Services for Employers

I provide employment law advice to employers, giving prompt answers to employment law compliance questions; helping them resolve difficult personnel issues; and drafting their employee handbooks, policies and contracts. I have advised many different types of businesses, large and small, including manufacturing and service businesses, medical practices, nursing homes, retailers, personnel agencies, banks and non profits. Many of my employer clients have used me as their employment attorney year after year for 10-20 years. My clients tell me:
"You are always so very helpful to us in determining what course of action we should follow!"
"I love that I can get you on the phone right away and get an answer to my problem the same day."
"I have never experienced such responsiveness in an attorney!"

Reasonable cost: I choose to practice outside of Boston, in the Route 128 area, and keep my billing rate as reasonable as I can. My hourly billing rate is about $50-$100 per hour less than a large Boston law firm would charge for the services of an employment attorney of comparable experience and competence.

Medical expertise: I have special expertise which makes me a good choice to serve as an employment attorney to a medical practice, nursing home or other medical facility. For more details, please go back to the home page and click on "my specialty advising medical employers."

I provide many types of services to employers, such as:
  • I give prompt and reliable answers to employment law compliance questions so that businesspeople can feel confident that they are handling such matters correctly, minimizing the risk of expensive litigation or governmental prosecution. I have focused on employment law for more than 20 years, and keep current on new developments, so I can answer many questions without needing to spend time on research. It is very important to me to answer my client’s questions promptly, usually the same day they call me.
  • I advise employers how to resolve difficult personnel problems. I have helped employers successfully resolve scores of such problems over the years, including employees suspected of violence, sabotage, theft, unlawful harassment, and incompetence. I have also helped employers resolve workplace conflicts among employees. In addition, I provide advice about how to control employee attendance problems without violating discrimination laws.
  • I provide assistance in drafting, and periodically reviewing and updating, employee handbooks and workplace policies and procedures, ensuring that they are compliant with all applicable laws as well as advisable from a practical perspective.
  • I help employers in drafting their employment contracts, severance agreements, noncompetition agreements and Affirmative Action Plans. I have drafted many such documents over the years, and can therefore do them competently and cost effectively.
  • I provide advice and assistance when employers need to conduct layoffs or otherwise terminate employees, to help them follow procedures that minimize the risk of lawsuits.
  • I help employers determine which employees are exempt from overtime pay requirements, and otherwise provide the advice they need to comply with all of the many state and federal laws regarding employee compensation. I also help employers determine whether a worker can lawfully be classified as an independent contractor.
  • When employers receive internal complaints of sexual harassment, I provide the assistance they need in investigating the complaint and deciding what action to take. In several cases, my investigation strategy has revealed that the complaint was fabricated.
  • I conduct audits of employer policies and procedures, to ensure compliance with all of the many employment laws.
  • I assist employers when the US Department of Labor or the state Attorney General’s Office conducts investigations of their employment law compliance, or accuses them of failure to comply with workplace laws.
  • I provide employment law related training to employees on such topics as sexual harassment and managing attendance in compliance with the law.


Services for Employees

I also provide employment law advice and assistance to employees. Some of my employee clients have been kind enough to write to me:
"I cannot begin to thank you for all of the time and effort you have put in to help me. It was such a comfort hearing your voice on the other end of the phone assuring me that things would be OK. It has been an utmost pleasure to know you and learn from you. You have my eternal gratitude for all you have done".
"You are very easy to work with and your helpful and optimistic attitude is greatly appreciated".
"I would recommend you to anyone who needs a great attorney!"

Among the Services I have provided to employees:
  1. I provide legal and problem solving advice to employees, such as an employee who develops a disability and needs a reasonable accomodation from his/her employer.
  2. I also assist employees by helping them negotiate with their employers to save their jobs or obtain payment of disputed compensation.
  3. I negotiate employment contracts for employees.
  4. I evaluate proposed severance agreements and help employees understand their rights and make an informed choice about whether to sign the agreement.
  5. I determine the validity of noncompetition or nonsolicitation agreements employees have signed, and help them resolve disputes over such agreements.







Testimonials

"You have been really great for my company. You are very professional, knowledgeable, easy to speak with and prompt."


 

Contact Info

Leslie Lockard
The Law Office of Leslie Lockard, P.C.
Norwood Corporate Center
1500 Providence Highway (Route 1) – Suite 33
Norwood, MA 02062
Phone: (781) 551-0800
FAX: (781) 551-0801
Llockard@leslielockard.com