Employment Practices (Counseling and Litigation)

Our employment law attorneys provide knowledgeable counseling and aggressive defense of public and private employers and insurers. 

LITIGATION 

Our lawyers have handled hundreds of employment matters in state and federal courts throughout the United States, as well as in alternative dispute resolution settings.  

In addition to defending lawsuits brought against employers large and small, our employment attorneys represent employers during administrative proceedings, including those before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board and other federal and state regulators such as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and the New Jersey Civil Rights Administration. 

Our employment and labor law capabilities range from wrongful termination and retaliation to religious discrimination to collective bargaining. To minimize employers’ exposure risks, we also counsel clients regarding compliance with state, federal and industry regulations; personnel policies and procedures; employee manuals; employee health and safety; immigration issues; and awareness training, among other concerns. 

Our experienced trial attorneys litigate a broad range of individual and class action employment claims involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, failure to pay wages or benefits, breach of contract, employee classification, wrongful termination, negligent hiring or retention, and defamation.  

We also represent clients in administrative agency proceedings and litigation related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Family Medical Leave Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Equal Pay Act, Title IX and a multitude of other federal and state employment laws. 

Our labor and employment law specialties include: 

• Age Discrimination 
• Age Discrimination in Employment Act 
• Americans with Disabilities Act 
• Covenants Not to Compete 
• Equal Pay Act 
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) 
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) 
• Gender Discrimination 
• Internet and E-mail Usage 
• Invasion of Privacy, Defamation and Tortious Interference with Contract Claims 
• Managerial and Employee Training 
• National Origin Discrimination 
• Pregnancy Discrimination 
• Race Discrimination 
• Rehabilitation Act 
• Religious Discrimination 
• Sexual Harassment and Hostile Work Environment 
• Sexual Orientation Discrimination 
• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 
• Union Negotiations and Collective Bargaining 
• Whistle Blowing and Retaliation 
• Workplace Privacy 
• Workplace Violence 
• Wrongful Termination 

We believe that our clients’ interests are best met by lawyers who invest in understanding their needs and challenges and provide tailored guidance that aligns with their business objectives. Our goal is to deliver critical advice and advocacy as we work with our clients to develop practical responses to federal and state employment laws and regulations, resolve workplace disputes and employee claims, and craft policies and procedures that minimize risk while maximizing productivity. 

COUNSELING 

To help employers identify and prevent employment litigation and employee claims before they arise, our lawyers conduct ongoing audits of workplace procedures, operational practices and training programs. Employers count on us to draft and provide guidance on policies regarding drug testing, the prevention of workplace violence, independent contractors, employee privacy and cyber liability, and hiring, discipline and termination practices, including in particular employment agreements, disciplinary procedures and employee handbooks. We also assist employers covered by Executive Order 11246 with the preparation and maintenance of affirmative action plans. 

We have significant experience helping clients draft and enforce employment contracts, executive and confidentiality agreements and covenants restricting employees’ post-employment conduct. Notably, we have developed and implemented a number of mandatory employment and arbitration programs that require employees to submit employment disputes to binding arbitration pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act as an alternative to costly litigation. 

INVESTIGATIONS AND TRAINING 

Our lawyers perform workplace investigations and interviews to determine responsibilities and understand the facts surrounding employment issues. We also provide a wide range of employee education and training programs, including on anti-discrimination, anti-bullying, anti-harassment and related issues. 

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH 

With years of experience helping clients respond to the complex and ever-changing standards and regulations promulgated by the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), our team works with employers to identify and eliminate safety problems that might otherwise lead to citations.  Should catastrophic accidents, fatalities or other tragedies occur in the workplace, we manage OSHA inspections on behalf of our clients to protect their interests and ensure their rights and obligations are met. 

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