Jeffrey B. Gilbreth

Jeff provides employers of all sizes and in all industries with strategic advice and counsel with respect to their business operations and employment law compliance.

My focus

All employers have employment law issues. I help clients with all aspects of employment law, but much of my work is focused on these areas:

Advice & Counsel

I regularly advise clients with respect to negotiating the myriad wage-hour laws, managing employee performance and leaves of absence, drafting and negotiating employment agreements, mitigating risk of liability in connection with layoffs and other employee exits, and negotiating settlements in employee disputes and government investigations.

I also focus on advising on employment law issues in connection with corporate transactions (mergers and acquisitions, sales of companies, and strategic investments).

Wage-Hour

Wage-hour laws are incredibly detailed and expose employers to significant potential liability (multiple damages, attorneys’ fees, class/collective claims). I work with companies proactively to ensure their policies and practices comply with all applicable wage-hour laws, and I defend them when something goes awry and they face a claim from a current or (more likely) former employee.

Layoffs/Reductions in Force

Employers are regularly reorganizing their workforces, which often results in a layoff or reduction in force. Whenever large numbers of employees are let go, employers face significant potential liability.

I work with clients of all sizes to navigate the pitfalls associated with restructurings and layoffs. I help my clients at every step of the process to help minimize exposure to discrimination and other wrongful termination claims, comply with the WARN Act and related state statutes, prepare separation agreements, and to communicate effectively with the remaining workforce.

Employee Management

Employees are constantly posing challenges for their employers, and I help my clients navigate these challenges. My work in this area often involves advising clients on managing leaves of absence, disciplining problem employees, protecting trade secrets, enforcing non-compete and other post-employment restrictions, and managing workplace investigations.

Looking ahead

The “post-COVID” work environment has created a number of challenges for employers, including: (i) managing remote workers and the associated employment law, tax, and data security issues; (ii) navigating returning employees to employers’ offices; and (iii) addressing staffing challenges. Employers are struggling to balance business needs with employee preferences and legal compliance.