Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP is a firm with a real labor practice - not simply litigators who attempt work cases. On a relative basis for a firm our size, we have among the biggest work and labor groups in California. Each of our legal representatives works carefully and personally with company customers to establish proactive compliance and dispute resolution methods. Our company believe this one-on-one counseling is much more efficient than an unwieldy team. We work with customers to help them prevent office problems, however where is unavoidable, we have dealt with literally hundreds of jury trials, administrative trials and appeals before courts and administrative agencies nationwide.

JMBM is recognized as a Go-To Law Firm® & reg; for the leading 500 business in the United States in the locations of labor litigation and labor & work law, as determined by American Lawyer Media's (ALM) annual survey of internal counsel at FORTUNE 500® & reg; business. Because labor and work problems frequently involve high stakes and intense time pressure, our legal representatives are devoted to offering companies the most immediate service possible. We react promptly and without stop working, with uncomplicated suggestions from a knowledgeable attorney who will not pass your problem off to somebody else. Issues like sexual harassment and workplace violence demand instant attention- and we supply it.

Employers in the middle of a conflict over an arranging drive or an unreasonable labor practice problem count on our aggressive and prompt action. Accountability and accessibility are our watchwords, and you get direct access to the individual who can resolve your problem or address your question.

Among the strengths of our labor and employment group is the diversity of the companies we represent. Public and personal companies in company sectors varying from basic manufacturing to technology, garments to aerospace and from health care to financial services all rely on JMBM labor attorneys, regardless of the problem. Many customers have been with us 10 to 20 years-in numerous cases working with the exact same experienced lawyer who thoroughly understands their service.

Our industry-specific avoidance and preparedness strategies can prevent or minimize costly claims. We work closely with senior executives and in-house counsel to craft customized, reliable employment policies - total with a focus on appropriately training supervisors and HR personnel on legal rights and commitments. Our services work to guarantee compliance with national and state labor laws, lessen conflicts with workers, and maximize strategic advantage if litigation is necessary. We worry innovative preparation and aggressive advocacy for every customer.

There are service sectors where we have unique ability in managing employment matters. Many law practice rely on us for counsel on problems including staff and attorneys, and we often recommend broker-dealers on non-compete and disciplinary controversies. Our attorneys likewise effectively represent many health care and hospitality market clients in cumulative bargaining and other labor and work issues.

Any protected class of employees-by age, race, gender, impairment, religion-could bring suit versus an employer under the discrimination statues. We have successfully prosecuted and fixed all kinds of discrimination matters brought under such employment laws as the:

- Americans with Disabilities Act
- Family Medical Leave Act
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act
- Fair Labor Standards Act
- Family and Medical Leave Act
The very best way to manage any claim is to avoid it from being submitted, and we give clients effective guidance right from the start to deal with problems properly and keep them from ending up being claims. If litigation is necessary, our attorneys investigate thoroughly and prepare a strong position that can negate plaintiff claims.

We provide strong defense in state and federal court, in administrative actions before the Federal Equal Job Opportunity Commission and before all the California state firms - the Department of Labor Standards Enforcement, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and the Employment Development Department.

Often overlapping with discrimination problems are claims for wrongful termination, retaliatory treatment and whistle blowing. We comprehend the requirement in such cases to demonstrate that a company's actions were correct, and regardless of the prestige that is in some cases involved, we have had substantial success at revealing that employer conduct was genuine and dealt with appropriately.

Whether your service presently has 3rd party representation or seeks to preserve a work environment without such participation, our extremely reliable labor relations counsel can be important to assisting preserve a competitive work environment while reducing conflicts and maximizing management versatility. Employers that deal with union arranging drives count on our help to:

- Maintain a favorable working environment with open communication with all workers
- Comply with NLRB election laws
- Counter aggressive unionizing efforts without creating a "union-busting" controversy
In unionized workplaces, our firm is an extremely knowledgeable and responsive partner that works along with company personnels and labor relations personnel to:

- Participate in cumulative bargaining - consisting of multi-union, multi-location talks
- Respond to grievance and arbitration actions
- Manage reductions in force, drug testing, discipline procedures and strikes
- Provide representation in NLRB procedures
Responsiveness, determination and focus are what set our labor relations counsel apart from that of other law practice. We use immediate response, round-the-clock schedule in crisis situations and aggressive defense of all companies' rights.

We protect numerous companies against class action claims in which employees sue for back overtime pay-and countless dollars in damages-claiming that under business policies the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime pay exemption no longer applies to them.

JMBM labor legal representatives can help companies prevent classification issues that result in suits by:

- Auditing existing wage policy and pay practices
- Reviewing the language of composed work policies to make certain they comply with FLSA requirements for job exempt and non-exempt staff members
- Making sure all exempt employee task descriptions involve management and guidance
If you as a company are confronted with a wage and hour claim, whether under federal law or California wage and hour statutes, we install an energetic and efficient defense. Your JMBM attorney will seek to deny class certification and work to protect an efficient and effective settlement that dismisses unfounded claims and safeguards your interests.

Disputes over non-compete contracts involving trade secrets often pit companies against each other - particularly in California, where the state's Unfair Competition Law (Section 17200) makes it specifically difficult to enforce non-compete terms. We have actually dealt with lawsuits representing both workers' former and current companies, and are skilled at protecting and resisting TROs and permanent injunctions to secure company interests in either type of case.