Peter Gillespie

I counsel and defend clients on workplace safety, drug and alcohol (especially cannabis) in the workplace, disputes relating to safety and health issues, and whistleblower claims. I have experience in all aspects of employment counseling and litigation, including wage and hour class actions, claims of harassment and discrimination, wrongful termination claims, misconduct investigations, leave and accommodation disputes, and compensation disputes. I have also successfully represented clients in state and federal court litigation involving alleged violations of laws protecting trade secrets, the enforcement of non-compete agreements, and other restrictive covenants and related fiduciary claims. I am an accomplished trial lawyer and have successfully tried OSHA and other employment matters before federal and state courts, the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) Commission judges, and OSHA state plan agencies. I assist clients with safety compliance, internal audits, expert retention and evaluation, agency inspections, workplace accidents, catastrophe response, litigation, and appeals. My workplace health and safety practice includes contesting, litigating, and negotiating favorable resolutions of federal and state OSHA citations, as well as representing employers in federal and state OSHA inspections arising from workplace fatalities and other catastrophes. In addition to my representation of employers in litigation and administrative proceedings, I devote a considerable portion of my practice to advice and compliance counseling covering the full range of employment, trade secrets, and restrictive covenant laws. I guide employers through issues such as employee discipline and discharge, workforce reductions, workplace investigations, wage and hour compliance, employment policies and handbooks, employee leave issues, OSHA compliance, and employment contract matters.