Employment & Labor
Cotten Schmidt & Abbott, L.L.P.’s employment & labor practice and employment litigation experience is varied and involves representation of chemical and energy companies, transportation and industrial manufacturing companies, a variety of health-care industry clients, food manufacturing and vending companies, a sporting goods company, numerous local businesses and company executives from these same industries.
Our focus and goal for our clients begins with evaluation of and counseling on preventive employment measures and litigation avoidance and extends, as necessary, to efficient and economic handling of claims and lawsuits, through mediation, trial and appeal.
Our common sense approach to employment matters and litigation plus our business and trial experience means we stand ready to handle whatever conflict, crisis, or issue might arise and to do so with integrity, efficiency and economic sense.
In the employment & labor arena, a sampling of our experience includes:
EEO compliance and employee/management training
EEOC charges and position statements, site investigations, and mediations
Preparation and implementation of employment policies, practices and handbooks
ADA & ADEA compliance
FMLA administration and compliance
Employment, severance and waiver agreements
Reductions in force and WARN compliance
Negotiation and preparation of management contracts and benefits packages
Compelling, avoiding, and drafting arbitration agreements
Discrimination & harassment investigations, documentation & policy development
Preparation, defense and prosecution of confidentiality, trade secret and non-compete agreements, including defense and prosecution of injunctions and restraining orders
COBRA & HIPAA compliance
Evaluation of employment implications in relation to business mergers, acquisitions and divestitures
Wage and hour administration and claims and Fair Labor Standards Act compliance
Texas unemployment insurance compensation claims and appeals
Workers’ compensation insurance set-up, administration and coverage issues
Federal tax issues in the employment context
With respect to claims and lawsuits, attorneys with the firm have defended age, gender, disability, race, and workers’ compensation discrimination and harassment, hostile work environment, whistle-blower, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and breach of contract claims in both federal (including successful removal of actions from state to federal court) and state courts (including successful prosecution of motions to transfer venue) as well as in administrative tribunals. We have practiced in state and federal courts throughout Texas and the United States. As a result, we are acquainted with much of our state’s judiciary and court personnel. Relationships with local counsel throughout the state and country help us when necessary in remote areas of Texas, or other parts of the country.
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