Labor & Employment Law
The Labor and Employment practitioners of Brooks & DeRensis have long served both public and private sector employers. Our clients include employers in many business industries, as well as cities, towns, school committees, large public authorities, and individual clients in private sector employment matters.
We understand the practical as well as legal ramifications of labor and employment matters. Brooks & DeRensis is committed to providing prompt and creative solutions for all client needs. This includes a full complement of services – from counseling and training of clients and their staff, to negotiation and mediation of disputes, collective bargaining, arbitration, litigation, and appeals. In the process, we draw upon the Firm’s resources in the related areas of corporate, immigration law, and trial work.
Our services include:
- Representation before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the Massachusetts Division of Labor Relations, and the Massachusetts Civil Service Commission
- Counsel on employment discrimination matters, including practice before the Massachusetts Commission on Discrimination (MCAD) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
- Counsel on employee leave entitlements, including leave pursuant to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Small Necessities Leave Act, and Uniform Service Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
- Negotiation of collective bargaining agreements
- Arbitration of union contract disputes
- Defense of wrongful discharge lawsuits, discrimination claims, and claims for compensation
- Counsel and litigation regarding the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- Training for employers, supervisors and employees regarding recruiting and hiring, prevention of harassment and discrimination, employee discipline, employee evaluation, and accommodation issues under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Counsel regarding Reduction in Force and WARN Act compliance
- Counsel regarding internal investigations
- Negotiation and documentation of severance benefits
- Review, preparation, and litigation of non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-recruitment agreements
- Handbook development and review counseling
- Auditing compliance with state and federal laws