Our Labor and Employment attorneys counsel private and public sector clients on a wide range of employment issues, including employee leaves of absence, workforce management and discipline, disabilities accommodations, and layoffs and terminations.  In addition, our attorneys give advice and counsel on employer compliance, drafting and delivery of workplace compliance training programs, and preparing and updating workplace policies and employee handbooks. In addition to providing day-to day guidance, our attorneys are regularly called for advice on matters of risk prevention and management as related to personnel concerns, the resolution of anticipated or pending disputes, workplace audits, and workplace investigations.  In addition, our attorneys work with clients on labor and employee relations; corporate and workforce compliance; employment and severance agreements; employment litigation; unfair competition and trade secrets; discrimination and harassment claims, privacy and e-discovery issues; employee benefits and tax issues; wage and hour compliance; immigration; and government contracts.

Employee Relations/Workplace Counseling/Strategies

• Prepare and review all documentation to address personnel and HR employment policies including:
• Employee handbooks and workplace policies, including COVID-19 return to workplace policies and strategies
• Employment agreements and offer letters
• Severance and termination
• Confidentiality, non-solicit, non-compete, and non-disclosure agreements
• Work Made for Hire and Proprietary Information and Inventions Assignment agreements
• Arbitration agreements
• Advise clients on day-to-day employee concerns, including disability leave compliance, workplace accommodations, and counseling on employee termination issues
• Harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and whistleblower claims and prevention
• Anti-harassment and other employment and HR training
• Wage and hour compliance, including misclassification of employees as independent contractors, and overtime issues
• Restructuring or reductions in the workplace
• Tenure issues and terminations
• Employee benefits and executive equity interests and participation
• Workplace audits and investigations of employee claims or misconduct
• Advise on reduction in force and employee termination issues

Employment Litigation

A significant portion of the firm’s employment practice is devoted to representing both employers and employees, management, and individuals in a wide range of litigation in both state and federal courts, as well as in mediations and arbitrations. The matters commonly involve discrimination, retaliation, whistleblower, harassment, and wrongful discharge claims. We also handle wage and hour claims, employment and restrictive covenant contract disputes, trade secret, and unfair competition issues and all other forms of employment and related business litigation.

In addition, the firm represents its clients on employment and business-related claims in private mediation and arbitration hearings and proceedings, and assists and prepares them to respond to government audits and investigations. We also provide advice and handle proceedings before a variety of government agencies, including:

• The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
• Fair Employment Practice Agencies and State Human Rights Agencies
• National Labor Relations Board
• Department of Labor
• State Wage and Hour Agencies
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs

Unfair Competition and Trade Secrets

• Draft and provide counsel regarding all forms of restrictive covenant agreements, including confidentiality, non-solicitation, and non-solicitation agreements
• Employee and customer raiding, protection of trade secrets, customer lists, and other confidential information
• Negotiate and litigate trade secret and unfair competition disputes

Labor Relations

• Address issues relating to union and non-union environments and assist clients in union campaigns
• Negotiate collective bargaining agreements
• Arbitrate contract and discharge disputes
• Provide representation in grievances and labor arbitrations
• Advise clients on every aspect of labor relations and law in the workplace

Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits

Labor and employment attorneys work closely with our Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits Group to provide counsel and advice on the full array of employment and separation contract negotiations, strategies, all forms of equity plans and documentation, employee benefits, and tax issues.

Immigration

We provide legal advice on all immigration issues, including business-related visas, permanent residency applications, and all related immigration issues.