On The Pulse ... Employment Group Offers Counseling and Consulting Services, DD 06/06

Defense Digest

On the Pulse ... Employment Group Offers Counseling and Consulting Services

Marshall, Dennehey's Employment Practices Group has been representing self-insured and insurance company clients, such as AIG, Marriott and Denny's, in employment-related litigation for many years. We handle all areas of employment litigation, including but not limited to suits based on age, race, gender, national origin and disability discrimination; sexual harassment; Family Medical Leave Act; Fair Labor Standards Act; wrongful termination; and breach of contract. In so doing, we regularly appear before administrative agencies, such as the EEOC and state and local human relations agencies, as well as before the federal and state courts that sit in the jurisdictions where we have a presence –Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Ohio and Florida. Our seasoned litigators approach cases proactively and are often successful in obtaining early dismissal of claims at the administrative agency level or, alternatively, through motions to dismiss or summary judgment at the trial court level. When early dismissal is not possible, we provide aggressive and effective trial representation. Additionally, we have extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution proceedings at all stages of litigation.

As the laws in this ever-evolving area of litigation continue to change, the term "business as usual" has taken on new meaning. Employers today face not only the challenge of running a successful business, but they must also be certain to remain in compliance with federal, state and local employment laws and regulations. Thus, in addition to providing our clients with vigorous representation in employment lawsuits, the Employment Practices Group at Marshall, Dennehey also provides services which address the entire range of workplace issues that our employer and management clients face today, as well as those issues that they will likely face in the future.

Our Employment Practices Group offers advisory services to help employers limit or avoid litigation as much as possible. We regularly advise our clients on issues concerning statutory compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, Title VII, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Family Medical Leave Act, as well as other laws. As part of this advisory service, we offer training programs on a full range of employment matters and are able to tailor our programs and/or seminars to specific employee groups, such as supervisors, managers, human resource personnel, risk managers, as well as all employees.

In addition to seminars and training programs, we also offer assistance to personnel management on issues relating to hiring, performance, assessment and monitoring, investigations, discipline, discharge, workforce reduction programs, affirmative action plans and audits. We work with our clients to create legally compliant, efficient and comprehensive Employee Handbooks and personnel policies.

Over the past few decades, employment claims have become a regular part of doing business. It is, thus, necessary for employers to make certain that they are in compliance with these ever-evolving laws and regulations in order to minimize their exposure to potential claims. Up-to-date policies and Employee Handbooks, regular seminars and/or education programs, and the ability to contact counsel for advice concerning day-to-day employment issues are a must for employers in today's work environment.

Our Employment Practices Group is available to help employers develop a proactive approach to employment law issues so that their companies have the tools in place to address and, if necessary, defend the inevitable employment law claim. With these tools in place, our clients can focus upon the growth and development of their businesses with the knowledge that they are in compliance with current employment laws and statutes.

*Tom, a shareholder in our Philadelphia, PA office, is Chair of the firm's Employment Practices Group. He can be reached at (215) 575-2741 or tcdelorenzo@mdwcg.com.