Workplace and employment counseling in United States
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
The team at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP has great expertise in supporting international companies and financial institutions in employment and workplace counseling mandates. Its offering includes everything from advising on policies, agreements and compensation to conducting audits, investigations and providing training. Washington DC-based Grace Speights leads the group and is an expert on discrimination matters who knows the media, financial services, nonprofit, retail, and legal sectors well. In the same office, the former EEOC members Chai Feldblum and Sharon Masling head up a newly founded, dedicated workplace culture consulting team, focusing on inclusion and respect in the workplace. Boston's David Bowman is a specialist in providing trainings on a variety of topics. Jacqueline Aguilera is noted for her broad practice and together with Kathryn McGuigan is a key contact in Los Angeles. David McManus, who splits his time between New York and Boston, is well versed in crisis management. Other experienced practitioners include New York's Douglas Schwarz, Michelle Silverman in Princeton and Michael Schlemmer in Silicon Valley.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Chai Feldblum; Sharon Masling; David Bowman; Jacqueline Aguilera; Kathryn McGuigan; David McManus; Douglas Schwarz; Michelle Silverman; Michael Schlemmer; Susan Harthill
Key clients
Amazon
Amtrak
Boeing
Colgate-Palmolive
Deere & Co.
Endeavor/WME
Fidelity Investments
Gap Inc.
The Hershey Company
JPMorgan Chase
MetLife
Toyota Motor North America
Walgreen Co.
Work highlights
- Counseling Amazon.com on a variety of issues, such as marijuana-use accommodations; religious accommodations; and revising its nationwide approach to the accommodation of blind employees, among others.
- Assisted a global pharmaceutical company with a project to develop a way to analyze and leverage the qualitative data generated through the company’s annual employee engagement survey.
- Advised a multitude of companies on labor and employment issues arising in corporate transactions.
- Acting as national employment law counsel and plant employment law counsel for Toyota Motor North America.
- Handling a portfolio of labor, employment, and benefits advice and litigation for The Boeing Company.
Proskauer Rose LLP
Proskauer Rose LLP has established itself as a go-to address for a multitude of companies, universities and sports institutions. Its broad practice covers compliance advice, trainings, internal investigations and assistance in government audits, among other matters. Noteworthy is also the team's engagement by other law firms in related mandates. The New York-based Neil Abramson and Joseph Baumgarten, who both have a comprehensive background in the field, lead the team. In the same office, Bettina Plevan stands out as an expert on discrimination, harassment and employee benefits matters. Mark Batten in Boston is regularly approached by clients to advise them on hiring, leaves, termination and the accommodation of disabilities. Guy Brenner, based in Washington DC, is a key contact for trade secrets and non-compete matters. Kate Gold bolstered the Los Angeles office, which is headed up by Anthony Oncidi, with her arrival in February 2019 from Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. Other prominent practitioners include Elise Bloom, Steven Hurd, Kathleen McKenna and Howard Robbins as well as Keisha-Ann Gray and Evandro Gigante in New York. Erika Collins left for Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. in August 2019.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Elise Bloom; Bettina Plevan; Mark Batten; Guy Brenner; Kate Gold; Anthony Oncidi; Steven Hurd; Kathleen McKenna; Howard Robbins; Keisha-Ann Gray; Evandro Gigante
Key clients
Major League Baseball
Major League Soccer
National Basketball Association
National Football League
National Hockey League
The Metropolitan Opera
McDonald’s Corporation
New York City Ballet
New England Newspapers
Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico
Vice Media
Work highlights
- Counseling various sports leagues on day-to-day labor and employment matters.
- Assisted New York City Ballet with the implementation of new policies after the investigation relating to allegations of abuse was concluded.
- Acted for McDonald’s Corporation in various sensitive employment matters.
- Providing Vice Media with day-to-day counseling on U.S. and international employment and benefits issues.
- Acted as outside counsel to the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico on employment, compliance and administrative law matters.
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Seyfarth Shaw LLP's team has an impressive range of multinational companies from various industries on its client roster and regularly advises them on organizational change as well as on the design and implementation of compliance systems and processes by developing technology tools in order to avoid litigation. Particular areas of expertise include pay equity matters, in which practice head David Baffa, Annette Tyman and Christine Hendrickson in Chicago are noted, and workplace discrimination and harassment matters, for which New York's William Perkins is a key contact. In the Boston office, Lisa Damon's assistance with policy implementations is instrumental to clients to avoid lawsuits. In Chicago, Ellen McLaughlin has extensive experience in conducting sensitive internal investigations, while Tracy Billows is well versed in leave and accommodations related rights. Counsel Lawrence Lorber, based in Washington DC, is experienced in corporate reorganizations. In the same office, Karla Grossenbacher is also noted. Associate Joshua Seidman in New York is a specialist in paid sick leave laws.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Annette Tyman; Christine Hendrickson; William Perkins; Lisa Damon; Ellen McLaughlin; Tracy Billows; Lawrence Lorber; Karla Grossenbacher; Joshua Seidman; Chelsea Mesa
Work highlights
- Assisted employers with the deployment of workplace technology, such as biometric technology and GPS tracking technology.
- Conducted a comprehensive review of all employment related policies and procedures following a significant acquisition for a Fortune 50 company.
- Regularly conduct trainings for a multitude of clients.
- Assessed security incidents for different employers that involved personal information of employees and evaluated whether the incident amounted to a ‘data breach’ under applicable law.
- Conducted a nationwide tip pooling legal analysis regarding on behalf of Fogo de Chao tipped employees.
Jones Day
Jones Day is noted for its comprehensive labor and employment practice, which is regularly sought out by clients from a variety of industries, such as healthcare, hospitality and media. It impresses with its close cross-office cooperation, which in particular adds value for companies with an international setup. The team, which is led by Michael Gray in Chicago and Matthew Lampe in New York, assists clients with everything from terminations, reductions and compensation systems to the development of compliance systems and policies. Chicago-based Elizabeth McRee is a specialist in wage-and-hour topics, while Michael Rossman regularly advises on litigation-avoidance strategies. In the New York office, Terri Chase is noted for her broad counselling practice and Martin Schmelkin is a key contact for finacial services firms. Lindsay Hedrick, Brian Jorgensen and Stanley Weiner are highlighted practitioners in Dallas. Atlanta's of counsels Deborah Sudbury, who has a strong track record in board-level investigations, and Elaine Walsh are other names to note as well as Steven Zadravecz in Irvine and Joanne Bush in Houston.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Elizabeth McRee; Michael Rossman; Terri Chase; Martin Schmelkin; Lindsay Hedrick; Brian Jorgensen; Stanley Weiner; Deborah Sudbury; Elaine Walsh; Steven Zadravecz; Joanne Bush; Tonya Braun; Brian West Easley; Jessica Kastin
Testimonials
‘The team takes the time to thoroughly understand the client’s culture, goals and practices and then incorporates that understanding into its assistance.‘
‘Steven Zadravecz does a great job mentoring young associates, who are then able to actively handle aspects of the cases at reduced cost, while still providing excellent service. He is also very open to listening to different perspectives; truly a pleasure to work with.’
Paul Hastings LLP
Paul Hastings LLP has a strong footprint in the labor and employment area in its Los Angeles, Washington DC and New York offices. While a strong focus of the practice is on contentious work, the team also counsels multi-national clients on a wide range of employment and workplace matters, such as internal investigations, terminations and compliance systems. Los Angeles' Elena Baca leads the practice, which also includes Nancy Abell and government investigations expert Leslie Abbott. In the New York office, Patrick Shea is a go-to specialist for employment discrimination and wrongful discharge, while Kenneth Gage is well versed in reviewing employment processes and pay equity studies. Carson Sullivan in Washington DC is noted for her expertise in the trade secrets and restrictive covenant field. Bradford Newman is the key contact in Palo Alto for employee mobility matters.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Nancy Abell; Leslie Abbott; Patrick Shea; Kenneth Gage; Carson Sullivan; Bradford Newman
Testimonials
‘They are exceptional expert advisors in all areas of employment law. ‘
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
Managements from companies and financial institutions regularly seek Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP's team for advice on the full gamut of employment-related matters. Areas of special expertise include internal investigations, executive terminations as well as whistleblower claims and complaints regarding discrimination and harassment. The New York-based group is led by Gary Friedman, who is experienced in discrimination matters and advice on organizational changes. Another key figure is Jeffrey Klein, who is frequently approached in connection with sensitive internal investigations. Counsel Ami Zweig is particularly active for financial service companies, non-profit organizations and funds.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team stands out with thoughtful consideration of case by case circumstances as well as its ability to boil down complex situations to salient details for client.’
‘Jeffrey Klein is smart, attentive, personable and calm. He is the perfect teammate for in-house counsel with an understanding of business in addition to the legal ramifications of issues.’
Key clients
Euronext
L3 Technologies (n/k/a L3Harris Technologies)
Mastercard Inc.
Country Fresh Carolinas
NBA Pro Basketball Player Zion Williamson
Signet Jewelers
Creative Artists Agency
Work highlights
- Advised Signet Jewelers on ongoing employment counselling issues, such hiring and termination, analysis of compensation issues, development of training materials, and various other issues.
Baker McKenzie LLP
Baker McKenzie LLP acts as trusted advisor for a range of international companies, particularly from the financial services and technology industries. The team's activity in diversity & inclusion and pay equity mandates, investigations as well as compliance queries in IPOs and data privacy matters is considerable. Projects such as spin-offs or workforce restructurings, often in an international context, are another area of expertise. This is also a focus for Palo Alto's Susan Eandi, who heads up the practice. Houston-based Emily Harbison's broad practice includes advising on executive mobility, wrongful discharge and wage-and-hour topics. Benjamin Ho in San Francisco is regularly involved in various transactions, and Joseph Deng in Los Angeles and Elizabeth Ebersole in Chicago are also noted.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Emily Harbison; Benjamon Ho; Joseph Deng; Elizabeth Ebersole
Key clients
Keysight Technologies
Chicago ParkingAssociation
McDonald’s
Nuance Communications Servier S.A.S.
Spectrum Brands Inc.
Work highlights
- Counseled Keysight on the integration of Ixia into the client’s structure which required employee transfers in multiple jurisdictions.
- Advised Spectrum Brands on employment matters in connection with its sale of its battery and lighting business of private equity-backed consumer products company to Energizer Holdings.
- Assisted McDonald’s Corporation on employment and compensation matters relating to the acquisition of Apprente.
- Acted for Servier S.AS in its acquisition of Shire plc in which the team handled all employment and employee benefit aspects of the transaction.
Davis & Gilbert LLP
Davis & Gilbert LLP's employment counseling practice is based in New York and covers the full spectrum of related matters, including executive contracts, restrictive covenants, retaliation, discrimination and employee retention. The team is regularly sought out by employers from the transportation, construction and real estate management sectors, as well as increasingly by financial institutions and clients from the fashion, publishing, and hospitality industries. The practice group is jointly chaired by Gregg Gilman, who is well versed in the crisis management of various situations; and Daniel Feinstein, who has a track record of securing favorable settlements for clients in contentious negotiations. Jessica Golden Cortes is recognized for her niche experience in social media issues in employment contexts. Shira Franco, whose focus is on advising financial service clients, and Jason Pruzansky are also recommended.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Jessica Golden Cortes; Howard Rubin; Shira Franco; Jason Pruzansky; Sharon Cohen; Judith Kong
Key clients
Carey International
Fortress Investment Group
BNP Paribas
Turner Construction Company
York Capital Management
PR Newswire
Rudin Management
Criteo
Horizon Media
Silverstein Properties, Inc.
The Feil Organization
Integ Advisors
Saatva, Inc.
City of New York
City National Bank
Palm Bay International
Travel Leaders Group
GTIS Partners
Angelo Gordon
New York City Council
Apax Partners
New Fortress Energy
Cadian Capital
PebblePost
New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Seritage Growth Properties
Drive Shack Inc.
Work highlights
- Assisted the Turner Construction Company with a variety of matters, such as internal audits.
- Mandated by the City of New York to provide sexual harassment prevention training to the City’s elected City Council Members.
- Handled multiple investigations into claims of sexual harassment, racial harassment and sexual orientation harassment for different clients.
- Acted as labor and employment counsel for Fortress Investment Group.
- Representing Strand Books in ongoing labor and employment matters.
Dentons
Dentons' practice covers the full array of workplace and employment counseling matters for national and international companies, and the team's involvement in cross-border transactions and its close collaboration with the firm's M&A practice particularly stand out. It also regularly advises on trade secret issues, compliance systems, and disputes avoidance. Atlanta-based Daniel Beale heads up the practice and is a key contact in agreements regarding restrictive covenants. Cynthia Jackson in Silicon Valley advises clients when it comes to implementing initiatives and new policies. San Francisco's Sandra McCandless is noted for her international practice and her experience in sexual harassment and fraud investigations. Brian Baggott in Kansas City is another name to note. Brian Cousin and Richard Scharlat left for McDermott Will & Emery LLP in October 2019.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Avis
Summit Materials
Worldwide CLinital Trials
Blue Chakra Connections
Skai Bentures
Ripple
Work highlights
- Conducted several pay equity audits and provided subsequent pay adjustment advice for various high tech clients.
- Acting as global outside employment counsel to Ripple.
- Advised Avis Budget Group on the development of United States policies and procedures to develop skills of its employees and internal communications while protecting employee data privacy.
- Providing day-to-day employment and labor counseling to Summit Materials and its operating companies across the country.
- Advised Worldwide Clinical Trials on restrictive covenant and non-compete matters.
Epstein Becker & Green, P.C.
Epstein Becker & Green, P.C.'s practice has considerable experience in advising clients from a variety of sectors, such as the healthcare and life sciences, financial services, hospitality, retail and media, among others. The large team is particularly well versed in wage-and-hour topics, disability discrimination and termination matters. The New York-based practice head David Garland is specialized in wrongful discharge and discrimination cases. Marc Mandelman, also in New York, knows compliance-related questions well. Jeremy Brown in Newark is a key contact for litigation avoidance. Other noteworthy practitioners from this office are Carmine Iannaccone, Denise Merna Dadika and James Flynn. Adam Forman in Detroit is regularly approached for his knowledge about technology in the workplace. Other highlighted contacts are William Milani and Susan Gross Sholinsky in New York, Rich Frey in Los Angeles, Stamford's Peter Stein and Deborah DeHart Cannavino as well as Paul DeCamp and Nathaniel Glasser in Washington DC. The arrival of James Oh from Littler Mendelson, P.C. in early 2019 further strengthened the Chicago office.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Marc Mandelman; Jeremy Brown; Carmine Iannaccone; Denise Merna Dadika; James Flynn; Adam Forman; William Milani; Susan Gross Sholinsky; Rich Frey; Peter Stein; Deborah DeHart Cannavino; Paul DeCamp; Nathaniel Glasser; James Oh
Testimonials
‘Rich Frey is very knowledgeable and always willing to explain everything. He is an amazing lawyer.’
Work highlights
- Advised different HR departments on benefits and risks of engaging AI tools.
Greenberg Traurig LLP
Greenberg Traurig LLP fields a significant team of experienced lawyers who regularly assist clients with labor and employment matters such as trainings, compliance and the drafting of policies and agreements. The team is experienced in topics such as pay equity, leave laws, discrimination and wrongful discharge, among others. Kelly Dobbs Bunting in Philadelphia has expertise in the drafting and negotiating of various agreements. Chicago's Tiffany Fordyce is frequently approached to give employment training seminars, and Kristine Feher in New Jersey is another go-to contact for workplace trainings. Johnine Barnes in Washington DC, Atlanta-based John Richards and Boston's Justin Keith are also highlighted. James Boudreau, Naomi Beer and David Long-Daniels in Philadelphia, Denver and Atlanta respectively head up the practice.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Kelly Dobbs Bunting; Tiffany Fordyce; Kristine Feher; Johnine Barnes; John Richards; Justin Keith
Key clients
Profit Investment Mgt. Inc.
Hello and Hla Media Inc.
Sunday Sky
Work highlights
- Assisted Profit Investment Management in connection with its corporate restructuring with special regards to downsizing.
- Providing ongoing employment counsel to Hello and Hola Media, and SundaySky, which have recently entered the U.S. market.
- Acting as SL Green Realty’s transactional labor counsel and human resources counsel.
Jackson Lewis P.C.
Employment boutique Jackson Lewis P.C. covers the full gamut of workplace counseling mandates, such as handbooks and personnel policies, discrimination and sexual harassment, retaliation prevention, terminations as well as disability and leave management, among other matters. The large team sees specialists in virtually every area and industry. Hartford's Margaret Strange is well versed in management trainings, and Richard Cino in Morristown is experienced in corporate governance matters and internal investigations. Philip Rosen in New York is noted for his broad practice, Debra Weiss Ford, based in Portsmouth, has longstanding experience in the field, and Brooks Amiot in Baltimore is a key contact for whistleblower complaints. Other noted practitioners are Richard Greenberg and Francis Alvarez in New York, Morristown-based Joseph Lazzarotti, Samia Kirmani and Jeffrey Brody from the Boston office, as well as Beverly Garofalo in Hartford and Atlanta's Edward Cherof. Kevin Lauri in New York and William Anthony in Albany are the firm's chairs.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Margaret Strange; Richard Cino; Debra Weiss Ford; Philip Rosen; Brooks Amiot; Richard Greenberg; Francis Alvarez; Joseph Lazzarotti; Samia Kirmani; Jeffrey Brody; Beverly Garofalo; Edward Cherof
Testimonials
‘Philip Rosen is noted for his knowledge of the issues and his responsiveness.’
Key clients
Indiana General Assembly
Shimadzu Scientific Instruments
Pfizer Inc.
Volvo North America, Inc.
BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC
Wal-Mart Inc.
American Airlines
Hilton Grand Vacations
Ambry Genetics Corporation
Nestlé USA
Work highlights
- Conducted a c-suite executive discussion round table for publicly traded and privately held companies on using #MeToo and # TIMESUP to make culture change happen.
- Providing general labor and employment advice and counseling to Shimadzu Scientific Instruments.
- Acted as a breach coach in a phishing incident for a real estate development and property management company.
- Providing general labor and employment advice and counseling to Shimadzu Scientific Instruments.
Littler Mendelson, P.C.
As an employment boutique with a global presence, Littler Mendelson, P.C. is well-positioned to advise on cross-border matters. The team is regularly engaged by clients from multiple industries, including construction, energy, financial services, hospitality, healthcare and education. The firm is also noted for its offering of service solution programs for clients. Its chairs Thomas Bender and Jeremy Roth are based in Philadelphia and San Diego respectively. New York-based Jonathan Shapiro is well versed in compliance and managing workforces matters. The key contacts in Texas include Arthur Carter in Dallas as well as Houston's Kerry Notestine and Kelley Edwards. Maury Baskin in Washington DC is an experienced advisor on labor policies. Other highlighted practitioners are Minneapolis' Michael Congiu and David Goldstein, Stefan Marculewicz in Washington DC, Gary Lieberman in Boston and San Francisco's Michael Lotito as well as George O’Brien in New Haven and Meredith Shoop in Cleveland.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Jonathan Shapiro; Arthur Carter; Kerry Notestine; Kelley Edwards; Maury Baskin; Michael Congui; David Goldstein; Stefan Marculewicz; Gary Lieberman; Michael Lotito; George O’Brien; Meredith Shoop
Work highlights
- Acted for a national bank in connection with the internal investigation of two whistleblower complaints filed using the hotline alleging inappropriate conduct by a senior executive employee.
- Assisted CenterPoint Energy with the restructuring following its merger with Vectren Corp.
Mayer Brown
The team at Mayer Brown acts as experienced advisor for clients from industries including financial services, transportation, food and beverages, and technology. A particular area of expertise is the wage-and-hour space, be it contentious or non-contentious. John Zaimes in Los Angeles is well versed in a variety of topics such as discrimination, restrictive covenant and OSHA investigations. Chicago-based Marcia Goodman also has a broad practice which includes advising on equality matters, transactions, terms of employment and policies. Wage-and-hour specialists Ruth Zadikany in Los Angeles and Andrew Rosenman jointly lead the practice group. Richard Nowak is also recommended.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The Mayer Brown team is extremely smart, talented, and the group you want to use for complex and high profile single plaintiff and class action matters. It exercises superb judgment and knows how to handle matters which meet business priorities and needs.‘
‘An excellent lawyer at the firm is Andrew Rosenman, who is down to earth and personable yet a fierce advocate when needed.’
Key clients
PetSmart
Amy’s Kitchen
Welltec
City of Chicago
Work highlights
- Assisted a designer, manufacturer and distributor of mobile device accessories with pre-litigation advice regarding the misappropriation of trade secrets by its former employees, as well as violations of their restrictive covenants.
- Advised Choose Chicago on matters such as performance, discipline, termination and leave implementation.
- Providing Amy’s Kitchen on a regular basis with labor and employment law advice.
Ogletree Deakins
Labour and employment boutique Ogletree Deakins covers the full gamut of workplace and employment counseling mandates. Its large team, which is based all across the US, takes on matters such as pay equity, diversity and inclusion, whistleblowers, and trade secrets, among others. On the West coast, names to note include Gregory Cheng in San Francisco and Joseph Beachboard in Los Angeles, who both advise on Californian law. Washington DC-based Melissa Bailey is specialized in workplace safety matters. Timothy Garnett in St Louis, Margaret Campbell in Atlanta and Ron Chapman in Dallas are key contacts in their respective offices. Columbia's Leigh Nason, Nonnie Shivers in Greenville and Phoenix-based Stephen Woods are also highlighted. Matthew Keen in Raleigh is the managing partner of the firm. The firm saw multiple new arrivals, including Scott Preston in Indianapolis from Jackson Lewis P.C. in November 2019.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Gregory Cheng; Joseph Beachboard; Melissa Bailey; Timothy Garnett; Margaret Campbell; Ron Chapman; Leigh Nason; Nonnie Shivers; Stephen Woods; Scott Preston
Reed Smith LLP
International law firm Reed Smith LLP is active in various locations in a wide range of employment counseling matters. Its services include transactional support, internal investigations, workforce downsizing, restrictive covenants and terminations, among others. The team is regularly engaged by clients from industries such as energy, oil and gas, healthcare and life sciences. Tyree Jones in Washington DC heads up the practice, which also includes Richmond's Betty Graumlich, who is well versed in wrongful discharge and employment torts. Casey Ryan and David McAllister are highlighted practitioners in the Pittsburgh office.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers: