Jeanne Valentine recently returned to the Hudson Valley from NYC, where she handled large denomination cases for some very powerful companies and executives.  She felt it was time to share with the Hudson Valley the benefits of an expertise gained on Wall Street representing several of the largest players in the financial and insurance industries.

                                 The Valentine Law Office
               presents seminars and offers advice and counselling
                  for employers concerning the following topics:
                (coming soon: schedule for seminar at the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce)

                                - compliance with existing laws 
                                - proactive approach to avoid lawsuits
                                - what to do when you are sued
                                - full litigation support and representation

Existing Laws
- are complicated
- require expert counselling
- favor plaintiffs

Why So Complicated?
- largely subjective issues
    -- wrongful termination
    -- discrimination
    -- sexual harassment
- covers a huge amount of material
- you're in NY

Why Do You Need An Expert?
- employment-related lawsuits are VERY expensive
  -- over 80,000 harassment charges in 2007
  -- jumped 19% to over 95,400 harassment charges in 2008
  -- over $375 million awarded in damages in 2008
- numbers expected to increase
- no place for amateurs

Courts Favor Plaintiffs
- be prepared!
- be proactive!
- be protected!
  -- obtain expert counsel
  -- consider Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)

What Is Discrimination?
- race, sex, religion, national origin, physical disability, age...
- protected groups
- equal pay for equal work
- covers employers, labor organizations, employment agencies, etc.

The Regulations
- Fourteenth Amendment: Due Process and Equal Protection
- Fair Labor Standards Act: The Equal Pay Act
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
- Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Solid Human Resources Practices
- recruitment
- employment application
- interviewing
- employment offers

Employee Handbook Policies
- policy enforcement
- employment-at-will
- internal job postings
- employee orientation
- conduct and performance reviews
- sexual harassment
- equal opportunity
- disabled employees and accommodations
- substance abuse
- bullying
- retaliation
- whistleblowing
- pregnancy
- internet use/employee privacy
- employee discipline
- grievances
- termination
- ADR

Reductions In Force
- alternative measures
- phrases to avoid
- protected class termination
- advanced notice for plant closings (WARN Act)

Costs for Employment Practices Claims
- Strongly consider EPL Insurance
- punitive damages are available
- bad for employee morale, turnover, recruitment
- public scrutiny and damage to reputation

For Management, Officers, Directors and Executives:
- employment contracts
- indemnification agreements
- restrictive covenants and non-competes
- severance
- outplacement services
- shareholder and stock option agreements
- general release provisions
- wrongful termination and "for cause" termination issues
- cease and desist communications
- protection, analysis and production of discovery material
- full litigation support and representation

                  CONTACT US TODAY TO DISCUSS THESE ISSUES IN MORE DETAIL.

The Valentine Law Office PLLC
5 Fairlawn Drive, Suite 102
Washingtonville, NY 10992
(845) 497-5010 tel.
(845) 497-5020 fax
jvalentine@valentinelawoffice.com