Meira Ferziger

Experience: Representative Matters: Served fundamental role in advising clients regarding employment matters related to M&A transactions, including advising of: Optibus regarding company's acquisition of Trillium; NYSE-listed SimilarWeb regarding company's acquisition of Embee Mobile; OwnBackup regarding company's acquisition of RevCult; Care regarding company's acquisition by Procurement Partners; NASDAQ-listed Tech Giant Digital Turbine regarding company's acquisition of Fyber N.V.; Guided clients with respect to impact of COVID-19 pandemic on work force, including in connection with furlough and layoff of employees, return to office parameters, and mandatory vaccination policies.; Advised start-up, small, medium, and large companies with respect to the structuring of key executive employment agreements, sales representative contracts, bonus incentive plans, relocation packages, and employee benefit programs for U.S.- based employees and foreign employees relocating to the United States.; Counseled small, medium, and large companies as to employment issues related to mergers, acquisitions, and IPOs, including but not limited to evaluation of seller liabilities and buyer exposure; prepared and negotiated employment and retention agreements for key employees pursuant to such transactions.; Advised clients with employees located in multiple jurisdictions as to proper development and implementation of employment policies under applicable local, state, and federal law; prepare policies and employee handbooks for companies with multi-jurisdictional obligations.; In partnership with litigation colleagues: managed, advised clients and defended employee discrimination, breach of contract, and wage and hour claims.; Counseled clients as to furlough process, unemployment compensation eligibility, triggering of COBRA and other benefits pursuant to local, state and federal laws.; Guided corporate clients through process of employee layoffs and terminations, including drafting of separation letters, severance agreements, waivers and releases, and advising clients as to avoidance of discrimination, unjust dismissal, and breach of contract claims.; Formulated legally enforceable non-competition, non-disclosure, and non-solicitation restrictions agreements protecting client intellectual property rights developed in non-US.; Defended multiple companies in connection with Department of Labor audit of independent contractor (as opposed to employee) worker classification.; Conducted harassment, discrimination and sensitivity training for client employees.; Conducted audits of companies regarding compliance with wage and hour laws, accommodation and leave of absence requirements, EEO initiatives, recruiting and hiring practices, termination procedures, and updating of company policies and employee handbook.; In-House Experience: Assistant General Counsel, Employment Division, City University of New York, 2000 ;