Labor & Employment Law
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Labor & Employment Law

Puerto Rico Labor Law Attorney

The Labor and Employment Law Department represents local, U.S. and international employers doing business in Puerto Rico, including members of the retail, manufacturing, service, heath care, and franchise operations. Our attorneys also have experience in serving health care providers and members of other industries requiring special attention, where restrictions apply to the number of appropriate units and requirements of prior notice are imposed on the right to strike under certain circumstances.

Employment discrimination defense and other litigation

The department is also actively involved in the defense of cases alleging employment discrimination and sexual harassment before U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico as well as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico courts. Our attorneys have extensive experience with cases involving allegations of wrongful termination of employment; allegations of discrimination because of sex, age, race, political affiliation or ideas, religion, marital status, disability, social origin or social condition or national origin; claims of sexual harassment; workers’ compensation defense litigation; and claims of wage and hour violations.

Counseling

Labor and employment law attorneys of the firm also provide counseling on issues such as those described above, as well as others arising under federal and Puerto Rico statutes falling under the jurisdiction of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Office of Federal Contract Compliance and Procedures, the Antidiscrimination Unit of the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and the Office of Mediation and Adjudication of the Puerto Rico Department of Labor. Consultations and advice are also given on matters arising under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Employment Retirement Insurance and Security Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act, Civil Rights Act, COBRA, WARN, and on similar statutes and regulations enacted and promulgated under federal and Puerto Rico law.

National Labor Relations Act practice

The firm has represented management in over 160 union representation elections conducted by the Puerto Rico Regional Office of the National Labor Relations Board or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Labor Relations Board. This work includes counseling, orientation and supervision of campaigns prior to the election itself, and the pursuit of postelection remedies. Members of the department have also had extensive experience in handling cases involving charges of unfair labor practices under the National Labor Relations Act, including litigation of such cases before the NLRB and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. In addition, the Firm has represented many clients in negotiations of collective bargaining agreements and arbitration of disputes arising from the interpretation of such agreements.

Immigration and naturalization law

Members of the department represent corporate clients in immigration procedures before the Departments of State and Homeland Security. Among other matters, this includes the filing of petitions for immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, as well as naturalization procedures. See immigration law.

Collaboration with other departments

The firm’s labor law and employment law attorneys collaborate with members of the Environmental Law Practice Group on matters relating to OSHA compliance and with members of the tax law department in matters relating to ERISA. In addition, members of the department work closely with the firm’s corporate lawyers to assist our merger, acquisition and refinancing clients by reviewing transactions to identify labor and employment liabilities, minimize the prospects of litigation and ensure compliance with applicable labor and employment statutes and regulations.

Seminars and trainings

Attorneys in GAC’s labor and employment department organize and serve as panelists at many seminars and training sessions for audiences as diverse as clients’ managers and supervisors, attorneys, college and law school students, and professional and business community groups.

Members of the Labor and Employment Law Department:

Vicente J. AntonettiAngel BerberenaRomel E. Meléndez-Fred . Luis D. Ortiz-AbreuHoward PravdaGabriel A. Quintero-O’Neill . Jorge Rodríguez-MicheoJavier G. Vázquez-Segarra

Members of the group may collaborate with members of other practices at our firm to provide comprehensive solutions for individual clients.

Members of the firm appear on behalf of clients before federal and Puerto Rico courts, government agencies, and in domestic and foreign transactions. GAC’s offices are in the American International Plaza Building in the heart of Hato Rey, San Juan, Puerto Rico’s financial district. If you would like to speak with a member of the firm or have any other question, please contact the firm to arrange a consultation with an attorney with the appropriate experience.