The services provided include exclusive representation of management in the areas of Collective Bargaining, Employment Law and Litigation and Business Immigration.
Our attorneys in the Labor and Employment Law Department have extensive experience representing exclusively management in connection with representation petitions before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), union avoidance campaigns, negotiation and drafting of collective bargaining agreements, and acting as trial counsel before the NLRB in unfair labor practice charges and other NLRB litigation.
The Labor and Employment Law Department has a full range of experienced attorneys in labor arbitrations and mediations. They have successfully and continuously represented employers with labor relations issues in the hospitality, casino, health care, manufacturing, construction, and waste disposition industries, among others.
All members of the Labor and Employment Law Department represent and vigorously defend employers before government agencies, such as the EEOC and the Puerto Rico Department of Labor, and in federal and Puerto Rico Courts, in connection with wrongful discharge cases, discrimination claims under Puerto Rico and federal laws, retaliation, sexual harassment in the workplace, and employment related tort cases such as defamation and privacy rights violations. A substantial element of the practice consists of general counseling with clients regarding avoidance of litigation, compliance with Puerto Rico and federal labor laws and regulations, and the settlement of claims.
For decades, Puerto Rico wage and hour laws, as well as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), have been grounds for daily overtime, meal periods, vacation, sick leave, and recordkeeping claims, among others. Our attorneys are acutely aware of this fact. Accordingly, they are ready to assist employers in the correct application of the “white-collar” exemptions and the rules and case law governing the independent contractor status, all recordkeeping requirements under Puerto Rico and federal laws, conduct audits of wage and overtime pay policies, and if needed, defend employers in litigation, including collective wage and hour actions. Attorneys in the Labor and Employment Department are also prepared to conduct in-house trainings in federal and Puerto Rico wage and hour laws and requirements to prevent the most common violations and secure full compliance with these laws.
The Labor and Employment Law Department also provides legal advice and representation in all areas of employees’ benefits. Special advice is given to matters related to leave obligations and employment reservations under the Puerto Rico Maternity Leave Act; the Workers Accident Compensation Act; the mandated Short Term Disability Insurance (SINOT); the Motor Vehicle Accident Act (ACAA); and the interaction of these laws with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), COBRA, and the American with Disability Act (ADA).
AMG’s attorneys have extensive experience in the area of business immigration law, and are able to provide clients cost-effective legal advice and tailored solutions to their needs.
Our skilled attorneys routinely assist employers in securing business related visas which allow them to recruit and transfer talented employees from all over the world, including business visitor arrangements for foreign consultants; L-1A and L-1B visas for intracompany transfers of international executives, managers, professionals, and persons with specialized knowledge; H-1B visas for persons to be employed in a professional capacity; and E visas for treaty traders and treaty investors. In addition, the immigration team provides counseling related to post- admission issues such as change of status or change of employer; employment-based permanent residence; Labor Certification Applications; I-9 audits and compliance practices; and visa options for family members of transferees.
Our attorneys have also represented corporate clients before all government agencies involved in immigration law, including:
At AMG, we are committed to helping firms operating in Puerto Rico acquire and retain the talented employees they need. To seek the advice of our experienced business immigration attorneys, contact us today.
