Labor & Employment
Williams Kastner’s Labor and Employment Group has adapted to dramatic changes in the area of employee relations. This area of practice was once characterized by traditional employer-union relationship cases. Today it is a complex and contentious field, with increasing federal and state regulations and employment litigation. The shift in employment law from administrative practice to the courtroom has given Williams Kastner a tremendous advantage based upon its extensive litigation experience.
Our labor and employment law attorneys provide both public and private sector clients with consultation and representation not only at the negotiating table and job-site, but also before all federal, state and local agencies and courts. Due to the urgency frequently involved in labor and employment issues, our attorneys focus on providing prompt and practical advice and service.
We offer services in the following areas:
Employment Litigation
- Breach of contract
- Employment discrimination and harassment–sex, race, national origin, disability, age, religion, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation and AIDS
- Wrongful discharge
- Retaliation
- Negligent hiring and supervision
- Defamation
- Vicarious liability
- Wage and hour
- Family and medical leave
State and Federal Regulatory Compliance
- Worker’s compensation
- Unemployment compensation
- Washington’s Industrial Safety and Health Act, Oregon Safe Employment Act, and Occupational Health and Safety Act
- Federal and state wage and hour
- Federal and state family and medical leave
- Americans With Disabilities Act
- Hazardous material notification
- Veteran’s rights
- Prevailing wage
- Affirmative action
- Older Workers Benefit Protection Act
Employment Practices
- Interviewing and hiring
- Screening and background checks
- Immigration
- Diversity and harassment training
- Employee discipline
- Workplace investigations
- Employee separation
- Reduction in force management
- Drug and alcohol
- Leaves of absence
- Disability accommodations
- Independent contractor versus employee status
- Record retention (including electronic)
- Employee handbooks and manuals
- Electronic use policies
- Impact of HIPAA and peer review privileges on personnel matters
Employment Agreements
- Employment agreements
- Independent contractor agreements
- Noncompete and nonsolicitation agreements
- Confidentiality agreements
- Severance agreements
Labor/Management Relations
- Union representation campaigns
- Single and multi-employer collective bargaining
- Contract analysis
- Unfair labor practice representation
- Arbitration–grievance and interest arbitration
- Strike prevention, preparation and management
- Supervisor training
- Corporate reorganization and long-range planning
Class Action
Our attorneys represent a wide-range of clients in class action lawsuits. Our experience and record of success in class action defense is extensive and includes a variety of matters ranging from consumer fraud and consumer protection to securities fraud. Our labor and employment team of attorneys has represented numerous employers in class action suits. For more information regarding our class action experience, please visit our Class Action section here.
Value-Add Services and Representation
Our Labor and Employment Group offers many unique services to help clients avoid costly litigation and to create proactive strategies to achieve their employment goals. Our lawyers stress an active risk-mitgating approach in the management of employment issues. Some of the means offered by the group to achieve these goals include: