DCWageLaw - Washington, DC

Tireless Advocacy for Unpaid Wages

DCWageLaw is a specialized employment law firm located in the heart of Washington, D.C., founded with a singular and powerful mission: to ensure that every worker is paid properly for their labor. Since its inception in 2013, the firm has recovered over $20 million in unpaid wages for clients ranging from restaurant dishwashers to corporate executives. The firm’s founder, Justin Zelikovitz, recognized that while many firms handle general employment disputes, few possess the laser focus required to navigate the intricacies of wage and hour law with the aggression necessary to win against well-funded employers.

The philosophy at DCWageLaw is rooted in the belief that wage theft is not just a legal violation but a moral wrong. The firm operates on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid if they recover money for the client. This “David vs. Goliath” approach empowers workers who might otherwise be unable to afford high-quality legal representation to stand up for their rights. The team is known for its ability to calculate complex damages, including overtime errors, minimum wage violations, and withheld commissions, often discovering owed sums that clients were not even aware of.

Areas of Wage and Hour Expertise

DCWageLaw dedicates its practice almost exclusively to wage and hour issues, ensuring a depth of knowledge that generalist firms cannot match:

• Unpaid Overtime: Recovering time-and-a-half pay for employees who have worked more than 40 hours a week but were denied their legal due.
• Minimum Wage Violations: Representing tipped workers, such as servers and bartenders, and others who have been paid below the D.C. minimum wage threshold.
• Wage Theft and Unpaid Bonuses: pursuing employers who unlawfully withhold promised commissions, bonuses, or final paychecks.
• Misclassification: Fighting for workers wrongly classified as “independent contractors” to deny them benefits and overtime pay.
• Restaurant Worker Rights: A specific focus on the hospitality industry, addressing common abuses like tip pooling violations and off-the-clock work.

A Firm Built for the People

Located on H Street NW, DCWageLaw is deeply embedded in the community it serves. The firm’s staff is multilingual, with capabilities in Spanish, French, and Portuguese, breaking down language barriers that often prevent immigrant workers from seeking justice. Their commitment to accessibility is further demonstrated by their free confidential consultations, where potential clients can find out if they have a case without any financial risk.

Justin Zelikovitz and his team have litigated hundreds of cases in federal and state courts, earning a reputation for being “pugnacious” in defense of their clients’ livelihoods. Whether you are a construction worker denied overtime or a salesperson cheated out of a commission, DCWageLaw offers the expertise to find a lawyer who will fight for every cent you earned. If you need to order a lawyer who understands the math behind the law and the human cost of wage theft, this firm is your staunch ally.