Racial Discrimination Lawyer in Hartford, CT

Representing Hartford-Area Employees Under State & Federal Law

Racial discrimination at work doesn’t always announce itself plainly. It shows up in promotions that never come, discipline applied unequally, comments that go uncorrected, or hiring policies that filter out candidates by race under neutral-sounding criteria. At Cicchiello & Cicchiello, LLP, we represent employees in Hartford, Hartford County, Litchfield County, and Middlesex County who have faced this kind of treatment and need an attorney who will take their situation seriously.

If you believe you’ve experienced racial discrimination at work, call us at (860) 866-1024 to schedule a free consultation. We can review your situation and explain your options.

What Counts as Racial Discrimination Under Connecticut & Federal Law

Two bodies of law protect Connecticut workers from race-based discrimination: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which applies to employers with 15 or more employees, and the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act (CFEPA, CGS § 46a-60), which as of October 1, 2022, covers employers with even one employee. Both prohibit discrimination in hiring, firing, discipline, pay, and promotion based on race or color.

Types of Racial Discrimination Claims

Claims typically fall into two categories. Disparate treatment is intentional differential treatment because of race: a manager applies one standard to white employees and another to employees of color doing the same work. Disparate impact occurs when a facially neutral policy disproportionately screens out a racial group without a legitimate business justification. A hostile work environment claim arises when racial slurs, jokes, comments, or imagery are severe or pervasive enough to alter the conditions of employment and a supervisor knew about the conduct and failed to stop it.

Connecticut’s CROWN Act extends CFEPA protection to discrimination based on ethnically associated hairstyles, recognizing that race-based bias can target natural or cultural hair, not just skin color.

Filing a Racial Discrimination Claim: Deadlines & Process

Before bringing a case to court, most employees must first file an administrative complaint. Under CGS § 46a-82, a CFEPA complaint must be filed with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) within 300 days of the alleged discriminatory act. Missing that deadline can permanently bar the claim, so acting promptly matters.

The CHRO has a work-sharing agreement with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency that enforces Title VII. Requesting cross-filing when you submit your CHRO complaint satisfies both state and federal administrative requirements without a separate EEOC filing. Once the CHRO process concludes or a release of jurisdiction is obtained, a claim can proceed to Connecticut Superior Court or federal district court, generally within 90 days of that release or a right-to-sue letter. Our attorneys are well-versed in handling these claims across both state and federal courts, and we guide clients through every step of that path.

Why Hartford Employees Come to Cicchiello & Cicchiello, LLP

Our four partners bring over 80 years of combined litigation experience, and each one remains actively engaged in cases. When you work with us, you work directly with the attorney handling your matter.

Direct Attorney Access
You won’t be handed off to an associate or left waiting days for a callback. Our attorneys and staff return calls and emails the same day and keep clients informed before they even need to ask for an update.

Recognized Across the Partnership
Multiple attorneys at the firm have been recognized by Super Lawyers®, Rising Stars, and Top 40 Under 40. That recognition runs across the partnership, not just to one name at the top.

Assertive & Ethical Advocacy
We approach every case with assertive advocacy and a firm ethical foundation: honesty with clients, thorough preparation, and no backing down from powerful opponents.

A Personal Experience
Clients consistently describe working with us as a personal experience, one in which they felt treated like family rather than a file number.

Start With a Free Consultation

A free consultation gives you the chance to explain what happened and hear a straightforward assessment of your claim. We handle employment discrimination matters for clients throughout Hartford and the surrounding counties, and we’re ready to listen. Call Cicchiello & Cicchiello, LLP at (860) 866-1024 to get started.