Employment Law

Employers and employees face a very real challenge navigating all of the different state and federal laws regulating the employment relationship. And all-too-often people don’t know what laws exist or which ones apply to them. The employment landscape is littered with trip wires waiting to be triggered that can result in all kinds of financial penalties and liabilities – discrimination, wage and hour, whistleblower protections, and even unfair competition by former employees, just to name a few. Let me help you learn where the trip wires are and how to reduce the risk of tripping one.

Over my 37+ years, I’ve helped business owners and, not infrequently, employees, address issues covering the vast range of workplace issues that can occur. You name it, and I’ve probably seen it. This broad and deep experience results in knowledgeable and effective navigating such as:

  • Providing sound, practical help in “real time” as events play out. For example, concerned about maybe terminating an employee? Give me a call to discuss it ahead of time. Let’s head off problems before they become problems.
  • Drafting documents to minimize risk. Certain policies and procedures for addressing workplace issues can reduce the risk of legal exposure and even provide a sound defense if ever in a lawsuit. Knowing the law and what you can and can’t do maximizes my utility in drafting those policies and procedures. The same is true for drafting employment agreements and non-compete agreements.
  • Defending employers in all kinds of employment cases throughout the South, across the country, and before various governmental agencies like the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, and the National Labor Relations Board.

I have a saying: “if you’ve got employees, you’ve got problems … you just don’t know it yet.” I have a pretty good idea where they lurk and can help develop a plan to avoid the problems or be ready to address them if they arise.

INTERESTED IN A BRIEF, MONTHLY EMAIL UPDATE ON EMPLOYMENT LAW DEVELOPMENTS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS?  Just email me at [email protected], and begin receiving my Legal Update. It's FREE!
Business Law

Business involves relationships – relationships with employees, vendors/suppliers, customers/clients, landlords/tenants, and, where there is more than one owner of the business, relationships with the other owners. I help clients with all of these relationships.  For example, I help clients negotiate, prepare, and put in place foundational documents such as:

▪Contracts, leases, indemnity agreements and non-disclosure agreements;

▪Partnership agreements, shareholder agreements for corporations, and operating agreements for LLCs;

▪Corporate bylaw and resolutions for conducting internal business;

▪Asset purchase agreements, shareholder purchase agreements, and membership interest purchase agreement for when a business wants to sell/buy interests in it or sell/buy and entire business operation.

The perspective is always the same: what does the client want or need? I help clients by using my “gray hair of experience” to identify where potential trouble may lurk so it can be addressed and minimize the risk of any potential trouble.

Commercial Litigation

I have filed and defended lawsuits my whole career. Whether it be a lawsuit over a business venture gone bad, between or among business owners, between a vendor or supplier, or to collect on debts not paid, my experience in assessing and evaluating claims results in an efficient – and less costly – evaluation and pursuit of a matter.

If you've got questions or need help, I'm here. Feel free to contact me at [email protected] or (770) 680-4391.