If you were fired and something about it felt illegal, you need to know fast whether you have a case. Nevada is an at-will state, so most firings are legal, but firing someone for an illegal reason - discrimination, retaliation, or in breach of a contract - is not. The Reno employment lawyers below work that line every day, and most will tell you in a free consultation whether your termination crossed it.
Updated January 28, 202612 min readEditorially independent
Nevada is an at-will employment state, which means an employer can let you go for almost any reason, or no reason, without warning. But there are real exceptions, and they are where a wrongful termination case lives. You cannot be fired because of your race, sex, age, disability, religion, or national origin; you cannot be fired in retaliation for reporting harassment, filing a workers' comp claim, taking protected leave, or refusing to break the law; and you cannot be fired in a way that breaks a written contract or violates Nevada public policy. A Reno employment lawyer's first job is to figure out which exception, if any, fits your firing.
Most wrongful termination claims in Nevada run through the Nevada Equal Rights Commission or the federal EEOC, which usually means filing a charge with one of those agencies before you can sue. The deadlines are short - often 180 to 300 days from the firing - so waiting is the most common way people lose an otherwise strong case. Nevada also recognizes 'tortious discharge,' a claim for being fired in violation of public policy, such as for refusing to do something illegal, which a lawyer can evaluate alongside the statutory claims.
Fees vary by firm and case. Some Reno employment lawyers work on contingency, taking a percentage only if they recover for you; others charge hourly, roughly $300 to $500; and some blend the two. Many of the firms below offer a free or low-cost initial consultation. Bring your termination letter, your offer letter or handbook, recent performance reviews, and any emails or texts that show the real reason you were let go.
How we picked these 7: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Reno-area wrongful termination practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Law Office of Mark Mausert (Mausert & Oldham)
Reno, NV40 yearsConsultation available
Practice focus: Wrongful termination, sexual and racial harassment, discrimination, retaliation
A Reno employment firm where Mark Mausert has practiced for about 40 years, focused on harassment, discrimination, and wrongful termination for northern Nevada workers, at 729 Evans Ave. Listed on the firm site, Super Lawyers, and Avvo.
Why they made the list: One of northern Nevada's best-known employee-side advocates, a strong fit when wrongful termination overlaps with harassment or discrimination.
Practice focus: Wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, employment disputes
A Reno firm recognized among the area's top wrongful termination practices, representing employees in discrimination and retaliation claims. Listed on the firm site, Super Lawyers, and LawInfo.
Why they made the list: An established Reno employee-side option with strong client reviews for wrongful termination work.
Practice focus: Wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, wage disputes
A Reno firm listed among the area's top wrongful termination practices, handling employee discrimination, retaliation, and wage claims. Listed on the firm site, Super Lawyers, and LawInfo.
Why they made the list: A focused Reno employment practice for workers who want a smaller firm's attention on their claim.
Practice focus: Wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation
A Reno employment firm recognized among the area's top wrongful termination practices, representing employees across northern Nevada. Listed on the firm site, Super Lawyers, and LawInfo.
Why they made the list: A Reno option for employees who want an employment-focused firm handling termination and harassment claims.
Practice focus: Wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, employment law
A Reno firm listed among the area's top wrongful termination practices, handling employee-side employment disputes. Listed on the firm site, Super Lawyers, and LawInfo.
Why they made the list: A long-standing Reno name for employees navigating wrongful termination and discrimination claims.
Reno, NVEmployment & family lawConsultation available
Practice focus: Wrongful termination, employment disputes, discrimination
A Reno firm that handles employment matters including wrongful termination alongside its family-law practice. Listed on the firm site, Super Lawyers, and LegalMatch.
Why they made the list: A Reno firm useful when an employment problem overlaps with other personal legal needs.
Practice focus: Wrongful termination, employment litigation, discrimination, retaliation
A Reno trial firm with attorneys versed in Nevada employment law, handling wrongful termination claims including discrimination-based terminations. Listed on the firm site and legal directories.
Why they made the list: A trial-oriented firm for wrongful termination cases that look headed for litigation rather than a quiet settlement.
Tell us what happened and when you were let go, and we'll match you with a Reno wrongful termination attorney who can tell you whether your firing crossed a legal line. Free, confidential, no obligation.
How to choose between them in Reno
Match the firm to your deadline first. If you were fired recently, the Nevada Equal Rights Commission and EEOC deadlines (often 180 to 300 days) matter more than anything else. Ask each firm whether your window is still open before you compare anything else.
Ask how they get paid on your case. Some Reno firms take wrongful termination on contingency, some hourly, some a blend. Contingency aligns the lawyer with your recovery; hourly can make sense when damages are uncertain. Get the structure in writing.
Look for candor, not promises. A strong wrongful termination case has a specific illegal reason behind it. The best Reno employment lawyers will tell you honestly if your firing was unfair but legal, rather than running up fees on a claim that cannot win.
What wrongful termination help typically costs in Reno
Wrongful termination representation in Reno is priced a few different ways, depending on the firm and the strength of the case:
Free consultation: Many of the firms above review your situation at no charge and tell you whether you have a viable claim.
Contingency fee: Commonly around one-third of any recovery, paid only if you win or settle, usually with no fee if you lose - ask about case costs.
Hourly fee: Roughly $300 to $500 per hour in the Reno market, sometimes with a retainer, more typical when damages are uncertain.
Costs: Filing fees, depositions, and experts are separate from the attorney fee. Confirm who advances them and whether you repay from any recovery.
Because fee structures differ so much, compare two or three Reno firms on both the fee and their candid read of your odds before you sign anything.
How long it takes
A wrongful termination claim in Nevada moves in stages, and the early deadlines are the ones that bite:
Agency charge: You generally must file with the Nevada Equal Rights Commission or the EEOC first, often within 180 to 300 days of the firing. This step is not optional for most discrimination claims.
Investigation: The agency reviews the charge and may try to resolve it. This commonly takes several months and can end with a right-to-sue letter.
Lawsuit: If the case is not resolved, your lawyer can file suit in Nevada court. Discovery, motions, and settlement talks typically run a year or more.
Resolution: Many cases settle before trial. Those that go to trial take longer, and outcomes depend heavily on the specific facts and the judge.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a wrongful termination lawyer in Reno
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many wrongful termination matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Reno consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most wrongful termination matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted Wrongful Termination attorney in Reno
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about wrongful termination lawyers in Reno
Was my firing in Reno actually illegal?
Nevada is at-will, so most firings are legal even if they feel unfair. A firing becomes wrongful termination when the real reason was illegal - discrimination, retaliation, breach of a contract, or being fired in violation of public policy (a 'tortious discharge'). A free consultation is the fastest way to find out which side of that line your case falls on.
How long do I have to file a wrongful termination claim in Nevada?
Short and strict. Most discrimination-based claims require filing a charge with the Nevada Equal Rights Commission or the EEOC, often within 180 to 300 days of the termination. Missing the deadline can end an otherwise strong case, which is why lawyers urge you to call early.
How much does a wrongful termination lawyer cost in Reno?
It depends on the firm. Many take these cases on contingency, charging roughly a third of any recovery only if you win. Others charge hourly, commonly $300 to $500, sometimes with a retainer. Many offer a free or low-cost first consultation.
What is a tortious discharge in Nevada?
It is a claim for being fired in violation of Nevada public policy - for example, being fired for refusing to do something illegal, for filing a workers' comp claim, or for performing a legal duty like jury service. It is a separate path from the discrimination statutes, and a Reno lawyer can tell you whether it fits.
Can I be fired for reporting harassment or filing workers' comp?
No. Firing someone in retaliation for a protected activity - reporting discrimination or harassment, filing a workers' comp claim, or whistleblowing - is illegal in Nevada even though the state is at-will. Retaliation claims are among the most common wrongful termination cases.
What can I recover if I win?
Depending on the claim, recovery can include back pay, front pay, lost benefits, emotional distress damages, and sometimes punitive damages and attorney fees. The realistic range depends on your salary, how long you were out of work, and the strength of the evidence.
Do I have to go to court?
Often not. Many wrongful termination matters resolve through the agency process or a negotiated settlement. If yours proceeds to a lawsuit, your lawyer handles the filings and court appearances, and a large share still settle before trial.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
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