looming tenure denial, part 2

[Mobius]

Yeah, it could be a horrible idea but if getting a lawyer is not possible what is there to lose?

I should give the caveat that I am not a lawyer and this should not be taken as legal advice.  It is only fur educational purposes.

The best advice for OP is use the next year and a half to find another job instead of wasting time and resources on a battle that will be tough to win.

[Ruralguy]

Yes, probably better to get another job.

Plus, "winning" almost certainly would not mean keeping current job. It would mean some sort of financial settlement, most likely a year or two of salary and benefits (that is to say, the equivalent in cash value).
The legal costs could end up being that or more  (or less, depending on what is set up with the lawyer).

As far as non-lawyers doing lawyering: As I implied with snark, the average fairly intelligent academic or whatever else could probably manage doing OK, but there's a chance at mistakes or just not emphasizing the right things at the right time. The advantage is that its kinda sorta free to do it yourself, and you might be just fine or even really good. Maybe.

[ciao_yall]

Yes, probably better to get another job.

Plus, "winning" almost certainly would not mean keeping current job. It would mean some sort of financial settlement, most likely a year or two of salary and benefits (that is to say, the equivalent in cash value).
The legal costs could end up being that or more  (or less, depending on what is set up with the lawyer).

As far as non-lawyers doing lawyering: As I implied with snark, the average fairly intelligent academic or whatever else could probably manage doing OK, but there's a chance at mistakes or just not emphasizing the right things at the right time. The advantage is that its kinda sorta free to do it yourself, and you might be just fine or even really good. Maybe.

IANAL but I have observed people trying to be their own lawyer.

They tend to make personal or moral arguments instead of legal arguments.

Or they go to the wrong avenues to seek redress.

Or they lack discipline and throw a lot of distractions into their efforts instead of understanding where to focus.

[Ruralguy]

A lawyer might agree to work on contingency. In fact that might be a measure of whether or not they think you'd be able to win anything of value.

[Hibush]

If you are going to sue for discrimination, I think the claim first has to go to the EEOC. If they decline to pursue it, you can sue yourself. But if they decline to pursue it, the case is weak.

It is awful to get fired, and the urge to sue is natural when one feels wronged. But it mostly results in large legal bills and wasted time and energy. Lawyers are enablers of this misdirection of ones resources. Better to pay a therapist to resolve the hurt enough to move on to a happier life.