Employment Advice & Counseling

We advise employers on hiring practices, job postings, and interview protocols that comply with federal, state, and local laws. Our attorneys draft and review employment agreements, offer letters, confidentiality and noncompete provisions, and arbitration clauses that protect business interests while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations.

Hinshaw helps employers create and maintain comprehensive employee handbooks and policies that reflect current legal requirements and workplace realities. We design compliance programs tailored to each client’s size, structure, and industry, addressing issues such as equal employment opportunity, wage and hour compliance, and workplace safety.

We counsel HR leaders and managers on performance reviews, progressive discipline, and documentation strategies that minimize litigation risk. Our guidance focuses on consistency, fairness, and compliance with anti-discrimination and retaliation laws, helping employers handle sensitive performance issues effectively and defensibly.

Our attorneys conduct and advise on internal investigations involving discrimination, harassment, whistleblower complaints, and employee misconduct. We provide objective, confidential assessments that help employers respond appropriately while reducing exposure and maintaining workplace integrity.

We advise employers on compliance with the FMLA, ADA, and state-specific leave and accommodation laws. Our team develops policies and processes for managing requests, coordinating benefits, and addressing overlapping obligations in ways that protect both the employee’s rights and the employer’s operational needs.

Hinshaw helps employers navigate complex wage and hour laws under the FLSA and state equivalents, including classification, overtime, and pay equity issues. We also conduct audits and training to prevent costly collective actions and agency investigations.

We provide strategic guidance on employee separations, reductions in force, and restructuring. Our team drafts and negotiates severance agreements, manages WARN Act compliance, and helps employers mitigate reputational and legal risks during periods of organizational change.

Hinshaw offers customized training for executives, managers, and HR professionals on topics such as harassment prevention, accommodation requirements, effective documentation, and disciplinary best practices. These sessions help employers strengthen compliance and build leadership confidence in addressing workplace challenges.

As hybrid and remote work models expand, our attorneys help employers address the legal complexities of multi-state compliance. We advise on jurisdictional issues, payroll tax implications, and policies that ensure compliance across diverse regulatory environments.