SERVICES AVAILABLE TO ALL CLIENTS

• Advice regarding compliance with federal, state and municipal laws
• Representation before arbitrators, mediators and government agencies
• Representation in federal and state courts

More specifically, we represent our clients in the following ways:

TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT (AS AMENDED BY THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1991), THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT, THE EQUAL PAY ACT, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, THE CALIFORNIA FAIR EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING ACT, THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT AND THE CALIFORNIA FAMILY RIGHTS ACT

• Review personnel policies and practices
• Train supervisors on recognizing and avoiding discrimination and harassment and potential personal liability
• Advise regarding hiring, promotion, termination, layoff, salary, benefits, and leave obligations
• Assist with responding to employee claims of harassment and other forms of discrimination
• Represent clients before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the California Fair Employment and Housing Commission
• Litigate lawsuits in federal and state courts and before private arbitrators

WRONGFUL DISCHARGE

• Litigate claims based on public policy, contract, covenant of good faith and fair dealing, infliction of emotional distress, fraud, defamation and similar theories
• Advise regarding personnel policies and employment decisions (e.g., hiring, discipline, termination)
• Train and present seminars to supervisors on legal developments and their practical significance
• Counsel regarding employment contracts and alternative means of dispute resolution

NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD AND PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS BOARD

• All aspects of practice and litigation before the National Labor Relations Board and the Public Employment Relations Board
• Advice on union-related issues

MISCELLANEOUS FEDERAL AND STATE LABOR LAWS

• Counsel regarding the numerous laws affecting employers, including such diverse matters as whistleblower protection, drug testing, polygraph testing and the myriad of protected leaves of absence

CALIFORNIA’S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO PRIVACY

• Advice regarding all aspects of workplace privacy including drug testing, employment references, electronic mail, and internet use issues

PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PRACTICES

• Help drafting and interpreting employment contracts and non-competition agreements
• Draft and revise personnel policy manuals and employee handbooks
• Review and advise regarding employment applications, interviews, disciplinary actions, and performance evaluations

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT AND INDUSTRIAL WELFARE COMMISSION ORDERS

• Consult about minimum wage, overtime, vacation pay and other wage/hour requirements
• Analyze exempt versus non-exempt status of employees
• Represent clients before the U.S. Department of Labor and California Labor Commissioner

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

• Consult regarding mediation, arbitration and other forms of private dispute resolution
• Design dispute resolution programs and assist with mediation of employment disputes
• Represent clients in mediation, judicial arbitration, private arbitration, and industry arbitration

UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION LAWS

• Assist with responding to unemployment claims
• Represent employers before the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board

EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND FEDERAL CONTRACT COMPLIANCE

• Advise regarding preparation, documentation and revision of affirmative action plans
• Represent clients during compliance reviews by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
• Counsel regarding the Rehabilitation Act and other obligations of recipients of federal and state funds

WORKERS’ ADJUSTMENT RETRAINING AND NOTIFICATION ACT

• Advise employers about layoff and plant closing notice obligations

VIETNAM ERA VETERANS READJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE ACT

• Guide employers with their obligations under this and other laws pertaining to military leaves and reinstatement of veterans

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION STATUTES

• Evaluate and counsel regarding leaves of absence, reinstatement, light-duty assignments, integration with protected leaves, and related issues
• Represent employers before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board in cases involving allegations of serious and willful conduct, discrimination, retaliation and reinstatement rights

INVESTIGATIONS

• Investigate allegations of employee misconduct including, but not limited to, harassment, fraud, threats of violence, theft and discrimination
• Advise regarding implementing recommendations that are the product of investigation findings
• Assist clients who conduct internal investigations and audits of personnel practices and procedures

SPECIAL SERVICES FOR
PUBLIC SECTOR CLIENTS

In addition to the services provided to all clients, these services are provided to our public sector clients:

• Counsel and litigation involving the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act, the Trial Court Employment Protection and Governance Act, and other state employer-employee relations laws
• Representation at hearings before the Public Employment Relations Board, including unfair practice and representation cases
• Representation at hearings before Civil Service Commissions
• Advice regarding compliance with Skelly procedures and the Peace Officers’ Bill of Rights
• Representation in strike-related litigation, including injunction proceedings
• Training supervisors on effective employee relations in the public sector
• Meeting and conferring under the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act, the Trial Court Employment Protection and Governance Act, and other state employer-employee relations laws
• Counsel and representation in grievance meetings and arbitration
• Advice on the Brown Act open meeting requirements

SPECIAL SERVICES FOR
UNIONIZED CLIENTS

In addition to the services provided to all clients, these services are provided to our unionized clients:

• Representation in all aspects of collective bargaining negotiations and contract administration, including grievance meetings and labor arbitration
• Assistance with strike contingency planning and representation in injunction proceedings
• Representation before the National Labor Relations Board or the Public Employment Relations Board in representation, unit clarification, decertification and unfair labor practice cases
• Training of supervisors on effective supervision under the union contract
• Advice regarding apprenticeship compliance issues
• Help with all matters involving the employer-union relationship

SPECIAL SERVICES FOR
NON-UNIONIZED CLIENTS

In addition to the services provided to all clients, these services are provided to our clients who are not Organized by a labor union:

• Recommendations for maintaining a satisfied, non-unionized workforce
• Review of personnel policies and practices, including employee complaint procedures
• Training of supervisors on employee relations and effective supervision
• Advice regarding responding to union organizing campaigns
• Representation before the National Labor Relations Board or Public Employment Relations Board in response to union petitions and unfair labor practice charges, from the agency investigation through agency or court hearing stages
• Counsel regarding establishment of dual operations