Labor and Employment Law is All We Do
This focus means our legal advice is practical and born not only from academic study, but from decades of experience and countless cases litigated. Allen Norton & Blue attorneys have literally rewritten the book on a court’s instructions to the jury on the law (ABA’s Model Jury Instructions Employment Litigation Section of Litigation [Second Edition 2005]), and our trial experience enables us to better anticipate the concerns, questions and reactions of jurors and judges. We provide services to prevent and solve workplace issues and represent management in all aspects of Labor and Employment Law.
Employers get sued. We represent public and private employers in federal and state court, as well as before administrative agencies and commissions. Our attorneys have extensive experience in jury trials, class and collective actions, and arbitration. We partner with our clients from the outset to create a strategy for representation that fits the employer’s culture.
Traditional labor law has been the cornerstone of our practice since the Firm’s inception over 50 years ago. Although union membership has declined, unions have become more sophisticated and aggressive, and the labor movement remains very powerful in today’s workplace. Our attorneys provide practical guidance on the best practices to maintain positive employee relations and avoid labor problems. Additionally, our attorneys are experienced under both NLRA and PERA in union avoidance, have negotiated favorable collective bargaining agreements, and advise clients on administration of bargaining agreements regarding issues such as discipline and contract interpretation. We defend employers in arbitration proceedings, hearings on charges of unfair labor practices, and our attorneys work closely with employers to prepare for and respond to strikes and secondary boycotts.
Our attorneys work closely with employers to develop policies, strategies, and procedures to prevent employment disputes and lawsuits from arising. We assist employers in drafting handbooks and policies that comply with all local, state, and federal laws. Allen Norton & Blue also provides training to managers, supervisors, and employees on an array of topics focused on compliance with the employer’s policies. We provide employers advice on implementing these policies as well as on day-to-day matters such as hiring, discipline, termination, and response to employee complaints of unfairness or harassment.
A prompt and correctly conducted workplace investigation is an excellent defense to many employment related claims. If such investigations are conducted improperly, however, they create a significant risk of exposure. Our attorneys are experienced in conducting workplace investigations for public and private sector employers of various sizes and across most industries, in both unionized and non-union settings. Investigations are conducted in response to suspected violations of company rules, allegations of criminal misconduct, theft, compliance issues, or allegations of discrimination, retaliation, and harassment. Our attorneys also conduct compliance audits to ensure compliance with all areas of employment laws including FLSA, Immigration Reform Act, and identify potential problems before legal action arises.