Smith Duggan Cornell & Gollub maintains an extensive employment law practice that provides advice to private and public sector employers on the legal and regulatory standards that govern the modern workplace. It also defends those employers before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination ("MCAD"), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC"), arbitral tribunals and the state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate level. In addition to the litigation of complaints of unlawful discrimination and harassment in the workplace, Smith Duggan Cornell & Gollub also tries and mediates cases involving employment contract disputes, non-competition agreements and complaints filed before the Massachusetts Labor Relations Commission.
In addition to traditional legal services provided in the areas of labor and employment law, Smith Duggan offers training, investigative and consulting services to all types of employers.
Employment Law Training
Training managers and all workers on how to document, avoid, and handle difficult employment issues is critical to ensure compliance with the complex legal and regulatory framework that governs today's businesses. Training also is essential to any organization that desires to insulate or minimize its business from costly or protracted litigation. We design and conduct training sessions to increase supervisors' awareness of the legal issues and obligations that frequently arise in the ordinary course of any enterprise, such as the hiring process, complaints of discrimination or harassment, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, workers' compensation, and the termination process.
Confidential Investigations
There are times when sensitive, confidential workplace issues such as discrimination complaints, drug or alcohol abuse, and workplace violence must be examined and evaluated by professionals who are detached from the organization. Our attorneys are experienced in conducting thorough and discrete investigations sensitive to workplace needs. We provide comprehensive reports that give the decision-makers the information and advice they need to solve the problem.
Policy Consulting
On many occasions, employers need immediate advice on a variety of workplace issues such as revisions to employee manuals, the adoption or review of vacation or leave policies, application of maternity leave policies, and the drafting of anti-discrimination policies. Smith Duggan is prepared to provide prompt advice to avoid future litigation and to ensure compliance with the myriad of state and federal obligations, as well as individually adopted employment policies.
