Labor and Employment Practice Areas

Employee Handbooks and Policy Manuals. The content and wording of a handbook is critical. It can often avoid confusion and prevent expensive litigation. We have prepared and reviewed handbooks and policies for many clients, including large and small, public and private, union and non-union employers. Our experience spans across countless industries, and we always customize the handbook to ensure it is both legally sufficient and appropriate for the particular character of the company and its industry. Clarity of wording is critical in employee handbooks, particularly in areas involving termination procedures, disciplinary action, various types of leave, sexual harassment and discrimination policies.

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Retirement Plans. Choosing the appropriate retirement plan requires careful analysis of the client's business, goals and objectives. In addition to providing for retirement income, a retirement plan often is established as a recruiting tool, key retention mechanism, reduction of taxes, financing business buy-sell agreements, transfer of ownership and the like. We prepare all necessary plan documents, government plan approval applications, and corporate documents, we guide the client in choosing, implementing and administrating the plans, and we represent the client before all governmental agencies in connection with the establishment and operation of the plan.

Retirement plans have been a fertile ground for litigation. To avoid such lawsuits, it is very important that plan documents be well drafted and that the client be advised of its fiduciary responsibilities and kept current of all developments in this ever evolving area of law. We have substantial litigation experience in representing clients in this area of law and helping clients avoid needless and preventable claims of wrongdoing as administrators of retirement plans.

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Employment Contracts. We have substantial experience in all aspects of employment contracts. We regularly draft or review them for our clients, and counsel clients on all types of these contracts, including executive employment contracts, salespersons' contracts, and contracts for independent contractors. We also have expertise in drafting confidentiality and non-competition agreements.

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Disability/Leave Issues. Clients frequently have questions in this area, particularly problems involving family, pregnancy and disability leave. Federal and state legislation have made these issues more significant than ever. Our attorneys keep current and can respond quickly to a client's needs.

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Layoffs. A well thought-out plan is necessary before implementing a layoff, whether it involves one employee or an entire department. We have developed such plans so as to make this process go as smoothly as possible.

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Litigation. Although our objective in counseling clients is to minimize their exposure to needless claims, we also are ready to stand up for our clients' rights when litigation is necessary. The firm's Litigation Department has substantial experience in state and federal courts, before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and before state agencies in all manner of wrongful termination and employment-related matters. These cases include all types of discrimination claims, contract claims, employee handbook claims, and defamation and other employment-related tort claims.

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Supervisor and Employee Training. State and federal laws require employers to train their managers and other employees in their rights and responsibilities regarding workplace and sexual harassment. We provide lively and informative training on these and other important employee relations issues, including effective hiring, reasonable accommodation of disabled employees, and family and medical leaves of absence.