Labor & Employment Law

The Watanabe Law Firm’s employment law practice represents individuals and management in employment and employment-related matters. The law firm’s employment practice focuses in the areas of employment counseling, litigation, and executive representation. Headed by Laura A. Watanabe, who practiced employment law with nationally recognized law firms, the law firm’s employment practice is recognized as providing effective and cost-efficient representation.

Employment Counseling

The law firm provides counseling to clients on a continuing basis regarding discrimination, harassment, immigration, wage and hour, disability, family and medical leave issues, pension and benefit plans, restructuring and reorganization compliance issues, affirmative action practice, and other employment-related matters. Having represented small emerging companies, Fortune 500 companies and individuals in these matters, the Firm has a breadth of experience that lends itself to a wide variety of labor and employment matters that arise with regard to corporate function or individual employment.

Employment Litigation

The law firm’s employment litigation practice extends to litigation of sexual harassment, sex discrimination, race and national origin discrimination, age, and disability discrimination claims. In litigating employment claims, the law firm’s attorneys have appeared in federal and state courts and before federal, state, and local agencies charged with enforcement of fair employment practices.

Executive Representation

The law firm represents management and executives in matters regarding hiring, retention, and termination. As part of this practice, we negotiate employment, retention, and severance agreements, addressing issues such as compensation, pension and benefits, and non-compete and non-disclosure agreements.

Non-Compete Agreements and Trade Secrets

The law firm has extensive experience in the drafting, negotiation, and enforcement of non-compete agreements and trade secrets protections for both individual executives and businesses. Having represented both professionals and business, the law firm provides effective solutions to non-compete and trade secrets matters which are protective of their respective interests.

Employment-Related Litigation

In addition to traditional labor and employment litigation, the law firm represents management and individual executives in employment-related litigation matters. The law firm’s experience before various federal and state agencies provide management and individuals with counsel to effectively address matters subject of investigation or prosecution as a result of employment-related actions.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

The law firm has extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution of employment claims. Recognizing that litigation of matters before courts can be a costly and time-consuming proposition, we appreciate that some matters may be resolved more efficiently through arbitration or mediation. When a client is required to submit to arbitration or desires alternative dispute resolution to resolve a dispute, we develop strategies designed to achieve the most favorable result.

For employment law matters, contact Laura Watanabe at 212-486-7005 or by e-mail at lwatanabe@watanabe-law.com.