Pennsylvania Labor Lawyer
Labor and Employment Attorneys Representing Employers in Pennsylvania
Employer Litigation Team Lead
Partner & Yale Graduate
Oberheiden P.C. is a federal compliance and defense law firm that represents employers in Pennsylvania in all labor and employment law matters. Our attorneys represent employers in employee rights litigation and federal law enforcement matters involving administrative agencies—including both investigations and litigation.
Types of Labor and Employment Cases We Handle
We handle all types of employment and labor disputes across Pennsylvania. Our experienced attorneys represent clients ranging from small businesses and nonprofit organizations to large national and international corporations. We handle matters involving individual employees and independent contractors, labor unions, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and other relevant authorities.
Within our employer defense practice, we provide legal representation for matters including (but not limited to):
Employee Rights Litigation
Our attorneys represent employers that are facing employee rights litigation in Pennsylvania. We handle all types of labor and employment matters under federal and state laws. We handle alternative dispute resolution (ADR) proceedings involving employment and labor law disputes as well. Representative types of litigation and ADR we handle in Pennsylvania include:
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
We defend employers in workplace discrimination cases under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This includes cases involving allegations of disparate treatment as well as cases involving denials of employees’ requests for reasonable accommodations.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)
We also defend employers in workplace discrimination cases under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). The ADEA requires fair treatment of employees age 40 and older, including fair treatment in job assignments, compensation, promotions, and all other aspects of employment.
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
Employers that offer pensions, 401(k)s, and other benefit plans have extensive obligations under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). We defend employers against lawsuits under ERISA in state and federal courts throughout Pennsylvania.
Equal Pay Act (EPA)
The Equal Pay Act (EPA) requires employers to provide equal pay to men and women for substantially equal work. It is one of various laws that prohibit sex-based discrimination in employment, and it is a common source of employment lawsuits in Pennsylvania.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a common source of employment lawsuits in Pennsylvania as well. The FMLA entitles covered employees to job-protected leave in a broad range of circumstances, and employees who lose their jobs while on FMLA leave will have grounds to file wrongful termination claims in many (but not all) cases.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII)
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) prohibits many forms of discrimination in the workplace. This includes discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. Title VII also prohibits workplace harassment as a form of sex-based discrimination.
Wage and Hour Violations Under State and Federal Law
We handle disputes involving employees’ rights under wage and hour regulations on behalf of employers in Pennsylvania. This includes disputes involving minimum wage, unpaid wages, and overtime. These are often complex and highly fact-specific disputes, and this makes experienced legal representation essential.
Other Workplace Disputes Between Employers and Employees
Along with the types of cases listed above, our labor lawyers handle many other types of workplace disputes between employers and employees as well. For example, we also provide litigation services for disputes in Pennsylvania involving:
- Contract negotiations with labor organizations
- Misappropriation of trade secrets and other intellectual property
- Non-compete agreements
- Severance agreements
- Workers’ compensation and personal injury claims
If your company is facing any type of employment-related dispute in Pennsylvania, we strongly encourage you to get in touch. We are more than happy to discuss how we can help with all types of workplace issues, and we can provide examples of favorable outcomes we have achieved for our clients.
DOL, DOJ, and PHRC Enforcement Matters
Our Pennsylvania labor and employment law attorneys also represent employers in DOL and DOJ enforcement matters. This includes matters that are both civil and criminal in nature. These federal authorities pursue enforcement actions against employers in various circumstances, including those involving:
- Civil rights violations
- ERISA violations
- WARN Act violations
- Wage, hour, and overtime violations
- Other federal employment and labor-related violations
Our attorneys are able to assist with employment and labor law matters involving the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) as well. The PHRC enforces employees’ rights at the state level, and it provides a venue for employees to pursue discrimination claims without going to court.
Due to the substantial risks involved in these cases, timely advice and representation are essential. Our attorneys are available to provide legal advice to employers facing DOL and DOJ scrutiny immediately, and we can provide legal representation on an emergency basis when necessary. Federal defense is one of our firm’s core practice areas, and our senior attorneys have extensive experience helping employers (and executives and other individuals) avoid unnecessary consequences in a broad range of high-stakes federal law enforcement matters.
Employment Law Counseling
We provide employment law counseling services as well. If your company needs legal support for maintaining employment and labor law compliance, our attorneys can assist with developing, implementing, and managing custom-tailored compliance policies and procedures. We tailor our counseling services to our clients’ specific legal needs, ensuring that our clients have the tools and insights they need to effectively manage their employment-related risk going forward.
How a Pennsylvania Labor Lawyer at Oberheiden P.C. Can Help
Whether your company is facing an employee lawsuit, civil or criminal enforcement, or the need to overhaul its employment and labor law compliance program, there are several ways our labor lawyers can help. Here is what you can expect when you choose Oberheiden P.C.:
- A Comprehensive and Custom-Tailored Approach – We take a comprehensive and custom-tailored approach to all labor and employment matters we handle. We will provide the advice and representation your company needs—no more and no less.
- A Focus on Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness – We prioritize efficiency and cost-effectiveness in all aspects of our legal representation. Our goal is to help ensure that your company’s labor and employment law needs are as non-disruptive as possible.
- Advice and Representation Backed By Extensive Experience – Our team consists entirely of lawyers who have senior-level experience. For many of our lawyers, this includes experience investigating and prosecuting employment rights cases at the DOJ.
- Direct Communication with Our Senior Lawyers – You can expect to communicate directly with our senior lawyers throughout your company’s engagement. We prioritize working with our clients and ensuring that their key stakeholders are making informed and confident decisions.
- Proactive Solutions Focused on Risk Mitigation – As part of our effort to prioritize efficiency, we target proactive solutions focused on risk mitigation whenever possible. If we can achieve a favorable resolution while protecting your company against facing litigation or ADR, we will.
FAQs: What Employers in Pennsylvania Need to Know About Labor & Employment Law
Are All Companies in Pennsylvania Subject to Title VII and Other Federal Employment Discrimination Laws?
No, Title VII and most (but not all) federal employment discrimination laws only apply to employers with a certain minimum number of employees. However, state laws may apply as well and often have lower thresholds. For example, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) applies to employers in the Commonwealth with just four employees.
What Are the Risks of Violating Federal Employment Regulations?
Employers that violate Title VII and other federal employment laws and regulations can face substantial liability in employee lawsuits and federal enforcement litigation. Employees may seek compensation for lost earnings and other economic and non-economic damages, while federal authorities can impose fines and other penalties.
What Should I Do if an Employee Has Filed a Complaint with the EEOC or PHRC?
If an employee has filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC), employers should engage experienced defense counsel promptly. While these are administrative proceedings rather than judicial proceedings, they can still present substantial risks for employers of all sizes.
When Should I Engage an Employment Lawyer to Represent My Company?
We recommend engaging an employment lawyer as soon as concerns arise regarding a potential complaint, lawsuit, or investigation. In each of these scenarios, acting promptly can be critical for mitigating legal and financial risks.
Yes, in addition to employment and labor law matters, Oberheiden P.C. represents companies in other legal matters as well. This includes commercial disputes arising out of business transactions as well as all types of federal investigations and enforcement litigation.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Pennsylvania Employment Law Attorney at Oberheiden P.C.
If you would like to speak with one of our Pennsylvania labor and employment law attorneys about your company’s needs, we invite you to get in touch. To schedule a free consultation as soon as possible, call 888-680-1745 or tell us how we can get in touch online now.
