Carrington Coleman's employment practice group specializes in working with employers on a wide variety of labor and employment-related issues. Our services range from comprehensive employment counseling to extensive litigation in federal and state courts and arbitrations. In addition, we represent clients before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Texas Workforce Commission, the Texas Commission on Human Rights, as well as other federal and state agencies.
Our lawyers have significant experience handling a broad range of employment matters. We have defended claims brought under Title VII, Title IX, Section 1981, the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, ERISA, the Texas Workers' Compensation Act, the Workers Adjustment and Retraining Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and other statutory and common law causes of action. For example, we have recently represented in litigation:
► A Fortune 500 company in a multi-plaintiff age discrimination and retaliation lawsuit;
► An international construction company in several lawsuits involving worker’s compensation retaliation, sexual harassment, and disability discrimination claims;
► A major telecommunications company in lawsuits involving issues of wrongful termination and age discrimination;
► A national retailer in a collective action under the Fair Labor Standards Act;
► A national financial institution in a series of arbitration proceedings involving allegations of age, race, and disability discrimination, as well as violations of the Equal Pay Act; and
► A major airline in a labor arbitration proceeding under the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement.
While we are proud of our litigation prowess, we understand that avoiding litigation is the more important goal. Accordingly, we place a strong emphasis on helping our clients avoid litigation through counseling on personnel policies, benefit plans, facility closings, reductions in force, employment agreements, arbitration agreements, and the development of training programs for managers and employees. We also advise employers on day-to-day issues concerning investigations, discharge, discipline, employee accidents and injuries, medical and other leave, as well as a wide variety of other employment-related matters. Some recent examples of our non-litigation matters include the following:
► Creation of employment policies, procedures, and training guidance for a local technology start-up company;
► Representation of an international manufacturer of telecommunications equipment in designing and executing a nationwide workforce reduction;
► Provision of anti-harassment training for property management company’s employees in all offices in Texas; and
► Provision of day-to-day counseling and advice to a number of clients regarding employment-related matters.
As an additional service, the employment practice group sends out periodic updates to its clients on important employment-related topics via email, and provides opportunities for clients to participate in informative telephone conferences regarding updates in this ever-changing field of law. Recent client updates have addressed the first administrative interpretation of the Family and Medical Leave Act, workplace rights for working mothers under the Fair Labor Standards Act, new additions and changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act,, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, and Executive Orders signed by President Obama concerning union and labor relations.
For more information, please contact:
Practice Chair:
Mike Birrer
214-855-3113
mbirrer@ccsb.com
Attorneys:
Not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Certification except as noted.
