Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP is a firm with a real labor practice - not simply litigators who attempt employment cases. On a relative basis for a company our size, we have one of the biggest work and labor groups in California. Each of our lawyers works closely and personally with employer customers to develop proactive compliance and conflict resolution techniques. Our company believe this one-on-one therapy is far more efficient than an unwieldy team. We work with customers to assist them avoid work environment problems, but where debate is unavoidable, we have managed actually numerous jury trials, administrative trials and appeals before courts and administrative firms across the country.

JMBM is acknowledged as a Go-To Law Firm & reg; for the top 500 business in the United States in the locations of labor lawsuits and labor & employment law, as figured out by American Lawyer Media's (ALM) yearly survey of internal counsel at FORTUNE 500 & reg; business. Because labor and work issues often include high stakes and extreme time pressure, our legal representatives are committed to offering employers the most immediate service possible. We react quickly and without stop working, with uncomplicated guidance from a skilled legal representative who won't pass your issue off to somebody else. Issues like unwanted sexual advances and employment office violence demand immediate attention- and we offer it.

Employers in the middle of a conflict over an organizing drive or an unjust labor practice complaint depend on our aggressive and prompt action. Accountability and availability are our watchwords, and you get direct access to the person who can resolve your problem or answer your question.

One of the strengths of our labor and work group is the variety of the employers we represent. Public and private companies in company sectors varying from standard manufacturing to technology, clothing to aerospace and from healthcare to financial services all depend on JMBM labor lawyers, no matter the issue. Many customers have actually been with us 10 to 20 years-in numerous cases working with the very same experienced legal representative who thoroughly comprehends their business.

Our industry-specific avoidance and preparedness methods can prevent or minimize pricey claims. We work closely with senior executives and in-house counsel to craft customized, reliable employment policies - complete with a focus on appropriately training supervisors and HR staff on legal rights and obligations. Our services work to make sure compliance with national and state labor laws, lessen conflicts with workers, and make the most of strategic advantage if lawsuits is necessary. We stress imaginative preparation and aggressive advocacy for each customer.

There are organization sectors where we have special skill in handling employment matters. Many law practice depend on us for counsel on problems including personnel and lawyers, and we frequently advise broker-dealers on non-compete and employment disciplinary debates. Our attorneys also effectively represent lots of health care and hospitality industry customers in collective bargaining and other labor and employment concerns.

Any secured class of employees-by age, race, gender, impairment, religion-could bring match against a company under the discrimination statues. We have successfully prosecuted and dealt with all kinds of discrimination matters brought under such work 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 handle any claim is to prevent it from being submitted, and we provide customers efficient guidance right from the start to manage problems correctly and keep them from ending up being claims. If litigation is necessary, our attorneys examine completely and prepare a strong position that can negate complainant claims.

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

Often overlapping with discrimination concerns are claims for wrongful termination, vindictive treatment and whistle blowing. We comprehend the requirement in such cases to demonstrate that an employer's actions were correct, and in spite of the notoriety that is sometimes included, we have had significant success at revealing that company conduct was genuine and handled appropriately.

Whether your company presently has 3rd party representation or seeks to maintain a work environment devoid of such participation, our extremely efficient labor relations counsel can be vital to assisting preserve a competitive work environment while decreasing disputes and taking full advantage of management versatility. Employers that face union arranging drives depend 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 developing a "union-busting" debate


In unionized work environments, our firm is an extremely experienced and responsive partner that works together with company human resources and labor relations workers to:

- Take part in collective bargaining - consisting of multi-union, multi-location talks

- React to complaint and arbitration actions

- Manage decreases in force, drug testing, discipline proceedings and strikes

- Provide representation in NLRB procedures


Responsiveness, decision and focus are what set our labor relations counsel apart from that of other law practice. We provide immediate reaction, round-the-clock schedule in crisis scenarios and aggressive defense of all companies' rights.

We safeguard many companies versus class action claims in which staff members demand back overtime pay-and countless dollars in damages-claiming that under company policies the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime pay exemption no longer uses to them.

JMBM labor lawyers can assist companies prevent category problems that lead to lawsuits by:

- Auditing existing wage policy and pay practices

- Reviewing the language of written employment policies to make sure they comply with FLSA requirements for exempt and non-exempt workers

- Making sure all exempt employee task descriptions include management and guidance


If you as an employer are faced with a wage and hour lawsuit, whether under federal law or California wage and hour statutes, we install an energetic and efficient defense. Your JMBM legal representative will seek to deny class accreditation and work to protect an efficient and reliable settlement that dismisses unproven claims and safeguards your interests.

Disputes over non-compete agreements involving trade secrets frequently pit companies against each other - especially in California, where the state's Unfair Competition Law (Section 17200) makes it especially difficult to enforce non-compete terms. We've dealt with lawsuits representing both employees' previous and current companies, and are knowledgeable at protecting and resisting TROs and irreversible injunctions to safeguard employer interests in either type of case.