EEOC Claims in Memphis

Representing Mid-South Workers in EEOC Claims Since 1980

Before a Memphis-area employee can file a federal lawsuit for workplace discrimination, they must first exhaust the administrative process by filing a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. That charge triggers an investigation and starts the clock on deadlines that can permanently bar a lawsuit if missed. We represent employees in Memphis and across the Mid-South, including workers in Southaven and northern Mississippi, through every stage of this process. We don’t represent employers.

Why Memphis Workers Bring Their EEOC Claims to Donati Law, PLLC

Our employment law attorneys have been representing Mid-South workers since 1980, more than 45 years handling claims of workplace discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. That history isn’t incidental. It means we understand how employers in this region respond to charges, how the Memphis District Office operates, and what it takes to build a case that holds up beyond the administrative stage.

Appellate & Supreme Court Experience in EEOC Matters

Our attorneys have litigated EEOC-related matters at the appellate and Supreme Court levels. We intervened in Knox v. Skanska, a case the EEOC originally filed alleging racial harassment and retaliation under Title VII and Section 1981, and won a reversal in the plaintiffs’ favor at the Sixth Circuit. Attorney Donald Donati argued Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway Co. v. White before the U.S. Supreme Court, which unanimously ruled for our client on a Title VII retaliation claim that originated from an EEOC charge. That case set the standard for what constitutes unlawful retaliation under federal law.

Our attorneys have been recognized in the 32nd edition of The Best Lawyers in America, and Donati Law, PLLC received a Tier 1 Memphis ranking for Employment Law – Individuals in the 2026 Best Law Firms rankings. Our firm’s collective legal experience spans more than 150 years across all practice areas.

Filing an EEOC Charge from Memphis or the Mid-South

Timing is one of the most critical factors in any EEOC claim. Tennessee has a worksharing agreement between the EEOC and the state’s Civil Rights Enforcement Division, housed within the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office, which extends the standard filing deadline from 180 days to 300 days from the date of the discriminatory act. Missing that window generally forfeits the right to file a federal lawsuit.

Employees in the Memphis area have several ways to submit a charge of discrimination. The EEOC Public Portal allows online submission, and charges can also be filed by mail or in person. The Memphis District Office handles charges against employers in Tennessee, Arkansas, and parts of Mississippi. Workers who prefer to pursue a claim under state law can file directly with the Civil Rights Enforcement Division within the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office.

We work with clients at the charge-filing stage, not just after a right-to-sue letter arrives. Getting the charge right from the start, including identifying the correct legal theories and documenting the timeline, shapes how the entire case develops.

Talk to an Employment Attorney Before the Deadline Passes

If you’re a Memphis or Mid-South employee who has experienced workplace discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, contact Donati Law, PLLC at (901) 209-5500. We can help you understand your options and whether an EEOC charge is the right next step for your situation.