Lewis Rice's Labor & Employment Practice Group helps employers avoid legal issues by ensuring compliance with employment laws and regulations. We focus on working with managers and human resources professionals to proactively address day-to-day employment matters and navigate the ever-evolving laws that impact companies and employees. As trusted partners with significant experience representing employers in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies, we are also prepared to defend clients in any employment-related disputes that arise.

Our Services

Our attorneys have significant experience counseling management on a variety of employment-related matters, including:

  • Proactive Legal Support
    • Drafting and modifying employee handbooks and personnel policies.
    • Negotiating and drafting customized employment agreements and employment contracts.
    • Evaluating workforce reduction programs for compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) requirements and other statutory obligations such as the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act and the Older Worker Benefit Protection Act.
    • Assisting federal contractor clients with drafting and maintaining affirmative action programs as required by Executive Order 11246.
    • Conducting on-site seminars for clients on relevant employment topics such as medical leave, sexual harassment, and affirmative action.
  • Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Disputes and Trade Secret Protection
    • Litigating disputes arising under non-competition and non-solicitation provisions in employment and other contracts.
    • Drafting contractual provisions governing trade secrets, non-solicitation, and non-competition.
    • Providing ongoing consultation to employers and employees concerning their rights and obligations under existing contracts.
  • Wage and Hour
    • Advising on investigations and audits conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division.
    • Assisting in formulating payroll policies to conform to wage and hour laws.
    • Defending clients in wage and hour class action litigation.
  • Union Organizing and Negotiations
    • Handling collective bargaining negotiations in multiple industries.
    • Counseling regarding union avoidance programs, including organizing campaigns, elections, and union decertification proceedings.
    • Utilizing litigation to end union organizing campaigns and seek damages from the union, when necessary.
    • Advising on strikes, picketing, work stoppages, and other disputes during the collective bargaining process.
    • Defending against unfair labor practice charges and union organizing campaigns before the National Labor Relations Board.
    • Representing employers in arbitration hearings and grievance matters such as discharge, discipline, and contract interpretation.
  • Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
    • Defending clients in disputes involving denial of long-term disability claims and alleged failure to make contributions to pension and other benefit plans.
    • Handling suits brought by the U.S. Department of Labor against pension plans and individual trustees.
    • Providing guidance on ERISA claims arising out of employee discharge situations.
  • Employment Discrimination and Wrongful Discharge Litigation
    • Litigating discrimination claims based on factors such as race, sex, age, disability, religion, national origin, and pregnancy, including harassment claims.
    • Defending against class action discrimination claims.
    • Addressing actions against employers under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
    • Representing clients before administrative agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and state and local civil rights agencies.
    • Counseling on wrongful discharge allegations involving alleged violations of employment contracts and public policy; retaliatory discharges based on whistle blowing, safety-related activities, and exercising rights under workers’ compensation laws; interference with employment contracts; and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
  • Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
    • Guiding employers through federal and state agency inspections and investigations, including criminal investigations.
    • Formulating policies and programs in compliance with OSHA requirements.
    • Litigating safety and health matters.
  • Immigration
    • Securing temporary and permanent work visas, green cards based on family relationships, J-1 visa waivers, student and visitor visas, and citizenship.
    • Advising employers on I-9 audits and investigations.

Our Clients

The tailored services we provide meet the needs of our diverse clients, which include:

  • Large and small manufacturers
  • Construction companies
  • Universities
  • Retailers
  • Start-ups and small businesses
  • Banks
  • Hospitals
  • Insurance companies

Our Approach

We concentrate on helping our clients take proactive steps to avoid litigation. Our attorneys work closely with employers on an ongoing basis to assess risks, provide guidance on regulatory compliance, and develop and implement policies and procedures that align with local, state, and federal laws. The continuous advice and support we provide regarding day-to-day employment matters reduces the likelihood of time-consuming and costly legal challenges that can damage an employer’s reputation.

Lewis Rice’s Labor & Employment attorneys strive to establish long-term partnerships with clients. With a thorough understanding of their objectives, we can strategically evaluate options, make informed decisions, and seamlessly execute an employer’s chosen course of action.