Employment + Small Business Law

We practice in the areas of employment and small business primarily to serve our student and educator clients who need assistance in these areas. We are particularly focused on employment related issues for students and educators, as well as the creation and organization of startup businesses for students and educators. However, our experience in these practice areas allows us to serve a broader range of clientele, even outside the education context.

BUSINESS FORMATION and STARTUP: Initially, we help clients form businesses, obtain licenses and draft the initial operating agreement(s). The formation process includes selecting the most appropriate entity (sole proprietorship, limited liability company, partnership, C-corporation or S-corporation) based on potential tax implications and personal liability. We continue by helping clients draft and interpret employment policies, procedures and contracts to avoid costly workplace conflicts. We also advise clients on the formation and proper use of advisory boards. In many cases, we can provide practical solutions and/or self-help advice that can be implemented without incurring expensive legal fees.

EMPLOYMENT RELATED MATTERS: We help clients by drafting, reviewing and/or negotiating employment contracts, and help clients navigate contract termination, severance agreements, non-renewal of contracts, layoffs, workplace investigations, due process hearings, licensure issues and all types of employee discipline.

TERMINATION AND BEYOND: We also handle wrongful termination claims and employee severance agreements. We help clients terminated during maternity leave or other forms of protected leave. We can also help draft and/or negotiate the release of non-compete, non-solicitation and non-disclosure agreements. Other issues covered include:

Breach of Employment Contract;
Termination Hearings;
Disciplinary Proceedings;
School Law, Teacher Termination, Principal Termination, School Administrator Disciplinary Proceedings;
Department of Education and Office of Professional Conduct-Licensure Investigations and Hearings;
Representation for Workplace Investigations;
Unemployment Compensation Hearings;
State Personnel Board of Review Hearings;
Civil Service Employee Hearings;
Non-Compete Agreements and Release of Non-Compete Agreements;
Severance Agreements;
Non-Disclosure Agreements and Confidentiality Agreements;
Other Employment Agreements;
Maternity Leave Termination; and
Mediation and Arbitration.

We represent clients in mediation and arbitration, and in matters before the Civil Rights Commission, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and federal and state courts.

MEET THE EMPLOYMENT AND SMALL BIZ TEAM:

Liz Abdnour, Attorney

Kevin Rouch, Attorney

Mark Weiker, Attorney