Labor and Employment
MBT has a clear mission for its labor and employment practice: Assist employers in avoiding litigation whenever possible, but succeed in litigation when it becomes necessary.
With one of the five largest labor and employment law practices in Chicago we offer the full range of employment and labor law services to private and public sector employers as well as academic institutions and not-for-profit employers. Our size allows us the flexibility to handle complex, nation-wide matters and yet retain the cost-effective staffing of a mid-sized firm. Click here for a list of representative Labor and Employment clients.
Our employment and labor relations attorneys are thoroughly versed in the following areas:
Employment Litigation
We represent employers in all types of class and individual employment litigation across the country and regularly achieve defense jury verdicts and summary judgments. Where it makes business sense to do so, we have helped our clients achieve very favorable settlements. We have and are handling multiple nationwide class actions alleging unlawful discrimination, as well as some of the largest FLSA collective actions ever filed. We also regularly assist clients in responding to charges and complaints filed with a broad array of administrative agencies such as the EEOC and Department of Labor.
Labor/Management Relations
We represent employers in numerous industries in all aspects of labor-management relations including, union elections, union grievances, work stoppages, illegal strikes and strike violence. Our lawyers advise employers concerning employment laws affecting the acquisition, sale, closure or relocation of facilities, and on maintaining union free status. We have vast experience representing employers in collective bargaining negotiations and in proceedings before the NLRB and state labor boards. We have also tried hundreds of labor arbitration cases, including some of the largest interest arbitrations in the State of Illinois.
Employment Law Counseling and Training
We counsel employers on the full range of employee relations and workplace issues including, internal investigations, wage and hour issues, affirmative action (OFCCP) compliance occupational safety, alcohol and drug testing, employment agreements, covenants not to compete and trade secret controversies. We also work with our clients to establish policies and practices designed to avoid litigation, including human resources policy audits, diversity programs and internal testing procedures. Using interactive techniques, we provide training on topics such as sexual harassment, employment discrimination, disability accommodation, Sarbanes Oxley, union-management relations, disciplining and terminating employees and other employment issues. Our attorneys represent the Chicago area’s most prestigious universities and professional schools and serve as adjunct faculty members. This ongoing commitment to higher education enhances our ability to train our clients’ employees and managers on the most cutting edge issues in labor and employment law.
