Click on one of the links below to learn more about that particular practice area.
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Discrimination
The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“LAD”) prohibits an employer from discriminating against an employee based upon his or her membership in a “protected class”. A person falls into a “protected class” as a result of characteristics such as race, age, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or other traits. The attorneys in the Employment Practice Group at GRSLBG&B bring substantial experience in handling claims of discrimination under the LAD, and have successfully litigated cases involving persons in every protected category.
The attorneys in our Employment Practice Group are eminently qualified to litigate discrimination claims of any kind.
Harassment In The Workplace
Like cases of discrimination, instances of harassment in the workplace are governed by the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“LAD”). Claims concerning hostile work environment also fall into this area. The LAD prohibits an employer from maintaining a workplace where employees belonging to a “protected class” are harassed based upon his/her membership in that protected class. A person may belong to a “protected class” based upon personal characteristics such as his/her race, age, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or other traits. An employee may be the subject of harassment, or a hostile work environment, if his/her terms and conditions of employment have been altered in an adverse manner, that change has occurred as a result of the person’s membership in a protected class, and a reasonable person in the same position would consider the working conditions to have become altered and hostile.
The attorneys in the Employment Practice Group at GRSLBG&B have a great deal of experience in handling all types of harassment and hostile work environment claims, in all types of settings, for all types of clients.
Whistleblower Claims
Cases commonly known as “whistleblower” claims are governed by the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act (“CEPA”). CEPA protects an employee from retaliation or reprisal for complaining about an employer’s practice or policy that the employee reasonably believes to be illegal, or in violation of a public policy. Employees who complain about illegal activities, or threaten to report those activities to the proper authorities, are protected under the law from being fired.
The attorneys in the Employment Practice Group at GRSLBG&B have successfully litigated numerous whistleblower cases under CEPA through trial and appeal, and regularly counsel clients in these types of matters.
Family Leave
There are both federal and state laws that provide employees of certain companies with the right to take family leave for their own serious medical condition, that of a close family member, or in other similar circumstances. Family leave is a relatively new development in the law and courts are constantly refining the rights and obligations of both employers and employees in this area. The Employment Practice Group at GRSLBG&B is at the forefront in counseling clients in this rapidly changing practice area. We regularly handle family leave disputes for all types of clients.
Employment & Severance Agreements
The attorneys in the Employment Practice Group at GRSLBG&B have significant experience advising clients concerning employment-related agreements, including:
- Employment Contract Review
- Severance Agreement Review
- Non-compete Agreements
- Litigation Of Contract Disputes
Our attorneys frequently deal with all aspects of contracts as they relate to employment, from drafting to enforcement.
Employees With Disabilities
The attorneys in our Employment Practice Group recognize the unique issues concerning employees who have disabilities, from required accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, to family leave, to discrimination claims. Our attorneys are well-experienced in handling cases arising in this area, and frequently advise clients regarding these issues.
Employer Insurance Coverage
The constantly evolving area of employment law requires employers to diligently and regularly assess their protection against employment-related claims. Insurance coverage to defend against such claims is frequently available through a variety of insurance vehicles, including:
- Employment Practices Liability Insurance
- Directors & Officers Insurance
- Errors & Omissions Insurance
- Workers Compensation Insurance
The attorneys in the Employment Practice Group and the Insurance Coverage Group at GRSLB&G work together in the area of insurance coverage as it relates to employment claims, and our attorneys have a great deal of experience with insurance coverage litigation that arises in this context.
