Employment & Benefits
Often our employment attorneys are seen as an extension of the client’s human resources department.
Often our employment attorneys are seen an extension of the client’s human resources department. That’s because our team understand the complexities of the employer-employee relationship and is equipped with practical, applicable solutions. Ruder Ware exclusively represents the employer in both the public and private sector. We routinely work with clients on highly sensitive issues such as workplace harassment, employee privacy, employee compensation, drug and alcohol testing, and disciplinary issues. In addition, our attorneys design and assist with the development, implementation, and enforcement of policies and procedures relating to benefits, hiring practices, employee handbooks, state and federal discrimination laws, FMLA, FLSA, ADA, OSHA, and workers’ compensation.
Our attorneys are actively involved in organizations where human resource professionals as the primary member base. Often they present seminars and in-house training on employment law topics across the state and nationwide.
With decades of experience working with human resource professionals, Ruder Ware has created an audit program to proactively identify potential problems in an employer’s human resource operations. The audit reviews and analyzes current employee-related policies and procedures. For additional detail, follow this link for a complete program description.
Services offered by our Employment Benefits team include:
- Employee Benefits & Compensation Planning
- Employment Contracts & Independent Contractor Agreements
- Employment Discrimination & Sexual Harassment Litigation
- Employment-Related Lawsuits
- Executive Compensation
- Handbook Policy Development & Audits
- Human Resources Counseling Internal Investigations
- Wage & Hour Audits and Litigation Defense
- Workplace Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination Training
While our approach is proactive, employment issues are often complex. Our employment litigation team has represented clients before federal and state courts, at both the trial and appellate level, as well as before state and federal administrative agencies.
Founded in 1920, Ruder Ware provides business, employment, estate planning, and litigation services. A full-service law firm, over 45 attorneys provide clients with a one-stop approach to their legal needs. Ruder Ware, Business Attorneys for Business Success.
Posted on December 19, 2024 by Mary Ellen Schill
The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2025 optional standard mileage rates today for computing the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical, or moving purposes. The most notable change is the per mile increase for business use mileage. Effective January 1, 2025, the optional standard mileage rates for the use of a […]
Posted on November 15, 2024 by Nicole L. Stangl and Morgan H. Sweeney
Friday afternoon, a federal judge in Texas struck down the Department of Labor’s (“Department’s”) overtime rule (“Overtime Rule”) finding that the Overtime Rule exceeded the Department’s authority and was unlawful. In the Opinion, the court issued a vacatur which sets aside the rule and makes it no longer binding. This vacatur of the Overtime Rule […]
Posted on November 1, 2024 by Mary Ellen Schill
On November 1, 2024 the Internal Revenue Service announced the cost-of-living adjustments for the various qualified retirement plan limits. Almost all of the limits shown below have increased from last year. Qualified Plan Limit Cost-of-Living Adjustments 401(k) and 403(b) elective deferral limit 2024 – $23,000 2025 – $23,500 $200,000 compensation limit 2024 – $345,000 […]
Posted on October 18, 2024 by Sara J. Ackermann, Mary Ellen Schill, Nicole L. Stangl and Morgan H. Sweeney
As you know, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) previously issued a rule that would ban most employee noncompetes throughout the United States. See our previous updates NLRB Seeks Aggressive Enforcement Against Employers for Unlawful Non-Compete and “Stay-or-Pay” Provisions, Breaking News: Federal Court Halts FTC Noncompete Ban, The FTC’s Ban on Noncompetes Remains Imminent for Most […]
Posted on October 9, 2024 by Morgan H. Sweeney
Even after a Federal District Court judge in Texas struck down the looming FTC Ban on non-competes this past August, non-competes are still a hot topic in labor news. On Monday, Jennifer Abruzzo, the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) General Counsel, issued a memo expanding on her May 2023 memo. The latest memo not only […]
Posted on August 20, 2024 by Sara J. Ackermann, Mary Ellen Schill, Nicole L. Stangl and Morgan H. Sweeney
Today, a federal court judge in Dallas, Texas, ruled the Federal Trade Commission went too far in issuing its nationwide noncompete ban that was set to become effective September 4, 2024. We anticipate the FTC will appeal and will update you as we know more. In the meantime, do not hesitate to contact the Employment […]
Posted on July 8, 2024 by Sara J. Ackermann, Nicole L. Stangl and Morgan H. Sweeney
On July 3, 2024, a federal judge in Texas granted a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit challenging the FTC’s noncompete ban. Notably, the injunction only applies to those plaintiffs named in the suit. All other employers will still need to comply with the noncompete ban when it takes effect in September. A final decision on […]
Posted on July 2, 2024 by Sara J. Ackermann and Nicole L. Stangl
Late Monday afternoon, a federal judge in Texas denied a marketing firm’s motion for a preliminary injunction to halt the DOL’s new overtime rule. This denial affirms that, for now, employers, other than the State of Texas, must comply with the DOL’s new overtime rule which went into effect Monday, July 1, 2024. As each […]
Posted on July 1, 2024 by Sara J. Ackermann and Nicole L. Stangl
This past Friday, a Texas federal judge granted a preliminary injunction for the State of Texas, postponing the effective date of the Department of Labor’s new overtime rule. Currently, the injunction is limited only to State of Texas employees. All other employers must still comply with the final rule which went into effect today, July […]
Posted on May 9, 2024 by Mary Ellen Schill
On May 9, 2024, the IRS announced the Health Savings Account limits for 2025. With respect to contribution limits, the limits are higher than the ones for 2024 and the required deductible and out-of-pocket maximums have increased as well. As a reminder, these inflation adjusted amounts are effective for calendar year 2025. HSA/HDHP Requirement Cost-of-Living […]
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