Montgomery County Workplace Discrimination Lawyer

Workplace Discrimination Lawyer, MD and DC

A workplace discrimination lawyer helps you work out whether an employer broke federal, Maryland, District of Columbia or Montgomery County law by treating you worse because of a protected characteristic, and which agency and deadline apply to you. These laws cover hiring, firing, pay, promotions and other terms of employment, and each one has its own filing window.

Sadiq Law Group handles workplace discrimination matters in Montgomery County, MD and Washington, DC from its Gaithersburg office. Attorney Abbas S. Sadiq reviews what happened, the documents you have and the dates involved, then explains your options in plain terms. This page is general legal information, not legal advice for your situation.

Call to Schedule Consultation +1-301-241-0110

Call to Schedule Consultation
+1-301-241-0110

Filing deadlines in discrimination matters are short and differ by agency. Federal employees generally have 45 days to contact an EEO counselor at their agency.

Who the Law Protects

Federal, Maryland and DC laws make it illegal for an employer to base job decisions on protected characteristics. These include:

Race, color, national origin and religion.
Sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Age (40 or older under federal law).
Disability and genetic information.
Marital status and military status under Maryland law.

Local laws go further. Montgomery County also lists ancestry and family responsibilities, and the DC Human Rights Act covers 18 traits in employment, including personal appearance and credit information.

How We Can Help

Each matter starts with the facts, the paperwork and the calendar. Here is what working with Sadiq Law Group on a workplace discrimination matter usually involves.

Case Review

We start by learning what happened and when, then compare the facts with the laws that may apply. A review usually covers:

The decision or treatment you are challenging.

Emails, reviews, pay records and other documents.

Which laws and agencies cover your employer and your claim.

Common situations we review include:

Termination or layoff

Denied promotion or unequal pay

Refusal to hire

Discipline or demotion

Denied disability accommodation

Pregnancy-related treatment

Agency Complaints

Many claims must go to a government agency before they can go to court. We help prepare and file the complaint with the right office, which may be:

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR)

Montgomery County Office of Human Rights

District of Columbia Office of Human Rights (OHR)

Negotiation and Mediation

Many discrimination matters are resolved without a trial. The DC Office of Human Rights mediates every case, and the Montgomery County office offers mediation to both sides once an inquiry is accepted.

Our work at this stage includes:

Preparing you for mediation sessions

Presenting the facts and documents that support your position

Reviewing any settlement or severance terms offered

Explaining what a release means before you sign

Federal Employees and Court

Federal employees follow a separate process that starts with an EEO counselor at their agency. Private-sector claims may move to court once the agency steps the law requires are complete.

Our services include:

Guiding federal employees through EEO counseling

Preparing formal agency complaints

Requesting a hearing before an EEOC Administrative Judge

Representing clients in court when a lawsuit is the next step

Deadlines to Know in Maryland and DC

Each agency has its own time limit, generally counted from the date of the discriminatory act. Missing it can end a claim, so check your dates early.

EEOC

180 days, or 300 days where a state or local agency enforces a similar law.

Maryland (MCCR)

300 days for most complaints; 2 years for harassment complaints.

Washington, DC (OHR)

One year from the act, or from its discovery, to file with the office.

Federal Employees

Generally 45 days to contact an EEO counselor at your agency.

Workplace Discrimination FAQ

How long do I have to file a discrimination complaint in Maryland?

Under Maryland law, a complaint about an unlawful employment practice other than harassment must be filed with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights within 300 days of the act, and a harassment complaint within 2 years. An EEOC charge is generally due within 180 calendar days, extended to 300 days where a state or local agency enforces a law against the same discrimination. See the EEOC’s time limits page and the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights.

How long do I have to file in Washington, DC?

A complaint must be filed with the DC Office of Human Rights within one year of the discriminatory act or its discovery. District government employees must first consult an EEO counselor within 180 calendar days. The DC Human Rights Act also allows a private lawsuit, which generally must be filed within 2 years.

Does my employer have to be a certain size?

It depends on the law. Federal law covers employers with 15 or more employees for most claims and 20 or more for age claims. Maryland’s law generally applies to employers with 15 or more employees, and to employers with one or more employees when the complaint alleges harassment. The DC Human Rights Act’s definition of an employer has no minimum number of employees.

Can my employer punish me for reporting discrimination?

No. Federal law makes it illegal for an employer to retaliate against a person for complaining about discrimination, filing a charge, or taking part in an employment discrimination investigation or lawsuit.

Do I have to file with an agency before going to court?

Usually, yes. For most federal claims you file an EEOC charge first and then have 90 days to sue after receiving a Notice of Right to Sue. In Maryland, a court case generally requires a timely administrative complaint, at least 180 days since it was filed, and a filing within 2 years of the act (3 years for harassment). Equal Pay Act claims can be filed in court without a charge.

Last updated November 12, 2026. This page is general legal information, not legal advice.

Talk With a Workplace Discrimination Lawyer in Gaithersburg

If you think you were treated unfairly at work because of a protected characteristic, write down dates, names and what was said, and keep copies of reviews, emails and pay records. Sadiq Law Group meets with clients at 555 Quince Orchard Road, Suite 280, Gaithersburg, MD 20878.

Call 301-241-0110 to schedule a consultation, or read more about our Employment practice, EEOC claims and Wrongful Termination.