Labor & Employment Litigation

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With a wide geographic reach across the United States and Canada, Dickinson Wright’s Labor and Employment practice represents public and private employers in state and federal courts. We litigate in all federal jurisdictions and regularly represent clients on a full-range of employment and labor law issues, litigating disputes when and wherever necessary.

We believe that effective legal advocacy requires not only comprehensive knowledge of the law, but also a thorough understanding of our clients’ industries and businesses. By recognizing our clients’ ultimate goals, we defend individual cases and offer advice with an eye on the bigger picture. Our team is proud of the standing we maintain with judges and the plaintiffs’ bar, and we are confident that our reputation for excellence and ethical practice directly benefits our clients, whether in the courtroom or during negotiations.

Understanding that litigation is costly and time consuming and may damage an organization’s reputation, we proactively address issues and assist our clients with establishing effective risk-avoidance strategies to avoid a trial. But, when action is necessary, our clients benefit from our creative and efficient approach to single and multiple plaintiff lawsuits.

Recognitions

Our labor and employment litigators have been recognized by The Legal 500 United States, Chambers USA®, Best Lawyers in America® and Super Lawyers®.

Our Services

State and Federal Litigation: We regularly handle claims and defend clients in courts at all levels and before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), state civil rights divisions, and other state and federal agencies. Among the types of claims we have litigated are:

  • Administrative Claims 
  • Non-compete and Trade Secret Claims
  •  Alternative Dispute Resolution
  •  Retaliation and Whistleblower Claims 
  •  Sexual or Racial Harassment
  •  Breach of Contract Claims
  •  Temporary and Preliminary Injunctions
  •  Defamation Claims
  •  Title VII Discrimination and Equivalent State Statutory Claims
  •  Wage and Hour Claims

Class Actions: In the past few years, we have successfully defended numerous discrimination class actions. In almost every instance, we stopped the case before it started by defeating class certification. Our lawyers defend class actions involving civil rights, employment law, and labor law claims.

Wage and Hour Claims: We help our clients stay ahead of the curve on this constantly evolving area of labor and employment law. Frequently, we resolve issues long before they reach the courtroom. Our wage and hour areas of proficiency include:

  •  Arbitration Agreements
  • Employee Classification 
  •  Bonus Plans
  •  Payroll
  •  Compliance Audits
  •  Time and Attendance

Non-compete and Non-disclosure Agreements: A business can be unprepared – and ultimately devastated – by confidential information falling into the wrong hands. When the unexpected happens, we provide immediate and aggressive defense to secure a business’s future. We also help draft clear and concise non-compete and disclosure agreements, protecting business rights.

Trade Secrets: Regardless of size or industry, a company’s trade secrets are some of its most valuable assets. Since prevention is most often preferred over litigation, our lawyers take preemptive measures to ensure a companies’ trade secrets remain confidential. We counsel organizations on how to protect their trade secrets from misappropriation and help them draft policies and agreements to prepare for the arrival of new employees and the departure of current employees. When a company is facing the unlawful theft of trade secrets, our litigators provide support and build a strong case under the provisions of the Defense of Trade Secrets Act Litigation (DTSA) and corollary state laws.

Representative Case Matters 

Successfully represented Fortune 500 companies in federal court, saving them millions in potential damages and defense costs. 

Prevailed in multiple arbitrations as lead counsel for national automotive manufacturers. 

Achieved favorable results for one of the nation’s largest medical staffing companies in FLSA class/collective action in federal court. 

Represented companies in bargaining/negotiating Collective Bargaining Agreements and in litigation before the NLRB and in court. 

Lead counsel for major automobile manufacturer in a federal court trial that resulted in a defense verdict for the manufacturer. 

Represented clients in single and multi-plaintiff actions alleging violations of federal and state civil rights laws, at both the trial court and appellate level. 

Successful defense of multiple attempted class actions, with each resulting in denial of class certification. 

Trial counsel for numerous companies on employment matters, including FLSA, FMLA and OSHA. 

Successfully handled employment and wage hour class action, and individual employment cases in virtually every industry sector including Automotive, Construction, Health Care, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Restaurant, Retail, and Service sectors.
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