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Montana advocates who fight.
Negotiators who close.

Thurgood’s authorized representatives know the agencies, the deadlines and the process, and settle disputes the way businesses do: directly, quickly, and for far less.

Get a free evaluation
  • Free consultation
  • Small retainer, then nothing unless you’re paid
  • Private and confidential
Your case in MontanaFull process
  1. 1

    Free evaluation and consultation

    Before you hire us
  2. 2

    We negotiate with your employer

    4–12 weeks Most cases end here
  3. 3

    If needed, we file with the agency

    Before your deadline EEOCWHDOSHA
  4. 4

    Resolution

    If a settlement is reached, payment usually follows within ~30 days
Overview

You shouldn’t have to take on your employer alone.

Most workplace disputes don’t end in a courtroom. They end in a deal. What matters is having someone who knows the rules and knows how to get to yes.

We aren’t a law firm. Agencies let workers choose a non-attorney to represent them, and that’s what keeps our process simpler, faster and cheaper than hiring a lawyer. We start by negotiating directly with your employer. If they won’t settle, we file with the agency and stay with you to the end.

Where we can file

Where Thurgood is authorized to represent you in Montana

Your situation may involve other laws and agencies too. These are the claims and agencies where Thurgood is authorized to file and represent you in Montana. The free evaluation tells you whether yours is one of them.

ClaimAgencyAuthorized by

Discrimination

Treated worse because of race, sex, disability, age, religion, pregnancy or national origin, or punished for complaining about it.

EEOCU.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
29 C.F.R. § 1601.7(a) A charge … may be made by or on behalf of any person claiming to be aggrieved. A charge on behalf of a person claiming to be aggrieved may be made by any person, agency, or organization.
HRBMontana Human Rights Bureau (co-filed)
42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(c)

Your charge will be co-filed with the Montana Human Rights Bureau, preserving your rights and options under Montana law.

Family and medical leave

Denied leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act, or punished for taking it.

WHDU.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
29 C.F.R. § 825.400(a)(1)Wage and Hour Division, Third-Party Complaints The employee has the choice of: (1) Filing, or having another person file on his or her behalf, a complaint with the Secretary of Labor.

Workplace safety retaliation

Punished for reporting a hazard or an injury, or for refusing dangerous work.

OSHAU.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (federal)
OSHA CPL 02-03-011 Designated Representative: A person designated by the Complainant … to represent the Complainant … in OSHA’s investigation of a whistleblower complaint.

Financial, fraud and environmental whistleblowing

Punished for reporting violations of the other federal laws OSHA enforces, such as fraud, financial misconduct or pollution.

OSHAU.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (federal)
OSHA CPL 02-03-011 Designated Representative: A person designated by the Complainant … to represent the Complainant … in OSHA’s investigation of a whistleblower complaint.
How it works

From first call to final payment

What we handle, what we need from you, and roughly how long each step takes. The consultation is free and comes before you decide to hire us. Dashed steps only happen if your employer won’t settle.

  1. Before you hire us
  2. 01

    Free consultation call

    ~20 min + possible follow-up

    Before you hire anyone, talk it through with a Thurgood representative. You tell us what happened; we tell you plainly whether we can help and what we’d go after. No obligation.

    Your partHave dates, names and anything in writing handy.
  3. After you hire us
  4. 02

    Signing on

    1–2 days

    If we’re a fit, you sign a representation agreement and pay a small retainer. After that, you owe nothing more unless we get you a settlement.

    Your partSign, then send us your documents.
  5. 03

    Negotiating with your employer

    4–12 weeks

    Within 3 business days your employer gets our written demand. Then we negotiate it like any business deal. You never have to sit across from HR.

    Your partWeigh in on offers. You make the final call.
    Most cases end here
  6. 04

    Filing your charge

    1–2 weeks

    If they won’t settle, we draft your charge and file it with the right agency before your deadline.

    Your partReview the charge and sign it.
  7. 05

    Agency investigation

    3–12 months

    The agency asks your employer to respond, and an investigator interviews you. We prepare you for that interview, answer your employer’s response, hand over your evidence, and handle every request and deadline.

    Your partYour interview with the investigator, plus the occasional question.
  8. 06

    Mediation

    Often half a day

    At the EEOC, we prepare you beforehand, then represent you in a free session with a neutral mediator. At the Department of Labor and OSHA, we negotiate a resolution with your employer during the investigation.

    Your partAttend, usually by video.
  9. 07

    Resolution

    Paid within ~30 days

    We go through every term with you before you sign: the amount, when it’s paid, your reference. Then we make sure it’s paid.

    Your partSign the agreement.
  10. 08

    If it goes to court

    Only if needed

    A few cases need a lawsuit. If yours does, we refer you to a partner attorney and hand over the case file we’ve built.

    Your partDecide whether to go ahead.
Client stories

What our clients are saying about us

You’re not just a case. We’ll explain your options, pros and cons, but we’ll never push you in a direction you don’t want to go.

I say to anybody, if you’re thinking about seeking out Thurgood, think no more, do it. The way they handle clients is unbelievable!

Candice

Thurgood completely changed my thoughts on what employment law could be. I feel really grateful that I had them on my team.

Ben

They brought me all the way to the end for a satisfactory resolution to my situation, so thank you very much to Thurgood!

Akili

They did it all. I wasn’t really sure what my rights were, didn’t know what I was getting into — but they made it seamless.

Jaime
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Questions

Common questions

Is Thurgood a law firm?

No. We’re authorized representatives. Agencies like the EEOC and the Department of Labor let workers choose a non-attorney to represent them, which keeps our process simpler and less expensive. If your case needs court, we refer you to a partner attorney.

What does it cost?

A small retainer to get started. After that, you owe nothing unless we get you a settlement. The evaluation and consultation call are free.

Will my employer find out I contacted you?

Not until you’ve signed on and agreed to the approach. The evaluation and call are private.

Can you help if I still work there?

Yes. A deal can cover staying on fair terms, moving to a different role, or a negotiated exit.

What if my deadline is close?

Say so in your evaluation. Some deadlines are short (safety retaliation complaints with OSHA must be filed within 30 days), and we move urgent cases to the front.

Tell us what happened. We’ll take it from there.

The evaluation is free and private. If we can help, we’ll call you to talk it through, with no obligation to sign.

Get a free evaluation
Thurgood is an employee advocacy firm, utilizing Authorized Justice Practitioners to represent employment matters under the jurisdiction of the EEOC, OSHA, and other administrative agencies. Information provided by the company does not constitute legal advice.
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