Areas of expertise
Employment Law
Understanding employment laws is essential for employers to navigate the complex legal landscape and protect their rights and interests and the interests of their employees. We know that navigating the intricacies of federal, state, and local employment regulations can be overwhelming and time-consuming. That’s why our dedicated team of experienced employment law attorneys is here to overcome these challenges.
Protecting Your Business and EmployeesEvery Step of the Way
Our knowledgeable employment law attorneys stay informed with the latest legal developments and regulations to provide our clients with accurate and practical advice. Whether you need assistance with employment contracts, workplace policies, compliance with laws, or defending against employment disputes, Carlile Patchen & Murphy is here to help.
Contact us today for a consultation if you require expert guidance on employment law matters for your business. Our experienced employment law attorneys will work closely with you to understand your needs and provide tailored solutions that align with your goals. With CPM by your side, you can navigate your business with confidence.
Success Stories
Discover how we’ve helped businesses and organizations navigate the complexities of employment law. From resolving workplace disputes and ensuring regulatory compliance to drafting policies that protect both employers and employees, our success stories showcase our dedication to fostering fair, productive work environments.
Explore our Success Stories to see how we’ve delivered practical solutions, mitigated risks, and supported our clients in building strong, resilient workplaces.
Success Story
Enforcing Confidentiality Provisions
The Problem
A software development company hires a key employee who signs a contract containing non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality clauses. After leaving the company, the employee immediately starts working for a competitor, solicits clients from the previous employer, and discloses confidential information.
The Solution
The CPM attorney representing the software development company successfully files a lawsuit against the former employee, enforcing the restrictive covenants and obtaining an injunction to prevent further breaches. Additionally, the attorney secures a judgment for the company, including reimbursement of legal fees and costs incurred during the litigation process.
Learn more about our Litigation and Employment Law services.
Success Story
Navigating Wage and Hour Compliance for Small Business
The Problem
Small business owner faced challenges in understanding and complying with wage and hour regulations for exempt and nonexempt employees.
Our Solution
Our attorney conducted a wage and hour audit of the client’s current pay structure, practices and employee exemptions, providing the client with guidance on how to correct any identified issues.
The client was able to make changes to its pay practices in order to comply with applicable law, reducing risk of litigation in the future. Learn more about our Employment Services.
Success Story
Human Resources Best Practices for Closely-Held Business
The Problem
A closely held business lacked formal HR practices, which led to challenges handling internal disputes, policy implementation, employee retention, and legal compliance issues.
Our Solution
Our attorney worked with the business owner to establish structured HR policies and practices, create an employee handbook, resolve workplace issues, and strengthen company culture.
The business lowered its potential liability by implementing stronger internal processes, resulting in transparent practices for employees. Learn more about our Employment Services.
HR Consulting and Compliance Advice
Providing employees with consistent human resources (HR) support and ensuring compliance with employment laws takes significant time and effort. At CPM, we offer HR consulting services to assist our clients in developing effective HR strategies to benefit their workforce and maintain legal compliance.
Our proactive approach to helping clients deal with everyday workplace issues starts with providing expert HR consulting and compliance advice. We assist you in setting clear guidelines and expectations for your workforce, developing and enforcing workplace policies, and creating a healthy work environment that benefits both employers and employees. Our employment law attorneys regularly work with business owners and HR Directors to find solutions that follow the law and are tailored to the needs of a specific workplace.
From day-to-day advice on employment laws to addressing unique personnel problems, our attorneys guide you through the maze of employment regulations. By involving our lawyers in the process early on, clients benefit from a more deliberate approach to hiring, firing, and promotion while gaining confidence in handling workplace challenges.
+Hiring
Effective hiring practices are crucial for building a solid and talented workforce. Our attorneys assist employers in developing hiring strategies that comply with legal requirements, including:
- Job advertisements and postings
- Interview questions and techniques
- Employment applications and background checks
- Verification of employment eligibility
- Offer letters and employment agreements
- Establishing fair personnel policies
We help you navigate the hiring process to ensure compliance and minimize the risk of legal disputes.
+Background Checks
Conducting background checks on potential employees can be essential to the hiring process. Our attorneys can guide you in understanding and complying with the legal requirements for background checks. We help you develop policies and procedures to ensure that background checks are lawful and non-discriminatory.
We guide you through acceptable background check practices, including criminal history checks, credit checks, and reference checks. We help you make informed hiring decisions while protecting your business from potential liabilities.
+Employment Agreements
Employment agreements lay the foundation for a successful employment relationship. Our attorneys assist you in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating employment agreements that protect your interests and align with applicable laws. We cover key provisions, including:
- Job responsibilities and expectations
- Compensation and benefits
- Non-competition and non-solicitation clauses
- Intellectual property rights
- Employment termination and severance terms
By ensuring clear and comprehensive employment agreements, you can establish mutually beneficial relationships with your employees while safeguarding your business.
+Personnel Policies and Practices
Developing effective personnel policies and practices is essential for maintaining a productive and harmonious work environment. Our attorneys work closely with you to create policies that comply with applicable laws and address the unique needs of your business. We provide guidance on various policy areas, including:
- Anti-discrimination and harassment policies
- Code of conduct and ethics policies
- Attendance and punctuality policies
- Leave policies (FMLA, paid time off, etc.)
- Social media and electronic communications policies
With well-crafted personnel policies and practices in place, you can promote a positive work culture and mitigate the risk of legal disputes.
+State and Federal Wage and Hour Compliance
Complying with wage and hour laws is vital to avoid costly legal disputes. Our attorneys assist employers in understanding and meeting their obligations under state and federal wage and hour regulations. We guide businesses through wage and hour audits and disputes that address issues such as minimum wage, overtime pay, classification of employees, and record-keeping requirements. Ensuring proper wage and hour compliance protects your business from potential liability and maintains a fair compensation structure.
+Employee Leave and Reasonable Accommodation in the Workplace
Navigating employee leave requirements and accommodating disabilities in the workplace can be complex. Our attorneys provide guidance on various leave laws and help you develop policies and practices that comply with federal and state regulations. We assist with:
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) administration
- Paid sick leave requirements
- Pregnancy and parental leave
- Military leave and other protected leave
- Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities or religious requirements
By understanding your obligations and implementing proper procedures, you can effectively manage employee leave and ensure a supportive and inclusive work environment.
+Discipline and Discharge
Addressing employee misconduct and termination requires adherence to legal guidelines. Our attorneys provide guidance on disciplinary processes, performance improvement plans, and termination procedures to ensure compliance with employment laws. We help you navigate disciplinary actions and terminations while minimizing legal risks.
+Preventive Training and Seminars
Investing in preventive training and seminars can help mitigate employment-related risks and foster a positive work environment. Our attorneys offer customized training programs and seminars on various employment law topics, including:
- Preventing workplace harassment and discrimination
- Effective employee management and supervision
- Diversity and inclusion in the workplace
- Employment law updates and compliance training
- Conducting internal investigations
By providing proactive training, you can educate your workforce, promote a culture of compliance, and reduce the likelihood of legal disputes.
Compensating Key Employees
Attracting and retaining top talent requires developing effective compensation strategies for key employees. Our attorneys assist in structuring compensation packages, including incentives, equity-based compensation, and executive benefits. By developing comprehensive compensation plans, you can incentivize key employees, protect proprietary information, and ensure they align with legal requirements and your business goals.
Employment Litigation Prevention and Defense
A proactive response to employment-related litigation is crucial for protecting your organization. Our attorneys take a proactive approach by conducting compliance audits, providing alternative dispute resolution techniques, and developing litigation defense strategies for you. We help you minimize legal risks and provide robust representation if litigation arises.
+Workplace Investigations
Thorough workplace investigations are essential when addressing allegations of misconduct, discrimination, or harassment. There are many pitfalls to trap the unwary employer. Our attorneys conduct impartial and comprehensive investigations to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and provide factual findings. We assist you in making informed decisions and ensuring a fair and compliant work environment.
+Disability Accommodation and Protected Leave Litigation
Our attorneys regularly represent employers in disability accommodation and protected leave litigation cases. We defend against claims of failure to accommodate disabilities, denial of protected leave rights, and violations of state and federal leave laws. We provide effective advocacy to safeguard your organization’s interests.
+Termination Litigation
Disputes related to employee terminations lead to legal challenges for businesses if not handled appropriately. Our attorneys offer guidance and defense representation for businesses in termination litigation cases, including:
- Wrongful termination claims by former employees
- Breach of employment contracts
- Violation of termination policies by former employees
- Severance agreement disputes
By relying on our legal expertise, you can confidently navigate termination litigation and protect your organization’s interests.
Learn how we can protect your business with Termination and Severance Agreement litigation.
+Non-competition Covenant Enforcement
Protecting your organization’s proprietary information and competitive advantage requires enforcing non-competition covenants. Our attorneys assist in drafting enforceable non-compete agreements, litigating breaches, and seeking injunctive relief and damages. We help you safeguard your business interests and prevent unfair competition.
Individual Representation
In the dynamic realm of employment law, our esteemed law firm, renowned for its expertise in employer-centric matters, extends its services to address a range of individual representation needs. As we continue to provide top-tier counsel to employers, we recognize the importance of a balanced legal landscape. Our individual representation services are designed to guide employees through multifaceted scenarios, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of their rights while upholding the standards of fairness and legality. Our attorneys assist individuals with navigating:
- Employment contract negotiation
- Severance package reviews
- Advice and counsel regarding non-compete agreements and other restrictive covenants
Our individual representation services exemplify our nuanced approach to employment law, upholding fairness, ethics, and the rights of all parties involved.
How can we help you today?
Give us a call or send a message with any inquiries and legal questions.
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