Workplace discrimination
Counsel for discrimination based on protected characteristics, including race, sex, religion, disability, age, and other protected status.
Services
A steady hand for hard workplace questions.
Representation and practical guidance for individuals, civil-rights counsel, and compliance support for small businesses and nonprofits.
Employee-first representation
Whatever the issue, start with what happened.
No two work situations are exactly alike. We begin by understanding the facts, your priorities, and the timing, then explain where the law may offer a path forward. If your matter is outside our focus, we will be candid about that, too.
Retaliation
Guidance when reporting concerns, participating in an investigation, or asserting workplace rights is followed by adverse treatment.
Wrongful termination
A careful review of the circumstances, relevant documents, and potential options after a job ends.
Wage-and-hour matters
Help with unpaid wages, overtime, misclassification, and other pay concerns.
Accommodations & leave
Support requesting or negotiating reasonable accommodations for medical, religious, pregnancy-related, or family needs, including a letter to your employer.
Workplace investigations
For employees under internal investigation or responding to HR complaints: consultation, document review, and preparation for interviews or written responses.
EEOC & state agency claims
Drafting and filing a charge of discrimination, working with the investigator, replying to the employer’s position statement, and representation in agency mediation.
Contracts & severance
Review of employment agreements with a written memo of key risks, and severance review for unlawful or unfavorable terms with attorney negotiation.
Civil rights
When your rights are on the line outside of work, too.
The firm handles select civil-rights matters, drawing on experience with constitutional claims, government questioning, and discrimination in travel and public spaces. Tell us what happened and we will let you know whether we can help.
Ongoing employment counsel
Continuous guidance for professionals working through performance management, workplace conflict, or a possible termination.
Know your rights presentations
One-hour live or virtual workshops for employees, affinity groups, and community organizations, with Q&A. Nonprofit discounts may be available.
Religious accommodation training
Interactive training for employers, HR teams, and leadership on federal, state, and local accommodation requirements.
Support for organizations, too
Good workplace practices start before a problem.
Small businesses
Practical employment compliance support designed for lean teams that need a trusted legal resource.
Explore business counselNonprofits
Thoughtful counsel that understands the resource realities and people-centered missions of nonprofit organizations.
Explore organizational counselCommon questions
Before you reach out.
General information only. Every situation is different, and nothing here is legal advice for your matter.
Does contacting SG Law make me a client?
No. Calling, emailing, or submitting a form does not create an attorney-client relationship. Representation begins only after a written engagement agreement is signed, so please share only the essentials until then.
Where can SG Law represent me?
Zanah Ghalawanji is licensed in the District of Columbia and Michigan and has appeared in federal courts including the District of Columbia, the District of Maryland, and the Western District of Texas. If your matter falls outside that reach, we will tell you candidly.
Is there a deadline to file a discrimination complaint?
Usually, yes. Charges with the EEOC generally must be filed within 180 days of the discriminatory act, extended to 300 days in many places with a state or local agency, and other claims have their own limits. Deadlines vary by claim, so it is worth speaking with an attorney early.
Can you review a severance agreement before I sign it?
Yes. We review severance terms for compliance with federal and state law, flag unlawful or unfavorable provisions, and can negotiate with your employer on your behalf.
Do I need my documents organized before a consultation?
No. A short description of what happened and when it began is enough to start. We will tell you which documents matter once we understand your situation.
Do you offer consultations in Arabic or Spanish?
Zanah is fluent in Arabic and conversant in Spanish, and consultations can take place by phone or video.
Do you work with employers?
Yes, with small businesses, startups, and nonprofits that want practical help with contracts, handbooks, policies, and workplace decisions before a problem grows.
One thoughtful next step
Tell us what is going on.
A first conversation can help you understand the issues and decide whether SG Law is the right fit.