Labor and employment law seeks to protect workers from unfair dismissal, discrimination and abuse of power in the workplace. It also aims to ensure that employees have adequate access to labor rights and favorable conditions at work. The need for labor and employment law arises when an employee feels that he/she is exploited by an employer. The law also addresses issues such as the workplace violence and other social issues that arise in the workplace. The law seeks to address issues affecting workers at all stages of their employment.
Labour law supervises the relationship between employers, employees, trade unions and other state actors. collective bargaining laws relate to the tripartite inter-workplace relationship involving employer, employee and union. Individual labor law deals with the rights of workers at work and through the collective bargaining contract for employment. Industrial disputes may also call for the expertise of labor and employment law professionals. Such cases include harassment, discrimination and abuse at the workplace.
The growth of the private sector has contributed to the development of comprehensive labor laws. In the past, employment laws only applied to large companies. Today, employment practices are more flexible and there are more employers in the small and medium sector. Labor and employment attorneys have to be experts in the legal amendments applicable to particular industries, work situations and employers. These attorneys should possess strong knowledge about laws affecting the business through industry specific regulations.
Specialists who have experience in the practice area of labor and employment law can find employment in government agencies, labor unions, employers, and public service organizations such as the postal service (USPS) and corrections. They can also work as labor attorneys for specific states or as private attorneys providing labor and employment law services. In the public sector, these attorneys may work for local, state, or federal government agencies. They can also find employment in the academia and write articles for legal journals.
In the private sector, many employment lawyers provide general legal services to individuals, associations, or businesses. Their areas of specialization are family law, employment law, workers’ compensation, malpractice, and employment mediation. Some specialize in a specific clientele such as asbestos victims, domestic violence victims, or people with developmental disabilities. These lawyers can advise their clients on their rights and obligations under the law, including filing a complaint, handling negotiations with an employer, and possible litigation. They can draft a contractual agreement for the parties or refer their clients to appropriate law firms for further negotiations.
Employment lawyers can find jobs in the public sector, but the most preferred locations are in private practice. It is more lucrative to work in this field, since most of their clients are corporate clients who own small or medium-sized businesses and can afford expensive litigation and arbitration. In private practice, lawyers can focus on a specific group such as employees, management, and executives from large corporations, or they can practice employment law on a case-by-case basis. Many employment lawyers set up private practices, which enables them to deal with a limited number of cases over a smaller area of expertise.
For attorneys who are relocating to New York, the easiest way to build a practice is to work with a smaller firm that specializes in labor law. They will help the new attorney to develop an initial project and give them expert support until the attorney has established a base of clients and a strong practice area. As the attorney gains experience, he or she can branch out into other areas of the workforce, including employment litigation and disability. There are plenty of firms in New York that specializes in labor and employment law, including law offices, chambers of commerce, and franchises.
One important consideration for potential clients when hiring an employment lawyer in New York is whether or not the firm represents the employers. Some employers do not feel comfortable having their interests represented by a solo practitioner. Firms that provide legal representation for employers usually have a long-standing relationship with the majority of large employers in the city. These firms also have connections to a vast number of small employers and employees, which means that a number of different cases can be handled at the same time, allowing the new attorney to build a clientele.