full year of service when 50 or more workers are laid off. Read any release carefully, since signing it may waive other claims.
Only if the non-compete is reasonable. New Jersey courts enforce these agreements only to protect a legitimate business interest, and only if limited in time, geography, and scope. We helped a Mahwah employee bound by an onerous restrictive covenant leave for a competitor.
Public employees are covered by NJLAD and CEPA just like private workers. NJLAD claims against a public employer generally do not require the 90-day tort claims notice, and a union grievance does not necessarily replace a lawsuit.
Call or Fill Out The Form Below to Schedule Your Consultation
Are you ready to get started on your case with a consultation? With over 35 years of experience, our attorneys are ready to fight for you. Reach out to us today to see what Cowen & Jacobs can do for you.
NOTICE: The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.
Barbara Cowen has practiced in New Jersey since 1981, starting as a law clerk in the Superior Court, Law Division, in Bergen County, where employment lawsuits are heard. When a firing or severance package changes child support or alimony obligations, her family law practice lets Clifton clients handle both sides of that change under one roof.
Sara Jacobs, admitted in New Jersey since 1984, leads the firm’s employment practice, handling wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment, and severance negotiations. Her years as an arbitrator, including 14 at the Bergen County Superior Court and independent work on employment disputes, are why she often resolves cases through mediation before they reach a courtroom in Paterson or Hackensack. She also speaks Yiddish, which helps clients from the Orthodox communities of Clifton and neighboring Passaic.
A termination meeting or severance offer often comes with pressure to decide fast. Call us before you sign, resign, or file anything, and we will tell you exactly where you stand.
We are here for you and ready to help you resolve your legal issue. For a consultation discussing your case, call Cowen & Jacobs today.
Attorney Advertising. The transmission and receipt of information contained on this website, in whole or in part through this website, does not constitute or create a lawyer-client relationship between Cowen & Jacobs and any recipient.