As for all kinds of litigation, an employment lawsuit could take a while, too. That said, each case is unique, which is why it's difficult to give an exact timeline on how long the process could take. Based on employee lawsuit statistics, it's safe to assume that a lawsuit could take a year or maybe longer. If the case has a higher value than usual, it could drag on for more than the expected time because the employer is inclined to fight back and win the case.