Labor & Employment

Arnold & Clifford’s have decades of combined experience representing and advising clients on all manner of labor and employment matters. We combine legal knowledge and experience with a real-world understanding of smart, reasonable decision making when it comes to the issues facing both employers and employees.

Overview:

Our attorneys help organizations stay ahead of employment law trends, maintain effective and consistent workplace policies and practices, and prevent legal and compliance violations as much as possible. We work closely with our clients to provide practical counseling on labor and employment issues. And if litigation does arise, we assist our clients by vigorously prosecuting or defending their interests.

Services:

Employment Litigation

We represent both individuals and corporate clients in state and federal courts, governmental agencies, and arbitration. Our attorneys deal with every type of workplace litigation, including personnel complaints, class actions, merger and acquisition consequences, labor cost reductions, wrongful discharge suits based on any protected class (age, race, sex, religion, disability, military service, sexual orientation, whistleblowing and others), wage and overtime disputes, privacy claims, and trade secrets/noncompete litigation. We have also handled Section 1983 claims filed against public entities. We have handled cases in Columbus, throughout the state of Ohio and across the country.

Whether the matter involves a claim for discrimination or mistreatment, the misappropriation of trade secrets, or anything in between, the attorneys at Arnold & Clifford are well-versed in such claims.

Labor And Employment Counseling

We work closely with clients to build an understanding of their business and culture and then strategically address the challenges they may face. We are proactive in developing strategies to handle the complex issues related to managing employees and the workplace in order to help minimize disputes and costly litigation.

We provide labor and employment advice to employers regarding all aspects of the employment relationship from hiring to termination, issues arising under federal and state laws such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, anti- discrimination laws, conflicts of interest, non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, and protection of the client’s confidential, proprietary information.

Executive Compensation Cases And Clawback Provisions

Our firm also handles matters involving executive compensation. Many recent executive compensation cases involve “clawback” provisions in which an organization is fighting to claw back bonuses, stock options, and other compensation that its executives received. Based on recent trends (such as Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank law), we expect clawback provisions to be increasingly written into employment contracts, and for additional litigation to result. If you need the legal advice and representation of a skilled employment litigation attorney, we invite you to schedule a consultation at our firm.

Executives at the senior management level are sometimes at odds with their employers as to whether they are entitled to bonuses, severance pay and/or stock options. Should such a dispute develop, managers who are entitled through employment agreements or stock option plans should contact our law firm to discuss those employment compensation concerns.

General Counsel Support and Counseling

Both new and veteran general counsel need a range of supporting services from outside lawyers. A former general counsel is in the best position to understand and assist with the types of decisions and work demands confronting your company and to help your general counsel excel. Such services can range from providing confidential advice regarding ongoing issues or assisting with overflow matters that cannot be delegated internally. This includes sensitive projects involving board directors and senior executives, which require a depth of experience with demanding, high-level performers and complex organization dynamics.

Our team at Arnold & Clifford includes a successful former general counsel who can be your sounding board and offer unique assistance for the following GC needs any number of business and employment issues.

Board Director Representation

Directors on corporate and nonprofit boards need assistance related to the unique circumstances of their positions and responsibilities. For example, responsible corporate and nonprofit boards of directors require regular training to keep their directors current and attuned to trends, compliance requirements and values, and to demonstrate their commitment to excellence and good governance. Directors, committees, or sub-groups of directors also at times require individual representation provided by their company, their insurance carrier, or on their own initiative.

Our experienced team delivers unique board training featuring ethics and integrity, governance requirements, and best practices in the board’s enterprise area. Our trainers have decades of experience in designing and delivering creative, finely-honed sessions that are compelling and motivational. Our attorneys also have experience providing representation in routine or complex situations involving transactions, regulators such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, the stock exchanges, shareholders, customers, media, and others business and corporate areas.