Davis & Young, A Legal Professional Association
Providing Legal Solutions Since 1922!
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Protecting the rights of employees
throughout Ohio
Sexual Harassment | Sexual Discrimination | Ethnic Discrimination
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Trust the Cleveland law firm with 100 years of sexual harassment and discrimination experience.
No employee should have to suffer from sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, or ethnic discrimination in the workplace, but sadly these types of cases are astonishingly common.
Whether it’s an isolated incident or a pattern of misconduct, Davis & Young helps victims figure out the proper steps to report harassment or discrimination and take formal measures that protect their rights and stop the problem from happening in the future.
Clients from Northeast Ohio and beyond rely on us to provide high-quality legal representation enhanced by personalized service. When searching for the best sexual harassment lawyers or discrimination attorneys in Cleveland, know that our experience in these specialty areas is unmatched.
Our carefully selected team of talented lawyers, paralegals, and administrators is committed to our clients’ well-being and success. The sooner you speak with us, the quicker we can help rectify your situation.
Get expert advice from Dennis R. Fogerty

Dennis R. Fogerty
Member: Cleveland Metropolitan, Ohio State Bar, and National Lawyer Associations
Rated “AV” by Martindale Hubbell
Respected attorney Dennis Fogerty specializes in sexual harassment law, sexual discrimination law, and ethnic discrimination law. An Ohio native, Dennis earned his law degree from the Cleveland Marshall School of Law. He is a compassionate lawyer and fierce advocate for equality and fairness in the workplace.
Call us at 216-342-9358 to speak with Dennis, or click the button to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation with him.
Complete this form for a case evaluation by one of our compassionate and experienced lawyers.
Workplace Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment in the workplace is a serious problem. The negative consequences of harassment can be long-lasting and severe. Employees who experience sexual harassment are more likely to experience physical and mental health problems. They also face job-related costs, including decreased morale and job satisfaction, lower productivity, damage to interpersonal relationships at work, and even job loss.
If you feel you are the victim of workplace sexual harassment, the first step is to seek legal advice from a sexual harassment lawyer. At Davis & Young, we understand how distressing it is for victims to report their sexual harassment concerns. That’s why we approach each case with the utmost sensitivity. Sometimes there’s a clear-cut understanding of sexual misconduct. Other times, the boundaries are less defined. Let’s take a closer look at what constitutes sexual harassment.

What is Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment affects people across different genders, races, sexual orientations, socioeconomic statuses, and workplace settings. Forms of sexual harassment include:
- Unwelcome sexual advances, including touching or brushing against someone
- Requests for sexual favors
- Lewd or inappropriate jokes, remarks, texts, emails, or gestures
- Displays of offensive materials, objects, or images
- Repeatedly asking a person out on a date
- Leering behavior
- Exposing oneself or performing sexual acts on oneself
- Attempted or completed sexual assault
Federal and state laws prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace. If you are the victim of sexual harassment, you deserve to have a sexual harassment law firm on your side that will protect your rights and ensure justice is served.
Can employees be fired for filing a sexual harassment complaint?
An employer is obligated to investigate any sexual harassment complaint. Legally, you cannot be fired for making a formal sexual harassment claim. If you file a complaint and your employer retaliates in any way, you may have cause to file a lawsuit against them. Our sexual harassment lawyers can analyze actions such as disciplinary writeups, demotions, project exclusions, or termination to determine whether they are retaliatory in nature.

Should you file a lawsuit for sexual harassment?
There are pros and cons to challenging sexual harassment in court. At Davis & Young, our attorneys will carefully review your situation and advise you on what actions you can take if you are dissatisfied with your employer’s response to your sexual harassment claims. Many formal measures can occur before filing any lawsuit to achieve the desired outcome.
As experts in sexual harassment law, we can:
- Investigate the legal standards of your claim and identify any witnesses.
- Document your evidence and determine its impact on your well-being and work performance.
- Give you the confidence to file a well-documented complaint with your employer.
- Connect you with resources and prepare you for dealing with any future harassment.
- Monitor your employer’s response to ensure they do not retaliate against you.
- File a formal complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
- Attempt to reach a financial settlement with your employer.
- Assist with filing criminal charges or a civil lawsuit for damages if necessary.
If you have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, we are sorry for everything you are going through. Let us answer your questions and help steer you in the right direction. We never charge a fee for an initial case evaluation.
Sexual Discrimination in the Workplace
Federal and state sexual discrimination laws make it illegal for employers to discriminate against employees or applicants based on their sex, which includes their gender identity or expression, transgender status, sexual orientation, pregnancy or breastfeeding status.
Sexual discrimination may be perpetrated by company owners, managers, supervisors, human resources personnel, or coworkers. Harassers may also be third parties like customers, vendors, contractors, or independent consultants.

What are some examples of workplace sexual discrimination?
Sexual discrimination in the workplace refers to situations when a person is harassed or treated differently because of their sex, gender, and related traits or characteristics. Following are examples of sexual discrimination:
- Not promoting an employee or denying them a raise due to their sex or gender
- Paying men and women different rates for the same job responsibilities
- Making offensive or derogatory comments about someone’s sex or gender
- Treating an employee differently or subjecting them to less favorable conditions than their coworkers due to their sex or gender
- Wrongful termination after reporting a sexual discrimination incident
- Insisting on hiring men for certain positions and women for others
- Not hiring an applicant due to their sex or gender
Should you hire a sexual discrimination lawyer?
An employer must legally keep their workplace environment free from sexual discrimination practices. Depending on your circumstances, it may be necessary to file a claim with the EEOC so they can investigate the matter and determine whether a violation can occur.
Generally speaking, it can be difficult to navigate the complexities of a sexual discrimination claim against an employer. The right sexual discrimination law firm can help you feel validated, prepare a solid sexual discrimination legal case, and help you win the damages and justice you deserve.
Do you have questions about sexual discrimination in your workplace? Our friendly and dedicated experts are here to help. Call Davis & Young at 216-342-9358 to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation case evaluation.
Ethnic, Cultural, and Religious Discrimination at Work
Our cities are becoming more racially, ethnically, and religiously diverse in Ohio and the country. Despite companies implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives, racial and ethnic discrimination continues to plague workplace environments.
Some people fail to recognize the talents and benefits of an ethnically diverse workforce. Others are consciously or unconsciously biased against certain racial, ethnic, or religious groups. This inability to embrace people’s differences can lead to harmful discriminatory practices and behaviors.

What are examples of ethnic discrimination in the workplace?
It is illegal in the U.S. for employers to discriminate against employees based on their race, national origin, or religion. Many actions constitute ethnic discrimination, but some of the more common violations include the following:
- Denying an employee advancement because of their race, ethnicity, cultural, or religious traits
- Treating an employee poorly because of their ancestry, cultural attire, appearance, or accent
- Subjecting an employee to harassment based on their race/color/religion, including ethnic slurs, racial jokes, or derogatory comments
- Denying an employee fair compensation and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, such as benefits, training, or performance evaluations
- Any physical or intimidating contact that creates a hostile environment
- Segregation of minority employees
- Retaliation for reporting or opposing workplace ethnic discrimination practices
- Failing to hire someone because of their place of birth
Davis & Young – A reputable ethnic discrimination lawyer in Ohio.
When you are suffering ethnic, cultural, or religious discrimination in your workplace, time is of the essence. Reach out to Davis & Young’s experienced ethnic discrimination lawyers today to schedule a free initial consultation. We’ll help you understand all aspects of ethnicity discrimination law, and we will fight hard to protect your rights and interests.
Davis & Young is here to help. Call 216-342-9358 or email us at dy@davisyoung.com today to discuss your employment concerns and become empowered by our services.

Davis & Young
A Legal Professional Association
dy@davisyoung.com
35000 Chardon Rd.
Suite 100
Willoughby Hills, Ohio 44094
www.davisyoung.com