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Biography
The Diederich Law Office focuses on helping victims of illegality and bias in employment and civil rights cases, particularly wrongful termination and job discrimination cases, and negotiating severance packages. Cases include wrongful discrimination based upon age, gender / sex, national origin, race, pregnancy or disability.
I also served as a "citizen soldier" (US Army reservist), with tours of duty in the combat zones of Iraq (2004-05) and Afghanistan (2012), as an Army lawyer. I retired in the rank of lieutenant colonel.
We handle cases from Long Island, through New York City and into the Hudson Valley up to Albany and Western Massachusetts.
In 2020, Mike Diederich recovered the largest jury verdict in a civil rights case in the Northeastern United States, as reported in the New York Law Journal. See, Anderson v. Osborn et al. (SDNY).
Education
- Lewis & Clark Law School
- J.D.
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- University of Vermont
- B.S. | Environmental Science
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- Elisabeth Haub School of Law - Pace University
- LL.M. | Master of Laws
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- US Army Command and General Staff College
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- US Army Judge Advocate General's School
- Army JAG School-- basic and advanced schools
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Professional Experience
- Attorney
- Diederich Law Office
- Current
- Diederich Law Office
- Current
- The Diederich Law Office handles employment law and civil rights matters for individuals. In February 2020, Attorney Mike Diederich recovered a $650,000 jury verdict for his client. This was the highest civil rights verdict recovered in the Northeastern United States in 2020, as reported by the NY Law Journal.
- Diederich Law Office
- Current
- The Diederich Law Office handles employment law and civil rights matters for individuals. In February 2020, Attorney Mike Diederich recovered a $650,000 jury verdict for his client. This was the highest civil rights verdict recovered in the Northeastern United States in 2020, as reported by the NY Law Journal.
- Principal Attorney
- Diederich Law Office
- - Current
- Except during periods of active governmental service (e.g., 1 year duty as US Army Lawyer in Iraq), I have focused on representing individuals in employment, civil rights and environmental cases. I have also been active in public interest and taxpayer litigation, and influenced the US Supreme Court in environmental/constitutional law. My private practice focuses on employment discrimination and civil rights.
Awards
- Bronze Star Medal
- US Army
- Bronze Star Medal -- awarded for military service as an Army "JAG" lawyer in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Professional Associations
- National Employment Lawyers Association
- Member
- Current
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- NY State Bar Association
- Civil Rights Committe -- appointed member
- Current
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- Rockland County Bar Association
- Current
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- Orange County (NY) Bar Association
- Current
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Massachusetts
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- New York
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- 2nd Circuit
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- U.S. Supreme Court
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- US Army Court of Military Appeals
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Fees
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Free Consultation
Free telephone consultation. -
Contingent Fees
I often handle an individual's case on a contingency fee basis, sometimes with a partial fee. -
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
Prior results do not guarantee future success. Each case stands on its own merits. I enjoy representing victims of wrongdoing or bias.
Practice Areas
- Appeals & Appellate
- Civil Appeals, Federal Appeals
- Civil Rights
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Discrimination, Employment, Fair Housing, Police Misconduct, Privacy Law
- Employment Law
- Employee Benefits, Employment Contracts, Employment Discrimination, ERISA, Overtime & Unpaid Wages, Sexual Harassment, Whistleblower, Wrongful Termination
- Environmental Law
- Gov & Administrative Law
- Administrative Law, Election Law, Government Contracts, Government Finance, Legislative & Government Affairs
- Medical Malpractice
- Birth Injury, Medical Misdiagnosis, Pharmacy Errors, Surgical Errors
Additional Practice Area
- Constitutional Law
Languages
- English: Spoken, Written
Legal Answers
- Q. A day before vacation I got sick. saw a doctor and got a note. my work wanted me back since i already was on meds.
- A: Whether you might have protection under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or similar state or municipal law is very fact-specific.
If you had (or faked) a minor illness the day before departing for vacation (and were well enough to go on vacation), your employer, or an outside observer (e.g., a court or jury), might be justifiably skeptical.
- Q. Can I be fired because I wasn’t able to come in to work due to quarantine in New York State?
- A: Depending on the size of the employer and your length of employment, you may be protected by the federal Family Medical Leave Act, as well by parallel state or municipal law.
It would have been responsible--indeed, immoral-- for you to go to work while contagious with Covid-19. it may have been unlawful for your employer to have required this, especially if you do not work alone.
You should consult with a lawyer.
- Q. I was terminated after my son took his life and they lied so I'd be denied unemploy. Do I have a case?
- A: Sad story. Unfortunately, statutes of limitations are controlling, and only in rare instances can be avoided.
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