Labor & Employment

No matter your industry or business model, navigating the myriad of employment and labor laws is crucial to your success.

Our labor law & employment law attorneys understand that minimizing risks and maximizing opportunities within a business are critical to the client’s bottom line. We strive to act as a driving force in workplace law, helping clients achieve their business goals.

Labor & Employment Law Services

The attorneys in Howard & Howard’s labor and employment practice draw from their experience as in-house counsel, human resources/labor relations representatives, and business leaders to guide clients through the employer-employee relationship. Our employment law team provides counsel on a range of topics including:

• Hiring, interviewing, employment applications, and offer letters
• FCRA compliance, credit and criminal background checks, and pre-hire investigations
• Employment contracts and arbitration provisions
• Non-competition, non-solicitation, and trade secret protections
• Employment handbooks, policies, and protocols
• FMLA and ADA leave and reasonable accommodations
• Compensation and FLSA compliance including employee classification
• Employee benefits including PPACA, COBRA, ERISA, and HIPAA requirements
• Retirement incentive programs
• Performance improvement plans, disciplinary actions, termination letters, and severance agreements
• Plant closings, layoffs, and reductions in force
• Affirmative action and EEOC compliance
• Design and implementation of risk management programs
• Independent investigations
• HR training and workshops for supervisors and managers

When employee disagreements turn into formal disputes, we empower our clients to negotiate from a position of strength. If dialogue and negotiation do not resolve the dispute, we aggressively defend, try, and arbitrate cases across the country. Howard & Howard attorneys also provide strategic and effective representation before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, National Labor Relations Board, and state civil rights and employment relations agencies. We pursue and defend our clients’ interests in actions involving:

• Sexual harassment and hostile work environment claims
• Discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, national origin, or any other protected status
• Violations of the FMLA, Equal Pay Act, ADA, OSHA, and other federal and state statutes
• Workforce reductions, layoffs, and related WARN Act obligations
• Wage and hour violations including FLSA and state overtime laws
• Breach of employment contracts including non-compete and non-solicit agreements
• Wrongful discharge
• Whistleblower retaliation
• Employee class actions

What Is Labor Law?

Traditional labor law is an area unto itself; a distinct niche within employment law. Our attorneys represent both public sector and private sector employers on labor relations matters, such as:

• Collective bargaining agreements
• Grievances and employment arbitrations
• Union avoidance
• Union elections
• Unfair labor practice charges
• Work stoppages
• Unit clarification petitions

Labor Law Attorneys In MI, CA, NV, and IL

We understand that unpredictable and urgent questions arise; we also understand that you rely on dependable and timely strategic solutions. To achieve your goals, we actively partner with your human resources and legal teams to learn your business, your practices, and your priorities, and to provide cost-effective solutions on your timeline.

Contact Howard & Howard today with your labor or employment law concerns, or learn more about the additional services our business attorneys can provide.