When you hire executives around the world, you need to know how to prepare employment agreements that both protect your company’s interests and comply with the laws and customs of the city and country where your employees are working. But, how can you do this cost-effectively? A 15-minute phone call with an ELA colleague – whether in the next state or half-way around the world – can avoid laborious and expensive hours of original research for a client. An ELA lawyer in Seattle who needs to consult with a colleague in Sydney, a client in Japan who needs an employment contract written in Johannesburg, and a Paris headquarters that closes a plant in Puerto Rico all have a network of relationships in place poised to meet the needs of clients. Secure online conferencing enables ELA member lawyers to discuss issues, share research, brainstorm strategy, keep apprised of new developments, and anticipate clients’ needs. ELA members are always there for one another – and for you.
One great lawyer is an invaluable resource for any employer. The Employment Law Alliance gives clients the strength and experience of an international network of 3,000 such practitioners and their firms. The requirements and customs of regions, the nuances of different localities, the trends developing in different countries, the judgments handed down in various courts – nothing important in labor and employment law escapes the notice of the Employment Law Alliance. A new issue for an ELA member in one corner of the world has probably already been addressed by another ELA member in a different corner.
Multi-jurisdictional clients who retain the services of the ELA benefit from a national and international team of premier attorneys. A team leader coordinates communication – sharing files, research, pleadings and strategy – and ensures that their combined skills and expertise enable them to address virtually any labor and employment issue you may have.
There is no employment or labor matter that at least one ELA member has not faced. We understand how businesses work and how governments operate. We represent employers of every type and size, from multi-national corporations to regional and local businesses, and we are keenly aware that sound, well-structured employment relationships are critical to the success of any enterprise. We also know that savvy employers expect their labor and employment lawyers not only to be first-rate litigators, but to be able to counsel and train their clients in preventive law.
A solid employment relationship starts with a labor and employment law audit performed by the Employment Law Alliance. A knowledgeable lawyer reviews your personnel policies and practices to ensure your legal compliance in such areas as: employee handbooks, employee privacy, union matters, safety issues, wage-and-hour questions, reorganizations, trade secrets, sexual harassment and discrimination, and more. We provide labor and employment law counseling that is responsive and practical, all tailored to meet the laws and statutory requirements of any jurisdiction.
Employers need to keep abreast of legal trends and understand how new developments affect them and their employees. What are the issues? What policies work best? How do they comply? Where are the legal pitfalls? Training through the ELA can result in fewer lawsuits, reduced legal expenses, and more satisfactory employment relationships. ELA training is practical, up-to-date, and delivered on-site to enable managers to immediately apply the lessons to their jobs. There is no substitute for personal interaction and face-to-face relationships. And, that is what the ELA is all about – establishing relationships to best understand and meet the client’s needs.
ELA members provide comprehensive litigation and negotiation services for all labor and employment matters in federal and state courts and before regulatory agencies. Our lawyers already know the local scene. We practice before local judges and arbitrators; we have worked with local agencies and commissions and have sat down with local union representatives. ELA members use this knowledge to provide effective early assessment, sound strategy, and focused representation. But, through the ELA, all of our local ties become truly global because we have the expertise and insight of thousands of colleagues around the world. Our comprehensive approach is an employer’s best assurance of getting the results it wants while minimizing future exposure.
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.
Our company, Konami Gaming, Inc., is growing rapidly in a very diverse and highly regulated industry. We are aggressively entering new markets outside the domestic U.S., including Canada and South America. I have had the recent opportunity to utilize the services provided by the ELA. The legal advice was both responsive and professional. Most of all, the entire process was seamless since our Nevada attorney coordinated the services and legal advice requested. I look forward to working with the ELA in the future, as it serves as a great resource to the legal community.
Jennifer Martinez
Senior Director, Human Resources
Konami Gaming, Inc.
Las Vegas, NV
Stephen J. Hirschfeld
Partner
Curiale Dellaverson Hirschfeld & Kraemer, LLP
San Francisco, California
E. Barry Parker
Vice President – Litigation & Assistant General Counsel
Movie Gallery US, LLC
Movie Gallery Canada, Inc.
Hollywood Entertainment Corporation
Dothan, AL
Michael A. DiGregoria
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
WilmingtonTrust Corporation
Wilmington, DE
