Emerging Companies and Startups

COMPLIANCE

We advise startups on all types of day-to-day employment matters, such as hiring, internal complaints, disability accommodations and terminations. With our big law experience, we provide the experience and expertise of a large firm, with more personalized service, efficiency and flexibility.

WORKPLACE CULTURE

Developing a strong culture of respect, inclusion and speaking up is critical for emerging companies. We have helped dozens of startups, technology and venture-backed companies implement policies, training and management styles that reflect company-specific values and promote appropriate workplace behaviors.

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Counseling and Training

Employment Counseling

We help companies minimize the risk of litigation with pragmatic employment advice, policies and training.

We advise on the full lifecycle of employment, from recruiting and on-boarding through terminations and layoffs. We update employee handbooks, policies and agreements for compliance with applicable laws and best practices.

Harassment Training

New York and other states now require employers to conduct anti-sexual harassment training. We provide engaging, informative and effective training programs for executives, managers and individual contributors that fulfill these requirements.

We also conduct training sessions on respect in the workplace, leadership and management skills, diversity, inclusion and other employment topics.

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Disputes and Investigations

EMPLOYMENT DISPUTES and Litigation

We are skilled litigators who have represented companies in hundreds of employment disputes, including claims of:

Discrimination
Harassment
Equal Pay
Retaliation
Whistleblowers
Breach of Contract
Wrongful Termination
Wage and Hour

In any dispute, our strategy focuses on our client’s specific goals, whether that is an early resolution or taking a case to trial. We have obtained early, favorable settlements for dozens of clients. If settlement is not desired or not possible, we have the skills and experience to litigate your case though trial. We have extensive experience in state and federal court, private arbitration and before FINRA and government agencies.

WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS

How companies respond when employees report harassment, retaliation, whistleblowing and other misconduct is critical. A prompt, effective and neutral investigation of an employee complaint can stop bad behavior, improve company culture and assist in the defense of a lawsuit.

Often, employee complaints are too sensitive or complex to be handled internally. We conduct independent investigations for clients in high-risk situations, such as claims of sexual harassment, abusive or illegal behavior, or misconduct by high-level executives. We also investigate complaints for companies where an internal investigation could appear biased or where a potential conflict of interest exists.

For clients conducting their own internal investigations, we provide privileged legal advice throughout the investigative process. We also help companies develop complaint triage protocols to promote consistency across investigations and to ensure the appropriate stakeholders stay informed.

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Competition and Trade Secrets

We have extensive experience representing companies and individuals in non-compete, non-solicit, non-disclosure and and misappropriation of trade secrets claims.

HOW WE HELP

Our services include:

Litigating and resolving disputes over alleged restrictive covenant violations and misappropriation of trade secrets
Providing highly-responsive advice to companies facing a threatened or actual breach of a restrictive covenant agreement or assessing the risks in hiring employees with prior restrictions
Developing on-boarding and departure protocols to minimize risks of unauthorized disclosure or use of confidential information