Employment Law Litigation & Human Resources

The Law Firm of Tom B. Kirkbride, P.C., offers a suite of employment law and human resources services that include advice and counseling, representation in litigation and agency matters, management and staff trainings, workplace investigations, drafting and review of employment policies and agreements, facilitating employee transitions, separation and severance agreements, and subject-matter expertise in transactional matters.

Employment lawsuits in Georgia have hit all-time highs, Employment litigation arising from employment disputes is difficult, emotional and costly. Our dedicated Georgia employment law team at the Law Firm of Tom B. Kirkbride, P.C., assist clients in a number of different employment law matters. Some of the most common kinds of cases we see include, but are not limited to: unpaid overtime, sexual harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, whistleblower protections, hostile work environment, and retaliation cases. Our firm has broad experience in cases involving:

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  • Claims of discrimination/wrongful termination under the expansive federal and state regulatory system established by laws such as Title VII, ADEA, FMLA, ADA, FLSA, Workers Compensation and the Georgia Labor Code.
  • Issues arising under individual employment contracts, severance agreements, and non-competition agreements.
  • In addition, we advise our clients on how to reduce the risks of litigation through the development and modification of employment policies, by providing training programs on legal trends and judicial developments, and by giving practical advice on contemplated employment actions such has hiring, firing, or other employee discipline.

Kirkbride Law focuses on serving municipal organizations, small and medium size business clients. We learn our clients’ business, business objectives, and corporate culture. We partner with our clients to provide results-oriented employment law services that are aligned with those business and municipal fundamentals. We offer proactive strategies that are designed to minimize litigation and disruption to the business. We also provide efficient solutions when adversarial proceedings are unavoidable. Utilizing our expertise – proactively and defensively – provides better protection of a company’s bottom line and liability reduction through proactive risk-management and proactive transactional solutions.

The Law Firm of Tom B. Kirkbride, P.C., has extensive experience in every aspect of employment law, including claims for discrimination on the job based on race, skin color, sex (gender), pregnancy, ethnicity, age and disability. Whatever your issue, we can address your concerns and advise you as to your options and the best course of action based on your particular situation.

Litigation and Agency Representation

Kirkbride Law commonly represents companies involved in litigation with current or former employees. We have litigated actions across the involving federal and state employment law claims from pre-trial litigation, to jury trials, to appeals. Our experience also includes representing clients before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Department of Labor.

Workplace Investigations

Attorney Tom Kirkbride and his team have conducted more than 100 workplace investigations, including allegations of individual discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, as well as claims of systemic age and sex discrimination. Our ability to quickly establish trust and confidence in the integrity of the investigative process has led to the successful resolution of numerous matters for our clients, as well as the avoidance of costly litigation.

Training

Kirkbride Law puts its experience with the EEOC, to work for our clients in providing comprehensive training. We offer traditional legal seminars and training in employment-related areas, including harassment, discrimination, ethics, workplace investigations, and company employee policies. We have provided training services for lawyers, senior management and supervisory, human resources, and hourly personnel. We also conduct training in areas related to managing marginal employees, coaching and mentoring, drug & alcohol testing / compliance.

Employee Transitions

Kirkbride Law assists both companies and executives in employment transition matters, including reductions in force, WARN Act obligations, and retention agreements. We routinely assist executives successfully negotiate employment agreements and severance packages. We also advise both employers and employees on non-compete agreements and other restrictive covenant matters.

Transactional Matters

Kirkbride Law provides litigation and employment law expertise in transactional deals, particularly in due diligence and purchase agreements. We also advise on employee-transition matters and employment and severance agreements in connection with mergers and acquisitions.

Handbooks, Policies, and Agreements

Kirkbride Law assists companies in ensuring that their policies and practices are consistent with the company’s business objectives and corporate culture, as well as in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Kirkbride Law drafts employee handbooks and policies; advises on best practices; and drafts and negotiates employment and severance agreements.

Employment Practices Audits

Kirkbride Law offers employment practices audits to assist clients in proactively avoiding potential legal problems. Audits provide a deterrent to litigation and can serve as a cornerstone of a company’s “good faith defense” in future litigation. Our audits provide a comprehensive view of a company’s compliance with employment laws that relate to wage and hour, human resources practices, and employment policies and forms. More than identifying potential problems, we help clients implement solutions to avoid and, where need be, remedy potential violations.

Special Counsel Matters

Kirkbride Law partners with other law firms, with no employment law practice, to handle employment matters and provide subject-matter expertise on their client matters. We also assist business clients in managing employment and commercial litigation. Kirkbride Law lawyers have selected local counsel; developed litigation strategy and devised suitable fee structures based on the strategy and matter; and managed counsel.

Affiliations with Subject-Matter Experts

To further its mission of providing full-service employment law services, Kirkbride Law semi-formally affiliates with subject-matter experts in employment-law related areas to form client-service teams. With the assistance of subject-matter experts, Kirkbride Law handles:

  • Employee benefits
  • Workers compensation
  • EEO Allegations Defense
  • Fair Labor and Standards (FLSA)
  • Business Immigration
  • Unemployment insurance
  • Traditional labor matters

Call or email the Law Firm of Tom B. Kirkbride, P.C., to discuss our employment legal services solutions for your business, municipality, or organization.