Five Ways to Get an Attorney to Call You Back
You’ve been fired or pushed out because of your race or gender or other protected class status, or after speaking up about sexual harassment, discrimination - that's retaliation. You start contacting attorneys, hoping for help, but no one gets back to you. It's frustrating and it can feel personal.
It isn’t. Most employment firms get more messages a week then they can respond to. The ones that get a quick response share one thing in common: clarity and a lack of red flags.
Here’s how to make your story stand out and get a call back.
1. Lead With What Happened—Not How It Felt
Start with the facts. Attorneys need to know what happened, where, and when before they can evaluate your case.
Include:
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Your full name and contact information (email, and phone at minimum)
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The employer’s name (Do not leave this out - lawyers need to do conflict checks)
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Your job title, wage or salary, and start/end dates
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What you reported or objected to
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What happened afterward (discipline, isolation, termination)
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The date it ended
Lawyers do care how the discrimination or sexual harassment effected you, but don't start there. You can share about that once you connect, but the first message should be about making the basic facts and timeline clear.
2. Keep It Short, but Complete
You don’t need a long story to make an impact. A few direct sentences are plenty.
Example:
“I worked as a nurse at [Hospital] from 2020–2024. After I reported inappropriate (racist, sexist, homophobic, or sexual) comments from my supervisor, I was (written up, put on a PIP, left out of meetings, isolated, demoted). I was terminated last month and would like to discuss my options.”
That’s enough to let a lawyer see the outline and urgency of your situation.
3. If in Doubt Don't Attach
If you have evidence, great—just don't attach it ALL to your submission. You don't know if the attorney you are contacting has a conflict. Keep all confidential documents confidential - don't send to anyone until they are requested.
What you can send: a short timeline with dates and events. Mention that you have supporting texts or emails available if needed.
Avoid sending dozens of screenshots or or documents - again keep it all organized so you can provide it when asked.
Being organized makes it easier for the lawyer to step in quickly if you find a match.
4. Follow Up Once, Politely
If you haven’t heard back in a week or two, send one calm follow-up:
“Hi—just checking to make sure my message came through. I’m still hoping to connect about my termination from [Company]. Thank you for your time.”
That’s it. You’ll pop back to the top of the inbox without sounding throwing any red flags.
5. Remember, It’s About Fit—Not Worth
A lack of response doesn’t mean your case isn’t valid.
Small plaintiff-side firms balance heavy caseloads, tight deadlines, and jurisdiction limits. For example, I don't usually work on federal cases, so if you work for an out of state employer I likely wont take your case. Keep reaching out until you find someone whose work aligns with your situation.
Be patient and keep reaching out. The right attorney will respond—especially when your initial message is clear, concise, and matches their expertise and availability.
Bottom Line
Brevity (keep it short) and Clarity gets attention.
When you present your story in a way that’s organized and grounded in fact, you make it easier for an attorney to see what happened and if they can help.
If you believe you were sexually harassed, or fired or retaliated against because after reporting sexual harassment or discrimination in Washington state, I want to hear your story. You can contact this Seattle Employment attorney at Gainey Law PLLC.
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