Patrick T. Collins is Chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group. He practices labor, employment, and personnel law on behalf of employers and management personnel. He has a wide range of experience in all areas of litigation in both federal and state courts, defending discrimination and sexual harassment claims, wrongful discharge and whistleblower suits, and claims brought under the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the multitude of other civil rights and anti-discrimination laws. In addition, Pat represents parties in breach of contract claims and in actions involving unfair competition, restrictive covenants, and confidentiality agreements.
Pat has appeared before state human rights agencies throughout the country, as well as the EEOC, the National Labor Relations Board, and various wage and hour agencies. He has represented employers in numerous labor grievance/arbitration proceedings and in a variety of other matters relating to the unionization of employees and collective bargaining. He has also worked extensively with employers on public works contracts to ensure compliance with prevailing wage laws.
A great deal of Pat’s practice concentrates on counseling employers in making workplace decisions, which will reduce or avoid entirely the risk of litigation. Pat regularly counsels his clients on matters concerning independent contractors and contingent workers, employment policies, employee discipline and terminations, reductions in workforce, and plant closings. He has conducted sexual harassment investigations and employment law audits, and has drafted numerous employee handbooks and substance abuse and workplace privacy policies. Pat has also conducted management and employee training and legal compliance sessions in a variety of areas, including the performance appraisal process and anti-harassment.
Pat is a former member of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, District XIII Ethics Committee, and the Sidney Reitman Employment Law Inn of Court.
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NEW EMPLOYEE LEAVE LAW FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT
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Third Circuit Addresses “Willful” Violations of Fair Labor Standards Act
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Expansion of Paid Family Leave Vetoed By Governor
A Generic Doctor’s Note, Without More, Will Not Support A Claim Under The NJLAD
Two Significant Employment Laws Await Governor’s Decision
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Jury Waiver And Arbitration Agreements Require Specificity
If You Checked The Box, You’re Bound By The Contract
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Dispelling the 10 Biggest Wage and Hour Myths
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Leaves of Absence As a Reasonable Accommodation Under the Americans With Disabilities Act (“ADA”)
Dept. of Labor Issues New FMLA Poster
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Anti-Harassment Policies Must Be Communicated To Temporary Employees
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Expert Medical Evidence Needed To Establish The Extent Of A Person’s Disability
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New Employment Obligations for the New Year
The New Jersey Security and Financial Empowerment (NJ SAFE) Act Poster
New Employee Leave Law for Victims of Domestic Violence or Sexual Assault
CEPA Claim Cannot Be Based on Code of Ethics Not Applicable to Employer
Another Facebook Firing Decision by the National Labor Relations Board
New Family and Medical Leave Act Poster
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Patrick T. Collins has earned the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® status. A description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
2017 Safe + Sound Somerset Jackie Wiegand Founder Award
1999 Legal Services of New Jersey Equal Justice Medal.
1999 Outstanding Board Service Award.