Valerie Bluth

I have spent my entire career practicing employment and labor law. I primarily represent and advise employers, but also represent executives and employees in limited circumstances. I am proud to have been selected as a Super Lawyers New York Metro Rising Star from 2015 to 2023 and now a Super Lawyer for 2024 in the area of Employment & Labor Law. Throughout my career, I have litigated a range of employment law matters in federal & state courts & before administrative agencies regarding claims asserted under: - Title VII - Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) - Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - Rehabilitation Act - Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) - Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) - New York Labor Law - NYS Human Rights Law - NYC Human Rights Law Though I am a seasoned litigator, my passion is counseling and compliance. In that regard, I regularly counsel clients regarding legal & practical issues that arise in the workplace, including: - Employment policies, including on a multi-state basis - COVID-19 compliance - Internal investigations - Avoiding & addressing harassment in the workplace - Social media issues - Reasonable accommodation & leave management - Wage/hour compliance - Terminations & disciplinary actions - Independent contractor and exempt classification issues - Unemployment Insurance & Workers' Compensation I also regularly: - Negotiate and draft employment, restrictive covenant, settlement & separation agreements - Draft employment policies & handbooks - Negotiate settlements with opposing counsel - Take & defend depositions - Train managers & staff regarding principles of workplace law I have a broad educational and practical background in traditional labor law, including: - Collective bargaining agreement analysis & administration - Grievance, arbitration and NLRB proceedings (including as first chair in a NLRB trial before an ALJ) I have represented both small businesses and large corporations including those with operations in a multitude of states, in both unionized and non-unionized settings, in the hospitality, real estate, construction, financial services, analytics, startup, advertising, automotive, retail, luxury brand, cosmetics, journalism, education, healthcare, nonprofit and municipal sectors. I also regularly speak on employment and workplace-related issues, including in a regular quarterly hospitality industry webinar series and on various CLE panels. [MAY CONSTITUTE ATTORNEY ADVERTISING]