Labor & Employment Law

Since its inception, Archer & Greiner has represented management in its practice of labor and employment law. The partners and associates who comprise the firm’s Labor and Employment Law Department are involved in every aspect of the labor and employment law practice. The most basic representation involves day-to-day advice and counsel to personnel and human resource departments with respect to the numerous labor and employment matters which arise from daily operations. In many cases, the firm is involved in assisting clients in proactively minimizing discrimination or wrongful termination charges, in addition to offering advice as to decisions affecting personnel policies and collective bargaining agreements.

We are often called upon to review employee handbooks and manuals, not only from a legal but also a human relations standpoint. Such a review is recommended on a periodic basis in order to assure compliance with the ever changing federal and state labor laws and to avoid unintended employer liability.

A significant amount of time is spent in labor and employment litigation, which includes the defense of employment discrimination and wrongful discharge cases in federal and state courts, arbitration proceedings, the defense of individual employment contract actions, and proceedings before various state and federal administrative agencies, including the National Labor Relations Board, United States, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania Departments of Labor, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, and OSHA.

Our attorneys have assisted employers in the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, whether as lead negotiator or in an advisory capacity. We have obtained injunctions and have instituted suits for damages and other relief for struck employers and have counseled employers faced with boycotts, slowdowns, union organization and other forms of union activity.We have counseled employers in a number of highly complex and specialized areas such as ERISA, and have been involved in the litigation of ERISA cases involving not only pension plans but other benefit plans as well.

The Department has defended numerous federal and state wage and hour audits and lawsuits and OSHA citations. Department members have appeared before the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and have drafted and defended affirmative action programs on both the federal and state level.

In conjunction with attorneys in the Firm’s Tax Group, the Labor and Employment Law Department has developed an expertise in employee benefits matters. The Department has handled ERISA and other benefits-related litigation and has extensive experience in drafting retirement, Section 401(k), cafeteria/flexible benefits and other employee welfare plans. Attorneys in the Department also have handled reductions in force and the individual and group severance plans and agreements.

Our practice involves the representation of employers based and operating in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and elsewhere. Indeed, we serve as labor and employment counsel to numerous employers with respect to business operations nationwide.

Among the firm’s labor and employment clients are Lockheed Martin, Orrefors/Royal Scandinavia, Inc., Bancroft NeuroHealth, Heritage Dairy Stores, Inc., Associated Press, Sprague Energy Group, Tandy Corporation, Samaritan Hospice, Delphi Technology, United Medical Corporation, Quest Diagnostics, Inc., Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey, The Lenape Board of Education, the Adventure Aquarium, Princeton University, Rowan University, and the Delaware River Port Authority.

The Department’s attorneys are well known to businesses and attorneys throughout the region. They are frequent lecturers for the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, the New Jersey State Bar Association, the Council on Education in Management, various chapters of the Society for Human Resources Management and other bar, business and civic groups.

For more information, contact Labor Department Chair, Gary J. Lesneski, Esquire at glesneski@archerlaw.com.

Labor & Employment Law Attorney(s)

Practices

Labor & Employment Law