Des Moines Race Discrimination Lawyers
70+ Years of Collective Experience Fighting for Employees in Iowa & Minnesota
Race discrimination in the workplace takes many forms, affecting employees’ opportunities, treatment, and overall well-being. Iowa, Minnesota, and federal law all prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race. Yet many employees don’t recognize discrimination when it happens and don’t take steps to protect their rights as a result.
At Newkirk Zwagerman, P.L.C., we represent employees exclusively. We devote a significant portion of our practice to seeking justice for workers who have been unlawfully discriminated against, and with 70+ years of collective experience across our attorney team, we know the laws, the agencies, and the arguments that move these cases forward. We’ve been committed to employee civil rights since 2009, and we represent clients in both Iowa and Minnesota.
Talk to a Des Moines race discrimination attorney at Newkirk Zwagerman, P.L.C. about your case. Call (515) 497-9409 or reach us online to request a free initial case evaluation.
Defending Your Dignity Bold Representation for Bold Change
See What Sets Us Apart
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Equity for All
Fighting for your rights, we work towards the fundamental equality of every individual.
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Accountability-Focused
We work to ensure organizations are responsible for creating fair and just workplaces.
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Employee Advocates
We empower our clients to have their voices heard and their rights protected.
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Fostering Inclusion
At our core, we drive positive change through education and implicit bias training.
What Is Race Discrimination in the Workplace?
Most employees who experience race discrimination are denied equal opportunities because of negative perceptions or biases tied to race, whether those biases are conscious or not. The concept is often misunderstood, which is exactly why so many affected employees never act.
Common Forms of Racial Bias in Employment
Racial bias shapes employment decisions in ways that aren’t always obvious. Examples include:
- A hiring manager selects a white applicant over you for a job or promotion based on an aversion or negative view tied to your race.
- A manager allows negative views of your race to justify paying you less or giving you fewer hours than white coworkers.
- Harassment tied to race is a form of discrimination. While many employers may no longer permit racial slurs, the environment may still carry opposing racial views that support a claim of racial harassment.
- An employer uses testing or other so-called “objective” performance measures that result in the exclusion of certain racial groups.
Subtle Discrimination & Microaggressions
Subtle forms of race discrimination, often called microaggressions, can be harder to identify but are just as damaging. These include perpetuating stereotypes about certain racial groups, consistently excluding employees of color from meetings or key projects, or giving biased performance reviews rooted in unconscious prejudice. Individually, these actions might seem minor; over time, they create a toxic environment that harms both the individual and the organization, contributing to low morale, high turnover, and a lack of diversity in leadership. Because we also offer implicit bias education to employers, we understand from the inside how these patterns form and how they show up in employment decisions.
Retaliation
Retaliation is its own violation. When an employer disciplines, demotes, or terminates an employee for reporting race discrimination, that act can constitute a separate legal claim on top of the underlying discrimination. If you’ve faced pushback for speaking up, we want to hear about it.
How Newkirk Zwagerman, P.L.C. Handles a Race Discrimination Case
From the first conversation through resolution, we build each case around the specific facts of what happened to you. Because we represent employees exclusively, every strategy we develop is aimed at holding your employer accountable.
We can:
- Conduct a thorough case review: We begin by understanding the full scope of your situation, documenting instances of discrimination, reviewing workplace policies, and assessing how the law applies to your case.
- Gather critical evidence: We work with you to collect documentation, including emails, performance reviews, HR records, and witness statements. Evidence of differential treatment, such as disparities in pay, promotions, or racially motivated remarks, helps substantiate your claim.
- Educate you on your rights: Understanding your rights is empowering. We explain your protections under the law and walk you through every avenue available, whether through administrative agencies like the EEOC or Iowa Office of Civil Rights, or through direct litigation.
- Negotiate settlements: We are skilled negotiators working to seek fair compensation, including back pay, emotional distress damages, and changes to company policy to prevent future discrimination.
- Pursue litigation if necessary: If a settlement isn’t possible, we are prepared to take your case to court. From filing a solid complaint to arguing before a judge or jury, we pursue every available avenue on your behalf.
We understand the emotional toll race discrimination takes. Our team listens carefully, treats you with respect, and helps ease the stress that comes with these cases. You aren’t alone in this fight.
Request a free initial case evaluation with a Des Moines race discrimination attorney by contacting us at (515) 497-9409 today.
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"I would highly recommend them to anyone seeking representation in complex cases—you’ll be in excellent hands"
I cannot say enough good things about Leonard Bates and the entire team- Courtney S. -
"They Speak My Language"
Tom Newkirk and his firm are experts on the state of college athletics and the type of bias that coaches and especially female coaches deal with on daily bases. They speak a language that anyone can understand.- Petra M.