Labor and Employment Counseling

At Sheppard, we help companies create workplaces that embody their values and stand up to scrutiny. Our team advises boards, executives and HR leaders on fostering inclusive workplaces, addressing whistleblower concerns, ensuring pay equity, navigating ESG compliance, shaping workplace culture and managing executive compensation.

We advise employers, plan sponsors, fiduciaries and trustees on designing and managing qualified and nonqualified retirement, health and welfare plans. We support 401(k), defined contribution, SERPs, ESOPs and more. Our team handles plan design, compliance under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code), fiduciary responsibilities and dispute resolution, from benefits claims to executive compensation. When conflicts arise, we litigate disputes, including fiduciary breach, plan denial and ERISA class actions. Backed by technical accuracy and full-service support, we help clients protect their benefits programs and navigate complex regulatory landscapes. 

Sheppard helps employers manage hiring, discipline and termination with clarity, care and legal precision. We draft offer letters, performance plans and severance agreements, and advise on employee conduct, accommodations and compliance risks. We’ll help you devise customized employee performance evaluation forms and improvement plans and guide you on appropriate steps in employee discipline. As your workforce evolves, our lawyers counsel on restrictive covenants and confidentiality agreements, offer practical guidance for onboarding competitive hires and design exit protocols to ensure departing employees understand their ongoing legal obligations. 

Our Labor and Employment lawyers draft and negotiate employment agreements of all kinds. From executive and consulting agreements to confidentiality, non‑compete, arbitration, equity, commission and privacy clauses, we tailor every document to your business and legal environment. Our full-service approach ensures compliance across tax, ERISA, securities and employment law issues. Our clients trust us to simplify complex agreements into clear, enforceable tools that help retain talent, manage risk and reinforce their business values. 

HR leaders seek our guidance to design clear, enforceable handbooks and personnel policies. We draft, review and update documents covering topics like anti-discrimination, leave, PTO (paid time off), progressive discipline, electronic use and safety protocols. Our team proactively audits policies to reduce risk and improve compliance. Well-crafted policies not only communicate expectations but also become powerful defense tools when disputes occur. Backed by ongoing updates and expert guidance, our approach ensures your resource materials and directives stay current, practical and legally sound.

Sheppard is a recognized leader in providing sexual harassment training to companies and their employees, covering both prevention and investigations. We design customized training programs tailored to your culture, industry and regulatory environment, seeking to cultivate real awareness and accountability. When allegations arise, we conduct prompt, fair and legally compliant investigations, either in-house or coordinating external consultants. Our experienced team helps employers respond effectively, minimize risk and build a respectful workplace.

Our practical legal support helps employers stay safe, compliant and proactive under OSHA and health‑safety laws. We can advise on developing injury and illness prevention programs, navigating federal enforcement actions and responding to workplace safety incidents, including death and serious injury incidents or hazardous exposure risks. We draft customized safety policies, conduct internal audits and deliver training aligned with the latest regulations. When citations arise or hearings begin, our lawyers help challenge allegations and resolve matters efficiently. Skilled in every phase of OSHA compliance and enforcement, we help protect workplaces and reputations with clarity and care. 

We guide employers through the intricate landscape of federal and state wage and hour regulations. From exempt/non-exempt classification and overtime calculations to off-the-clock work, meal and rest breaks and independent contractor compliance, our team provides clear actionable guidance and conducts internal audits tailored to your operations. We stay ahead of legal developments at all levels nationwide and regularly represent employers in administrative proceedings and litigation. With our support, you gain seasoned counsel to help mitigate risk and safeguard your bottom line.