Michael Diederich Jr.

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).

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

• Constitutional Law

• 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.

Massachusetts

New York

2nd Circuit

U.S. Supreme Court

US Army Court of Military Appeals

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

1981 - 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.

Lewis & Clark Law School

J.D.

University of Vermont

B.S. | Environmental Science

Elisabeth Haub School of Law - Pace University

LL.M. | Master of Laws

US Army Command and General Staff College

US Army Judge Advocate General's School

Army JAG School-- basic and advanced schools

Bronze Star Medal

US Army

2012

Bronze Star Medal -- awarded for military service as an Army "JAG" lawyer in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

National Employment Lawyers Association

Member

Current

NY State Bar Association

Civil Rights Committe -- appointed member

Current

Rockland County Bar Association

Current

Orange County (NY) Bar Association

Current

Q. An ex-friend made an imputation of unchastity against me. I have multiple records of harassment. How do I proceed?

February 7, 2023

A: I suggest you hire a lawyer to write a "cease and desist" letter to your ex-friend. The lawyer will likely inform your ex-friend that publishing defamatory statements would subject your ex-friend to liability regarding any and all damages suffered by you. And that falsely accusing someone of adultery is per se defamation. Hopefully a letter will stop the defamation. Hiring a lawyer to commence and prosecute a defamation lawsuit on your behalf is an option, but likely a very expensive option.

Q. What is the law regarding a company demanding for the employees to attest to a vaccine? Is it legal to demand that info?

September 6, 2022

A: The law regarding COVID vaccination mandates/reporting is developing, including state by state. Consult with an employment lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction. The NYS Bar Association has published 2 articles of mine on the topic. Lawyers may be interested in attending (in person or remotely) the National Vaccine Law Conference held in Arlington, VA, on Sept. 15-16, 2022. I am a speaker on the topic of the Professional Legal Ethics when Advocating against COVID mandates.

Q. Hello. My husband received last warning from manager, and was told that after that he will be fired. We believe that

November 25, 2019

A: You do not state the reason for the warning. If it was poor performance, that is a basis for job termination. Overtime is (presumably) a separate issue here. Is your husband an hourly or salaried employee? If properly classified as an hourly employee, then he has certain rights (including the right to be paid a "time and a half" rate for all overtime work). If he believes illegality may be afoot, or that he faces potential job termination, he should consult with a competent employment lawyer (many of whom will offer a free telephone consultation) so that he can possibly avoid being fired and, if needed, protect his legal rights.

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