DRM’s Labor and Employment Law Group represents management in all aspects of the employment relationship.

From our offices in Vermont and New Hampshire, we are one of the largest labor and employment groups in Northern New England, representing employers exclusively. Our clients in the manufacturing, construction, utilities, health care, retail, and other industries know that there will be a knowledgeable and responsive lawyer available to help them when they seek advice.

DRM serves large and small companies from all industries, with both unionized and union-free workplaces, as well as sole proprietors and professionals.

We employ the right resources to solve both simple and complex problems. Our areas of emphasis include:

Counseling and Advice – On a daily basis, we provide employers with practical advice on resolving employee relations issues. We integrate legal compliance with good human resources practices to help our clients find effective, customized solutions. We routinely help employers to

• identify and comply with the many laws that affect the employment relationship,
• address work performance problems or attendance issues,
• respond to requests for accommodations and leaves of absence,
• deal with employee discipline and discharge issues, and
• develop effective employment policies and procedures.

We also review employee handbooks, audit wage-hour practices, prepare affirmative action plans, develop strategies to deal with reductions-in-force or other corporate restructurings, and address the myriad of other issues that arise in the work place.

Employment Litigation – We defend employers against lawsuits, administrative charges, and claims. When appropriate, we proactively pursue alternative dispute resolution. Our attorneys offer a broad range of litigation experience in all types of employment claims including:

• discrimination
• harassment,
• disability accommodation,
• wage payment and overtime,
• retaliation,
• whistleblower,
• express and implied contracts, and
• all other employment-related claims.

We appear regularly before state and federal courts and before government enforcement agencies (such as the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, the New Hampshire Human Rights Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Department of Labor, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) to advocate for our clients. We are proud of our long history of successes, not only in the courtroom, but also in resolving disputes through alternative means.

Labor Issues and Collective Bargaining – DRM attorneys offer our clients extensive experience in

• representing unionized employers in collective bargaining;
• providing advice concerning the administration of collective bargaining agreements;
• representing employers in arbitration hearings;
• handling unfair labor practice charges before the NLRB; and
• advising employers confronted with union organizing drives.

We understand labor issues and work effectively to protect our clients’ interests.

Training – DRM provides regular training to supervisors and managers. Our customized training informs supervisors and managers of the legal framework applicable to their positions. With a focus on practical examples, we train supervisors and managers to work effectively with their employees to reduce nonproductive behaviors and the risk of litigation. Training programs include:

• sexual harassment training;
• handling performance, discipline and discharge issues;
• understanding and dealing with family, medical and other leave issues;
• proper handling of disability issues;
• effective documentation strategies, and
• successful interviewing and hiring practices.

Based in Vermont and New Hampshire, connected throughout the world

As the exclusive member firm for Vermont of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading association of independent law firms, DRM has immediate access to more than 20,000 lawyers in 160 prominent and successful law firms with more than 600 offices in 120 countries. The firm’s association with Lex Mundi gives DRM’s clients the added benefits of:

 

• access to market knowledge and experience in other jurisdictions
• relevant industry focus
• sound business and language skills
• responsive service
   

Collectively, DRM’s Labor & Employment law attorneys are licensed to practice in Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland and Washington, D.C., as well as before five U.S. District Courts, four U.S. Courts of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. They are actively involved in professional organizations and trade associations related to their areas of concentration.

Areas of concentration

Administrative proceedings (EEOC, NLRB, state agencies)
Discrimination/Harassment/Retaliation
Wage & Hour
Leaves of Absence
Counseling
Handbooks and Policies
Management Training
Union Organizing
Collective Bargaining
Labor Arbitrations
Labor Relations
Strike Response And Preparation (including Boys Markets injunctions)
Occupational Health and Safety
Restrictive Covenants (non-competition agreements, et al)
Plant Closing and Mass Layoff
Employment Agreements

Contact Us

To explore how DRM’s Labor & Employment Law group can help you, contact Practice Group Chair Tim Copeland or any of our Directors: Peter Robb, Eric Jones, Pat Sabalis, Johan Maitland and Beth Rattigan.

A full-service New England law firm

Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC is a full-service, regional law firm. As clients’ needs expand into other areas of law, the firm’s wide range of focused knowledge and experience and commitment to vigorous collaboration across practice areas can provide seamless, cost-effective legal representation.