Labor & Employment

Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP is a company with a true labor practice - not simply litigators who try work cases. On a relative basis for a company our size, we have among the biggest work and labor groups in California. Each of our attorneys works closely and personally with employer customers to develop proactive compliance and dispute resolution techniques. Our company believe this individually therapy is far more effective than an unwieldy group. We deal with clients to assist them prevent workplace issues, but where controversy is inescapable, we have dealt with literally numerous jury trials, administrative trials and appeals before courts and administrative companies across the country.

JMBM is recognized as a Go-To Law Practice® & reg; for the top 500 business in the United States in the locations of labor lawsuits and labor & employment law, as identified by American Lawyer Media's (ALM) yearly study of internal counsel at FORTUNE 500® & reg; companies. Because labor and employment issues often include high stakes and intense time pressure, our legal representatives are devoted to giving employers the most immediate service possible. We respond without delay and without stop working, with uncomplicated advice from an experienced legal representative who won't pass your issue off to somebody else. Issues like sexual harassment and office violence need instant attention- and job we supply it.

Employers in the middle of a disagreement over an arranging drive or an unfair labor practice problem depend on our aggressive and timely action. Accountability and accessibility are our watchwords, and you get direct access to the person who can resolve your issue or answer your question.

One of the strengths of our labor and employment group is the variety of the employers we represent. Public and private companies in service sectors ranging from fundamental manufacturing to innovation, clothing to aerospace and from health care to financial services all rely on JMBM labor lawyers, job regardless of the issue. Many clients have been with us 10 to 20 years-in many cases working with the exact same knowledgeable attorney who thoroughly understands their company.

Our industry-specific avoidance and preparedness techniques can avoid or reduce costly claims. We work carefully with senior executives and in-house counsel to craft customized, reliable employment policies - complete with a focus on correctly training managers and HR staff on legal rights and obligations. Our services work to ensure compliance with national and state labor laws, decrease conflicts with employees, and take full advantage of strategic benefit if lawsuits is necessary. We worry innovative preparation and aggressive advocacy for each client.

There are service sectors where we have special ability in dealing with work matters. Many law practice rely on us for counsel on problems including staff and job lawyers, and we typically advise broker-dealers on non-compete and disciplinary controversies. Our legal representatives likewise effectively represent lots of healthcare and hospitality industry customers in collective bargaining and other labor and work concerns.

Any safeguarded class of employees-by age, race, gender, special needs, religion-could bring fit versus a company under the discrimination statues. We have actually effectively litigated and resolved all types of discrimination matters brought under such employment laws as the:

- Americans with Disabilities Act
- Family Medical Leave Act
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act
- Fair Labor Standards Act
- Family and Medical Leave Act
The very best way to manage any claim is to avoid it from being submitted, and we provide clients efficient assistance right from the start to manage grievances properly and keep them from becoming lawsuits. If lawsuits is essential, our lawyers investigate completely and prepare a strong position that can negate plaintiff claims.

We provide strong defense in state and federal court, in administrative actions before the Federal Equal Job Opportunity Commission and before all the California state firms - the Department of Labor Standards Enforcement, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and the Employment Development Department.

Often overlapping with discrimination issues are claims for wrongful termination, retaliatory treatment and whistle blowing. We comprehend the necessity in such cases to show that an employer's actions appertained, and regardless of the notoriety that is sometimes involved, we have actually had considerable success at revealing that employer conduct was genuine and handled effectively.

Whether your company presently has 3rd party representation or looks for to preserve a work environment without such involvement, our extremely effective labor relations counsel can be essential to assisting maintain a competitive work environment while minimizing disputes and making the most of management flexibility. Employers that deal with union arranging drives rely on our assistance to:

- Maintain a positive workplace with open interaction with all staff members
- Abide by NLRB election laws
- Counter aggressive unionizing efforts without developing a "union-busting" debate
In unionized workplaces, our company is a highly competent and job responsive partner that works together with business human resources and labor relations workers to:

- Take part in collective bargaining - consisting of multi-union,
- React to grievance and arbitration actions
- Manage reductions in force, drug screening, discipline proceedings and strikes
- Provide representation in NLRB procedures
Responsiveness, determination and focus are what set our labor relations counsel apart from that of other law firms. We provide immediate action, day-and-night schedule in crisis scenarios and aggressive defense of all employers' rights.

We safeguard many employers against class action claims in which staff members demand back overtime pay-and countless dollars in damages-claiming that under company policies the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime pay exemption no longer applies to them.

JMBM labor lawyers can help employers prevent classification problems that lead to suits by:

- Auditing existing income policy and job pay practices
- Reviewing the language of composed work policies to ensure they adhere to FLSA requirements for exempt and non-exempt employees
- Making sure all exempt employee job descriptions include management and guidance
If you as an employer are faced with a wage and hour suit, whether under federal law or California wage and hour statutes, job we install an energetic and effective defense. Your JMBM legal representative will look for to deny class certification and work to secure an efficient and reliable settlement that dismisses unproven claims and protects your interests.

Disputes over non-compete contracts involving trade tricks often pit employers against each other - especially in California, where the state's Unfair Competition Law (Section 17200) makes it particularly tough to implement non-compete terms. We've dealt with litigation representing both workers' previous and present companies, and are knowledgeable at protecting and resisting TROs and permanent injunctions to protect employer interests in either type of case.