Colorado Employment Law

Excellent employee relations can typically be maintained through proactive legal counsel, risk-management by development of proper employment policies and procedures in Colorado, and effective dispute resolution. However, there are occasions when we also need to defend our clients in employment lawsuits in Colorado. With an employment law team recognized by U.S. News for Best Colorado Law Firms in Litigation, Labor & Employment, our attorneys are determined to find the best outcomes for our clients.

ADVICE AND COUNSEL FOR COLORADO EMPLOYMENT

Employment regulations are complex and can leave companies open to potential liability. We have more than 20 years of experience counseling businesses of all sizes—from startups to major public companies—and in multiple industries including retail, cannabis, energy, health care, technology, manufacturing, real estate, food and beverage, investment banking, business consulting and other services. We help clients prepare for legal challenges that can arise and provide sound advice in all areas, including:

• Interviewing and hiring practices, including drug testing and background checks

• New hire agreements

• Wrongful termination claims

• Wage and hour

• Employee discipline

• Independent contractors: classification issues; agreements

• Unemployment, including audits

• Avoiding and addressing discrimination and harassment in the workplace

• Paid leave and parental leave; vacation and time off policies

• Labor unions, collective bargaining, and other traditional labor issues

• Safety issues

• Employee privacy law

• Employee agreements, policies, and handbooks

Fortis partners with clients to determine the best policies and processes for each specific company or industry and assists businesses in setting up compliance programs aimed at eliminating potentially unlawful conduct. In addition, our team actively stays abreast of recent developments in employment law in Colorado, and offers client alerts and specialized seminars to help employers understand how to effectively implement new legal requirements into their policies and workplace culture.

EMPLOYMENT LAW DISPUTE RESOLUTION

The Fortis employment law team in Colorado has successfully negotiated, mediated, arbitrated, and resolved hundreds of disputes to keep our clients from going to court or facing regulatory sanctions. We help clients prepare workplace dispute resolution policies and navigate difficult issues that commonly arise in many areas, including:

• Compensation and wage disputes such as incorrect or unpaid wages, separation pay, pay equity, and overtime pay

• Leaves of absence that comply with Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, and state workers’ compensation statutes

• Disability discrimination

• Disciplinary actions and termination policies

• Sexual harassment

Fortis also has expertise conducting internal investigations to help companies uncover and report on potential violations of the law and has provided counsel and compliance solutions to those already facing government agency charges and investigations.

EMPLOYMENT LAW LITIGATION

Employers today face a minefield of complicated and ever-changing state and federal employment laws. Although we strive to help our clients find strategic alternatives to litigating, sometimes it cannot be avoided. Our employment litigation team in Colorado has extensive trial experience in both state and federal court defending employers against many different types of claims, including:

• Discrimination based on race, religion, ethnicity, age, marital status and sexual orientation

• Sexual harassment

• Retaliation

• Wrongful discharge

• Disability accommodation

• Wage and hour disputes

• Protection of company trade secrets

• Enforcement of non-compete agreements

The Fortis employment litigation team in Colorado stays up-to-date and informed on employment law cases around the country and new legal developments. Through early case assessment and a thorough understanding of our clients’ businesses and objectives, we identify and recommend litigation tactics and strategies that drive efficient and successful outcomes.

EMPLOYMENT LAW ARBITRATION

Fortis Law Partners co-founder, Chris Lamb, is certified as a labor & employment arbitrator by the American Arbitration Association® (AAA), the nation’s leading provider of alternative dispute resolution services. She serves on the AAA Panel of Labor & Employment Arbitrators and is available for selection to help arbitrate employment-related disputes throughout the country for those who wish to resolve conflicts out of court.