Kelley Drye’s Labor and Employment attorneys have represented the interests of employers for more than 60 years. We appear on their behalf before federal, state and local agencies in matters involving traditional labor relations, wage and hour issues, employment contracts, wrongful discharge, harassment and hostile environment, and employment discrimination claims. Additionally, we have represented numerous financial advisors, law firms and other entities in high-stakes partnership disputes, including dissolution and breach of fiduciary duty allegations.

Client Counseling

Because cost-efficiency begins with the prevention of workplace disputes, we encourage clients to involve us in the preventative aspects of counseling on employee relations. We stand ready to provide timely, practical advice regarding a wide range of employee relations issues including compliance with the FLSA, FMLA and ADA, performance management, recruitment, compensation and Equal Pay Act compliance, benefits, discipline and termination.

We also advise our clients with respect to reductions in force, employment contracts and non-compete agreements, sexual harassment policies and the review of employee handbooks and human resources policies. Our practice also includes the preparation of affirmative action plans and counsel regarding drug and alcohol issues.

Agency Representation and Employment Litigation

We regularly appear before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and various state and local fair employment practice agencies in response to administrative charges of discrimination. Our practice includes the preparation of position statements, appearances at fact findings and participation in alternative dispute resolution including arbitration and mediation.

Kelley Drye also provides practical solutions and regulatory counseling to our clients on a broad range of industrial health and safety issues. We represent companies and trade associations by engaging OSHA at all levels in its rulemaking process. By developing technically supportable and legally credible data and arguments, we have helped shape OSHA rules, such as Hazard Communication and Hexavalent Chromium Workplace Exposure Standards, in a way that protects our clients’ interests and workers’ health and safety.

When legal action is unavoidable, we vigorously defend our clients’ interests before state and federal courts. Our experience encompasses scores of single plaintiff and class action cases involving, among other allegations, age, race, gender, disability and national origin discrimination.

Traditional Labor Relations

Our labor relations practice includes the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, WARN Act compliance, and the sale, transfer or shutdown of operations. We also regularly represent clients at arbitrations and in matters before the National Labor Relations Board, such as elections and unfair labor practice proceedings.