Our full-service labor and employment department represents a broad range of entities: exchange-listed companies, private enterprises, nonprofits, governments and trade associations. We handle high-stakes employment litigation, including individual and class claims of discrimination, harassment, wage and hour violations, defamation, non-compete violations and wrongful discharge. We appear regularly before federal and state courts, agencies and departments (such as the EEOC, NLRB, DOL, IRS, OSHA and ICE), and arbitrators. We also handle traditional labor law matters, helping employers foster positive workplace relations, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, and handle labor arbitrations and unfair labor practice proceedings.
When a specific labor or employment issue arises, clients immediately face the competing goals of vigorously refuting accusations or adverse precedents, and restoring a sense of calm and unity of purpose to the workplace. Cozen O’Connor attorneys guide clients through these complex situations and enable them to take decisive action without compromising operational effectiveness. We are keenly aware that the legal response must operate in harmony with the business goals.
One of our greatest assets in this endeavor is the depth of our trial and courtroom experience. We have dozens of lead attorneys who routinely appear in court, agency and arbitration proceedings, giving us tremendous insight into how a case is likely to play out in a litigation setting. That hard-earned knowledge serves our clients well as we partner with them to decide upon a strategic approach.
SERVICES
- Investigate employee claims or government inquiries
- Defend clients against individual or class (collective) action lawsuits
- Represent employers in suits alleging discrimination and harassment on the basis of age, race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and other areas protected under federal, state and local law
- Represent employers in cases involving defamation, invasion of privacy, trade secrets and noncompetition agreements, duty-of-loyalty claims, equal-pay disputes, employment benefits disputes, pension and benefit plan fiduciary liability, wage-and-hour claims, whistle-blowers and wrongful-discharge claims
- Advocate for clients in trade secrets and restrictive covenant cases
Employer Advising, Training and Investigations
- Assist in the resolution of individual workplace problems
- Create effective employee benefits and executive compensation programs
- Advise in-house counsel, human resources professionals and executives in the development of sound personnel policies that limit liability and enhance productivity
- Train staff to ensure fair and consistent enforcement of personnel policies
- Perform workplace audits and internal investigations
- Review and draft employment policies and manuals, as well as employment and termination/severance agreements
- Help managers build cooperative relationships with their workforce, unionized or not
- Advise clients on NLRB regulations and represent employers in inquiries and hearings
- Evaluate and implement alternative labor-management relationships
- Negotiate collective bargaining agreements and handle arbitration proceedings
- Respond to strike threats, work stoppages and mass picketing
- Defend employers against charges of unfair labor practices, including those alleging unlawful termination, failure to bargain in good faith and interference with employee rights
CLIENTS
Our clients operate in diverse industries, including:
- Chemical
- Education
- Energy and utilities
- Financial services
- Government
- Health care
- Hospitality
- Retail
- Technology
- Transportation and logistics