Employment and Labor

We provide effective and economic legal solutions to the wide range of employment and labor law issues confronting employers.  While we are skilled in defending employers against employment-related claims, we also specialize in advising employers how to avoid litigation.  

We represent businesses of all sizes and kinds, private and public, in employment litigation in state and federal courts and administrative agencies.  We are tough and efficient advocates, adept in both trial settings and at forging favorable compromises for our clients.  We have substantial experience in arbitration and private facilitation of disputes and potential lawsuits involving employees.  We work closely with the firm’s business transactions, employee benefits, tax and e-commerce groups.

Our group defends employers against employee claims of:

• wrongful and constructive discharge
• discrimination on the basis of age, race, gender, and disability
• sexual and other forms of harassment
• violation of constitutional rights
• discharge in violation of public policy
• violation of the Whistleblower Protection Act
• retaliation
• failure to pay commissions, bonuses, or overtime
• defamation
• invasion of privacy
• intentional infliction of emotional distress

We also represent clients in traditional labor law matters, including union organizing campaigns, elections, unfair labor practice proceedings, grievance arbitration and collective bargaining.

We regularly provide employers with practical advice in all areas of personnel law:

• hiring and promotion
• discipline and discharge
• sexual harassment policies and investigations
• reduction in force procedures and layoffs
• employment contracts and at-will policies
• confidentiality and non-competition agreements and enforcement
• email and internet policies
• early retirement plans
• severance agreements

          James J. Parks         Harold D. Pope

                  Thomas H. Williams