Brian Pezza

I spend most of my time working to keep employers in compliance and out of trouble. I partner with executives and with HR professionals to reach pragmatic and cost-effective solutions to difficult workplace situations. Medical Leave My clients rely on me to help navigate complex medical leave scenarios and to evaluate reasonable accommodation requests. Often these situations involve how various laws, including the ADA and FMLA, intersect with workplace attendance and conduct policies. I work with HR personnel to develop a communication strategy between the employer and health care provider. And if FMLA has been exhausted or does not apply, I help construct the fact-specific steps of the ADA's interactive process. Human Resources Counsel Employment law counseling is not always a case-by-case proposition, however. Smart employers update their policies and review their job descriptions periodically. I help employers keep their handbooks up-to-date and review job descriptions to ensure that employees are properly classified as exempt or non-exempt. I regularly conduct on-site training for company management and HR personnel alike on topics such as diverse as medical leave, sexual harassment, and affirmative action. When working with organized employers, I strive to understand my clients' priorities and goals so that I can negotiate a collective bargaining agreement that both faithfully reflects management's vision for the enterprise and enables both sides to work together productively during the contract term. Workplace Safety I also assist heavy industrial, manufacturing, and construction clients with their workplace safety and health programs. I coordinate crisis communication and response strategies, and conduct on-site investigations into workplace accidents. When clients face claims of safety violations, I oversee responses to OSHA inquiries and advocate to reduce or eliminate citations in order to protect clients’ resources and reputations within their industries. Employment Litigation I have represented a diverse range of employers in a lawsuit or discrimination charge: from a Fortune 20 pharmacy chain to a technology startup, from a national bank to a family-owned tree trimming business, from a large public school district to a small sheriff's department. I try cases in state and federal courts, and I represent employers in administrative investigations and government audits of many kinds. Disclaimer: The choice of an attorney is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements.