Georgia Employment Lawyers

Employment law are those laws passed in Georgia that apply to employers, employees and independent contractors. These laws apply to every aspect of workplace endeavors, such as hiring practices, wage disputes, and firing of employees. Georgia's employment laws set forth specific mandates that need to be understood by both employers and employees.

At-Will and Contract Employment

Most job relationships in Georgia are on the basis of "at will" employment, but in other cases there may be an employment contract with a specific term. "At will" employment implies that either the employee or the employer may end the relationship at any point, so long as the reason for the termination is not unlawful. In instances involving an employment contract, Georgia employment law will be used to determine the validity of the clauses contained in the agreement.

The Law of Discrimination in Georgia

The laws of Georgia in general prohibit discrimination. These laws apply to all stages of employment, ranging from the hiring procedure to the termination process. The laws of Georgia create various categories against which employers may not discriminate. These may include religion, national origin, age, gender, disability, and race. Lawyers who specialize in workplace discrimination in Georgia can help clarify when behavior may be considered employment discrimination.

Interesting Facts About Georgia

Georgia is the last of the 13 original colonies and the fourth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. A prominent southern state, Georgia is known for its culture of "southern hospitality". Georgia has nearly 160 counties, the second most for any state in the U.S. It is has of the fastest-growing economies and the 9th largest population in America.

Georgia is nicknamed "The Peach State". It is sometimes referred to as "The Empire State of the South", in reference to its role as an important hub for commerce and trade. Georgia's zoning laws are very unique among states, as any incorporated town or community is granted the legal status of a city. Cities and counties are granted "home rule" power, which means that they can pass legislation as any traditional municipality would.

Georgia's highest court of law is the Supreme Court of Georgia. Below the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals levels, the court system of Georgia is quite complex. There are Superior Courts, State Courts, Magistrate Courts, Municipal Courts, and many others. Each of these hears different types of legal claims. Georgia has contributed much case law in the area of capital punishment and death penalty laws, some examples being Furman v. Georgia (1972) and Coker v. Georgia (1977).

Lawyers in Georgia can provide guidance in dealing with the state's complicated web of courts. Georgia laws can also be complicated, but a Georgia lawyer can provide advice and representation in court when necessary. Georgia attorneys are often members of various civic organizations and bar associations.