Labor & Employment Law Practice For Public Schools
Proactive Counseling
A large part of our labor and employment expertise is devoted to helping clients steer clear of liability as they take necessary actions in fulfilling their educational missions. We pride ourselves on our long track record of providing creative solutions to successfully resolve difficult employment issues that are unique to public schools, while minimizing liability risks. We routinely assist clients on issues involving hiring and firing, employment policies, criminal background checks, employee furloughs and demotions, wage and hour compliance, prevention and investigation of harassment claims, employee privacy, PDE certification issues, and compliance with other complex employment laws such as the ADA, FMLA, FLSA, and USERRA. We also strive to keep school clients informed of significant employment law developments through complimentary seminars, newsletters, and email alerts.
Labor Negotiations
KKLL regularly assists school districts negotiating collective bargaining agreements with teacher and support staff bargaining units. Our attorneys often serve as the lead negotiator in negotiation sessions, and provide valuable assistance in crafting salary, health care coverage, and other fringe benefits proposals that achieve substantial cost savings. We also have extensive experience with the Act 88 fact-finding process, and have helped many school districts obtain contract settlements through those proceedings.
PLRB Practice
Our practice spans all aspects of public sector labor-management relations, including counseling and representation of school clients on union organizing campaigns, unit clarification petitions and unfair labor practice charges before the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board.
Employee Dismissal Cases
KKLL has been very successful counseling and representing school districts in dismissal proceedings involving administrators, teachers, and support staff members. Our thorough investigations in such matters often lead to employee resignations. In adversarial proceedings, KKLL has successfully defended dismissal decisions before arbitrators, the Secretary of Education, and Pennsylvania courts.
Discrimination Claims
KKLL’s labor and employment attorneys defend school clients against discrimination claims before state and federal courts and administrative agencies, including the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and various other state and federal agencies. As an advocate, we provide aggressive and effective representation while keeping the client well informed as to case status, strategy, projected costs, and resolution options.
Employee Benefits
KKLL provides advice and strategy regarding employee benefits compliance issues involving the Internal Revenue Code, ERISA, COBRA, HIPAA, PPACA, and other employee benefits laws. We provide employers with creative, practical, and “user friendly” advice in this increasingly complex area of the law.
Management Training
KKLL’s attorneys routinely provide management training for school clients on subjects including sexual harassment prevention, handling harassment complaints, documenting performance problems, ADA/FMLA compliance, and labor relations. In today’s workplace, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Management training sessions help clients prevent costly litigation so school districts can remain focused on education.
KEGEL KELIN LITTS & LORD LLP
24 North Lime Street, Lancaster, PA 17602-2913
Phone: 717-392-1100 Fax: 717-392-4385