We are experienced in representing both private and public sector employers in the numerous and often complex laws and regulations that comprise the field of employment and labor law.
We provide day-to-day counseling and assistance with the challenging issues that arise out of hiring, accommodating, disciplining, evaluating, and terminating employees.
Our practice advises employers of all sizes on how to comply with the laws that govern the employment relationship – including state and federal labor relations laws, anti-discrimination statutes and regulations, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, and the Fair Labor Standards Act. In the event disputes arise, we have substantial experience in handling matters before administrative agencies and arbitrators as well as in state and federal courts.
We understand that employee benefits are important for employers to recruit and retain employees. Our attorneys have experience counseling clients on a wide range of employee benefit issues, such as compliance with the statutory and regulatory rules governing tax-qualified retirement plans, as well as health and other welfare benefit plans, including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, we assist clients with understanding and planning for changes arising from the Health Care Reform legislation. We understand the wider implications of employee benefits for our clients and have the capability to provide unique and creative solutions when issues arise.
Employment and Labor Areas of Experience
- Labor-management relations and labor disputes including grievances, arbitrations, and collective bargaining agreement interpretation
- Issues arising under state and federal anti-discrimination statutes, Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Family Medical Leave Act
- Fair Labor Standards Act and state wage and hour interpretation and litigation
- Representation of clients in connection with unemployment compensation claims
- Non-competition and other employment-related contracts
- Employee handbook/policy development and review
- On-site employee and/or supervisor training on numerous topics Including hiring, harassment prevention, employee accommodations, employee privacy, and workplace drug and alcohol issues
- Counseling employers on employee evaluation, discipline, and termination
- Serving as general counsel for the MidAtlantic Employers' Association, a workplace-focused trade association comprised of over 500 member companies, through which we provide extensive employment law counseling, training, updates, and compliance services
Employee Benefits Areas of Experience
- Compliance with Employee Retirement Income Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code
- Counseling employers in complying with health care reform
- Seeking approval under the IRS Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System
- Communications with employees regarding employee benefits issues
- Compliance with Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act and similar state legislation
- Domestic partnership and same-sex marriage issues
Our Employment Lawyers Provide Support and Guidance to Employers by:
- Being available to answer calls and correspondence in a timely and efficient manner regarding the day-to-day issues arising out of the employment relationship including hiring, physical and religious accommodations, privacy issues, drug and alcohol testing, sexual and other harassment, investigations, performance appraisals, discipline, and termination
- Understanding the client’s business and tailoring advice to meet its desired goals
- Training managers and administrators on how to avoid employment-related litigation
- Educating key staff members regarding best practices to ensure compliance with federal and state wage and overtime laws, leave laws, disability laws, and non-discrimination laws
- Preparing, negotiating, and enforcing employment-related agreements including employment contracts, consulting agreements, severance agreements, confidentiality agreements, and restrictive covenants
- Developing, adopting, and implementing a wide range of employment policies and practices
- Preparing, reviewing, and updating employee handbooks and other policy materials
- Representing employers in administrative proceedings before state and federal agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
- Representing employers in federal and state court discrimination litigation, unpaid wage claims, non-compete enforcements, and similar matters
- Representing employers in unemployment compensation proceedings
Employment-Related Litigation Experience in the Following Venues
- Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
- United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- Pennsylvania Supreme Court
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
- United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
- Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS)
- Pennsylvania Department of Education
- Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas
- Chester County Court of Common Pleas
- Bucks County Court of Common Pleas
- Delaware County Court of Common Pleas
- Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas
- Bergen County Superior Court
- Burlington County Superior Court
- Camden County Superior Court
- Cape May County Superior Court
- Cumberland County Superior Court
- Gloucester County Superior Court
- Mercer County Superior Court
