Find Labor and Employment Law Expertise – Wherever You Do Business
The Employment Law Alliance offers the most comprehensive and cost-effective way for multi-state and multi-national companies to ensure legal compliance around the globe. The ELA is a network of over 3,000 attorneys providing employment and labor expertise in more than 90 countries and all 50 U.S. states. We work closely together to ensure that our clients’ legal matters are handled seamlessly wherever they do business. We provide a smarter, more efficient and effective alternative to using a single multi-state or multi-national law firm.
Why should a client use the services of the Employment Law Alliance?
On November 17, 2008, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued new final regulations interpreting the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Taking effect on January 16, 2009, the new regulations make a number of significant changes to the existing, original regulations that date back to 1995. Although employers will have more latitude to obtain information from employees and health care pro... [ more ]
DOL PROPOSES TO “CLEAN UP” FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT REGULATIONS
On July 28, 2008 the Department of Labor (“DOL”) proposed another round of revisions to its Fair Labor Standards Act regulations. Unlike the August 2004 revisions, which significantly altered the “white collar” exemption regulations, the stated goal of the latest proposed revisions is merely to “clean up” regulations that are out of date due to subsequent le... [ more ]
COMPUTER EMPLOYEES—THE NEXT WAGE AND HOUR THORN FOR EMPLOYERS?
Does your Company classify all its Information Technology (IT) employees as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act’s computer employee exemption? If the answer is “yes,” then your organization likely operates under what a federal appellate court judge called the “common misperception that all jobs involving computers are necessarily highly complex and require ex... [ more ]
WAGE AND HOUR PERILS OF LAYOFFS, REDUCED WORKWEEKS AND OTHER PAYROLL REDUCTION MEASURES
Today’s difficult economic and financial climate has many companies considering various cost-cutting measures, including layoffs, reduced workweeks, pay reductions and voluntary furloughs. These actions raise wage and hour questions that often are overlooked. The unwary employer may reduce payroll costs but wind up with a wage and hour lawsuit as a result. The good news is that a well-i... [ more ]
For employers who use or plan to use E-Verify, we recommend the following actions to ensure compliance with the government program and avoid disruptions in their operations:
1. Strategize. It can be difficult logistically for employers with multiple sites in multiple states to roll out the E-Verify program. Most importantly, will every site enroll in E-Verify? Which sit... [ more ]
ELA periodically conducts polls to learn what is on the typical American worker’s mind and to get a better sense of his or her employment-related concerns, interests, and priorities. Click on the link below to read our latest poll results.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (September 12, 2008) - More than half of American workers are worried about finding a new job if they become unemployed, followed closely by concerns over their ability to pay for healthcare insurance, according to the latest "America At Work" national poll conducted by the Employment Law Alliance, the world's largest network of employment attorneys. The EL... [ more ]
PHILADELPHIA, PA (April 16, 2008) - Americans overwhelmingly want their next President to focus more on improving their standard of living, providing universal healthcare, and stemming the outsourcing of jobs overseas than making it easier for immigrants to live and work in the U.S., according to the latest "America At Work" national opinion survey by the non-partisan... [ more ]
We are pleased to announce that the law firm of Palacios, Ortega & Asociados has been recognized as one of the best labor law firms in Venezuela -- and that ELA member Jose Manuel Ortega Perez was singled out for inspiring “complete faith - he’s an institution in the labour area.” He has “a profound knowledge of the market” and, in a growing practice area where a new generation of ex... [ more ]
Three ELA members - CEO Stephen J. Hirschfeld, Illinois member Bruce R. Alper, and Kansas/Western Missouri member Rosalee M. McNamara - were recently elected Fellows of The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. They join 56 other distinguished labor and employment lawyers to comprise the Class of 2008.
Membership in the College is by invitation only, and honors those lawyers wh... [ more ]
A complete ELA member list in PDF format can be downloaded by clicking here
Employment Law News & Article Library
The News and Article Library serves as a depository and clearinghouse for legal information produced by ELA members and their firms. It is where you can go to find articles, commentary, and client newsletters that delineate and analyze the latest developments in labor and employment law, including recent court decisions, the impact of new laws and regulations, and updates on labor trends and employment practices.
We own, manage, and franchise hotels throughout the U.S. and in more than 90 countries. With more than 145,000 employees worldwide, ensuring that we comply with the complex web of local labor and employment laws in every one of these jurisdictions is a daunting task. The Employment Law Alliance has served as an important resource for us and we have benefited greatly from its expertise and long reach. When a legal dispute or issue has arisen in some far-flung place, Employment Law Alliance lawyers have always provided responsive, practical, and cost-effective assistance.
Keith Grossman Senior Vice-President, Deputy General Counsel Starwood Hotels And Resorts Worldwide Inc. White Plains, NY
Altra Industrial Motion Inc. has multiple locations in the U.S., as well as Central America, Europe, and Asia. The Employment Law Alliance has proved to be a great asset in assisting us in dealing with employment issues and matters in such diverse venues as Mexico, Australia, and Spain. We have obtained excellent results using the ELA network for matters ranging from a multi-state review of employment policies to assisting with individual employment issues in a variety of foreign jurisdictions.
In one instance, we were faced with an employment dispute with a former associate in Mexico that had the potential for substantial economic exposure. The matter had been pending for over a year, and we were not confident in the employment advice we had been receiving. I obtained a referral to the ELA counsel in Mexico, who was able to obtain a favorable resolution of the dispute in only a few days. Based on our experiences with the ELA, we would not hesitate to use its many resources for future employment law needs.
Tim McGowan Vice President of Human Resources Altra Industrial Motion, Inc. Quincy, MA
The ELA network has been immensely important to our company in helping us address an array of human resources challenges around the world. I strongly encourage H.R. executives who have employees located in many different jurisdictions to utilize the ELA's unparalleled expertise and geographic coverage.
Stacy Murphy Director of Human Resources Palm, Inc. Sunnyvale, CA
Ingram Micro is the world's largest technology distributor, providing sales, marketing, and logistics services for the IT industry around the globe. With over 13,000 employees working throughout the U.S. and in 35 international countries, we need employment lawyers who we can count on to ensure global legal compliance. Our experience with many multi-state and multi-national law firms is that their employment law services are not always a high priority for them, and many do not have experts in many of their offices. The ELA has assembled an excellent team of highly skilled employment lawyers, wherever and whenever I need them, and they have proven to be an invaluable resource to our company.
Mark Okey Director and Senior Corporate Counsel Ingram Micro Santa Ana, California
Until recently, I was unaware of the ELA's existence. We have subsidiaries and affiliates throughout the United States, as well as in Asia, the Middle East and Europe. When a recent legal issue arose in Texas, our long-time Nevada counsel, who is a member of the ELA, suggested that this matter be handled by his ELA colleague in Dallas. We are very pleased with the quality and timeliness of services provided by that firm, and we are excited to now have the ELA as an important asset to help us address employment law issues worldwide.
Charles Molina President Nikkiso Cryo, Inc. Las Vegas, NV
In my career I have been a practicing attorney, counsel to the Governor of Maine, and CEO of a major public utility. I have worked with many lawyers in many settings. When the American University in Bulgaria needed help with employment litigation in federal court in Syracuse, New York, we turned to Pierce Atwood, the ELA member we knew and trusted in Maine, for a referral. We were extremely pleased with the responsiveness and high quality of service we received from Bond Schoeneck & King, the ELA's firm in upstate New York. I would not hesitate to recommend the ELA to any employer.
David Flanagan Chair of the Board of Trustees American University in Bulgaria Manchester, ME
As the General Counsel for a company with 6,500 employees operating across the U.S. and in eight countries, it is critical that I have top quality lawyers on the ground where we do business. The ELA is an indispensable resource. It has taken the guesswork out of finding the best employment counsel wherever we have a problem.
Jill Bond Vice President & General Counsel Rich Products Buffalo, NY
As an employment lawyer based in San Francisco, I work closely with high tech clients with operations around the globe. Last year, one of my clients needed to implement a workforce reduction in a dozen countries simultaneously. And they gave me 48 hours to accomplish this. I don't know how I could have pulled this off without the resources of the ELA. I don't know of any single law firm that could have made this happen. My client received all of the help they needed in a timely fashion and on a cost effective basis.
Stephen J. Hirschfeld Partner Curiale Dellaverson Hirschfeld & Kraemer, LLP San Francisco, California
Sanmina-SCI has facilities strategically located in key regions throughout the world. Our customers expect that we will provide them with the highest quality and most sophisticated services in the marketplace. We have that same expectation for the lawyers with whom we do business. With operations in 17 countries, we need to be certain that we have a team of lawyers working together to address our employment law needs worldwide. The ELA has delivered exactly what it promised-- seamless and consistent high quality services delivered in each locale around the globe. It has quickly become a key asset for our human resources department.
Phil Alarid
Vice President, Human Resources
Sanmina-SCI
San Jose, California
Wilmington Trust has used the ELA to locate firms in California, Washington State, Georgia, and Europe. Our experience with the ELA lawyers with whom we have worked has always been one of complete satisfaction and prompt, practical advice.
Michael A. DiGregorio Senior Vice President and General Counsel WilmingtonTrust Corporation Wilmington, DE
