Industries & Practices
Employment & Labor
We help employers of all sizes and industries in the ever-changing area of employment law.
Our team of experienced employment and labor attorneys understands that every organization’s culture, operations and profitability depend on human resources best practices. From compliance audits to performance management, non-compete enforcement, leave and accommodation management, employment litigation and labor arbitrations, we routinely assist clients in a wide range of labor and employment matters. By educating the employers with which we work, anticipating complications and assisting with preventative measures, we help employers maintain a flexible and compliant employment operation to avoid lawsuits and the costly civil penalties that come from noncompliance.
Types of clients we represent:
- Banks and financial institutions
- Colleges and universities
- Employee benefit plans
- Hospitals, health systems and health care providers
- Insurance companies
- Manufacturers
- Nonprofit organizations and trade associations
- Retail and wholesale businesses
- The food service industry
- School districts
- Municipalities and other government entities
- Transportation and logistics
- Utilities
- Information technology service providers
- Professional services firms
Workplace harassment and bullying investigation
Conducted an investigation into a female employee's allegation of sexual harassment and bullying by male employees in the workplace.
MoreSixth Circuit Court of Appeals oral argument
Successfully argued an age discrimination and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) retaliation case before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of a large manufacturing client.
MoreExecutive-level discrimination investigation
Served as an external investigator for a large organization in response to allegations of race and gender discrimination reported against a member of the organization's senior leadership team. ...
MoreCOVID-19 management counseling
Helped clients understand their legal obligations under new labor and employment laws passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Drafted work-from-home, leave, and reopening policies; advised on ...
MoreWorkers’ compensation settlement defense
Represented a medical center in defending a workers’ compensation settlement that was challenged by an employee, who, despite agreeing to the settlement, argued that the settlement amount was...
MoreTestimony before the Ohio Senate
Testified before the Ohio Senate on behalf of the National Federation of Independent Businesses regarding House Bill 308, which impacts workers’ compensation benefits for first responders dia...
MoreNon-compete agreement litigation
Represented a national mortgage loan company in two lawsuits in which the client hired two mortgage loan officers from a competitor, and the competitor sought to enforce the loan officers’ no...
MoreDiscrimination and retaliation defense
Defended an international manufacturing company against claims of race, disability and sex-based discrimination and retaliation by a former employee. The case was ultimately dismissed by the Equal ...
MoreDisability discrimination and harassment defense
Defended a health care system against claims of disability discrimination and harassment and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) interference lodged by a 10-year employee against two members of the...
MoreResolution of civil rights charges against city an...
Represented a municipality and police officers sued for civil rights violations nearly two years after an allegedly unconstitutional traffic stop. The federal lawsuit and the disciplinary issues as...
MoreAreas of Focus
Employee Benefits & Pension Plans
Representing more than 100 public and private qualified plans, we advise employers who sponsor tax-qualified pension and retirement plans. Our attorneys are involved with the design, qualification and administration of numerous tax-qualified plans with special skill in large, complex pension arrangements.
MoreWorkers’ Compensation & Safety (OSHA)
We represent both state-funded and self-insured employers before Ohio's workers' compensation system and before Ohio's courts, helping employers control these significant claim costs. Additionally, we counsel employers in more complex matters such as Violations of Specific Safety Requirements (VSSR), premium impacts, OSHA compliance, BWC audits and start-up/wind-down procedures.
MoreManagement & Employee Training
Our attorneys regularly provide tailored training to clients on a variety of legal employment issues. We offer management-level training for corporate leadership, including boards of directors, managers, supervisors and team leads and all-hands training for entire staffs. In addition to customizable training modules, we assist clients in conducting internal self-audits of their HR practices, so that they can identify and prioritize goals for improving personnel processes.
MoreEmployment Counseling
One of our most important roles is to be a counselor and advisor to clients. Clients trust our non-judgmental opinions and our ability to provide them with sound advice about how to handle often delicate matters. To avoid or limit exposure to employment-related lawsuits, our attorneys regularly and proactively counsel management and educate supervisors. This counseling is valuable in avoiding costly litigation and workplace morale issues.
Employment Litigation
When litigation is inevitable, our attorneys vigorously defend employers in all phases of employment claims. Specific issues include discrimination and harassment, non-competes and others, such as OSHA, workers’ compensation and contractual terminations. Our team advises clients through agency investigations, perceived regulation violations, and other types of claims in state and federal law employment claims brought before administrative agencies or in courts.
MoreExecutive Compensation
We routinely work with clients to design and implement executive compensation programs and to help boards and committees understand their responsibilities under state corporation law, federal tax laws and federal securities laws.
Labor Relations & Collective Bargaining
Our employment attorneys understand and regularly provide traditional labor services to management. We work closely with businesses to structure policies and practices designed to maintain a union-free environment.
Workplace Investigations
Our experienced attorneys regularly conduct investigations involving highly sensitive complaints of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, ethics violations, and other instances of alleged misconduct and disciplinary matters. Investigations have included conduct of board members, public officials, officers, managers and supervisors, and employees. Clients rely on our attorneys to provide thorough and objective fact-finding for any workplace complaint or allegation.
People
Laura G. Anthony
Partner & Education Law Chair
Brad E. Bennett
Of Counsel
Vincent D. Boddy
Associate
Diana S. Brown
Partner
Erin E. Butcher
Of Counsel
Melissa M. Carleton
Partner & Higher Education Chair
Justin D. Cook
Partner and Tax Practice Group Chair
Janet K. Cooper
Of Counsel
William R. Creedon
Of Counsel
Kate Vivian Davis
Senior Attorney
Nicole M. Donovsky
Partner
Jessica L. Galanos
Of Counsel
Dane A. Gaschen
Partner
Olivia G. Holbrook
Staff Attorney
Robert T. Kent
Of Counsel
Marie-Joëlle C. Khouzam
Partner
Jeff Knight
Of Counsel
David J. Lampe
Partner
Beverly A. Meyer
Partner & Political Subdivisions Chair
Susan L. Oppenheimer
Senior Attorney
Karen "Katy" W. Osborn
Of Counsel
Benjamin J. Reeb
Staff Attorney
Jason R. Stuckey
Partner