Employment Law
We have a full service employment law practice, defending and counseling companies, schools and universities, and executives, officers, directors and trustees, on matters involving virtually every aspect of employer-employee relations.
Employment Litigation
We have significant experience defending employers in federal and state courts, administrative agencies and self-regulatory agencies. We offer and use alternative methods to resolve disputes, including arbitration and mediation, and assist clients on preventative policies and procedures to help minimize or avoid claims in the future.
Our employment litigation experience includes defending employers in federal and state courts and before administrative agencies and self-regulatory organizations such as Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, on claims involving:
Employment Discrimination and Sexual Harassment. We provide employers with ongoing representation and defense of discrimination claims brought under Title VII, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA); Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA); New York State and New York City Human Rights Laws; and the other local, state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination.
Other Statutory Claims. We also have represented employers in claims brought under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), National Labor Relations Act, wage and hour laws, and whistleblower statutes. In addition, our attorneys have represented employers in OSHA investigations and administrative proceedings.
Wrongful Discharge, Breach of Contract, Tort and Other Claims. We also represent employers in their resolution of claims involving breach of contract, alleged violations of employee handbooks or personnel policies, emotional distress, restrictive covenants, defamation, invasions of privacy, and negligent supervision.
Non-Litigation Services
We provide personalized services to clients to promote a productive work environment and to enhance employer-employee relations.
Counseling Services. We counsel employers on a variety of human resources issues, including federal, state and local equal employment opportunity laws, employee discipline and termination, leaves of absence, privacy, anti-stalking laws, wage and hour compliance, restrictive covenants, reductions in force, and occupational safety and health. We also conduct investigations into claims of discrimination and harassment and advise management on the appropriate course of action.
Personnel Policies and Handbooks. We work to develop, draft, revise and implement personnel practices and policies in the areas of sexual harassment and discrimination; reasonable accommodations for disabilities; employee discipline and terminations; leaves of absence, and disability and benefits eligibility, among others.
Employee Benefits. We provide advice on pension and medical claims, including those made under ERISA; coverage and termination of pension and retiree benefits; COBRA rights and violations; Department of Labor investigations; and unemployment insurance claims, among others; and policy assistance in these and related areas, including Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) releases; termination of benefits; COBRA entitlements; disability and sick leave claims; the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA); and separation agreements.
Executive Compensation and Other Individual Services. We advise individual and corporate clients on issues relating to employment agreements; compensation packages, including stock options; insurance policies and pension plans; non-competition and proprietary information agreements; corporate consolidations and reductions in force; and separation and retirement agreements.