Vedder is an international business-focused law firm serving sophisticated clients of all sizes and industries from offices across the U.S. and in the UK and Asia.

A Business Focused Law Firm With a Global Reach | Vedder

Vedder is widely recognized as a leading labor and employment law firm, trusted by employers across industries to navigate today’s rapidly evolving workplace challenges. Our team of more than 50 labor and employment attorneys in offices throughout the US and London provides clients with accessible, experienced counsel backed by global reach and deep bench strength.

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We advise employers from Fortune 500 companies to emerging businesses on all stages of the employment lifecycle. Our team provides practical guidance on hiring and workforce management and delivers strategic advocacy when disputes arise.

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Our ability to anticipate risk and respond quickly with tailored solutions that support business goals is highly valued by our clients. We collaborate across practices to support transactions, manage workplace investigations and develop practical policies that stand up to scrutiny.

Through our membership in the Employment Law Alliance, we offer seamless support across jurisdictions worldwide. Regardless of the issue at hand, our focus remains the same: helping employers move with efficiency and confidence.

Several of our key areas of focus include:

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Employment Counseling

For decades clients have turned to Vedder attorneys to advise them on complex labor and employment matters impacting their day-to-day operations and long-term objectives. From selecting and interviewing applicants, managing employee performance and assisting with separation decisions, our attorneys facilitate consistency and fairness through pragmatic solutions while anticipating and mitigating legal risk. We help clients implement practices, policies and training that strengthen workforce management and ensure compliance with the web of complex employment laws and regulations impacting their businesses.

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Business Immigration

Vedder counsels international companies in all aspects of business-related immigration matters—from complying with various immigration laws to establishing processes and policies that can help manage exposure to civil and criminal enforcement. Our experienced attorneys assist with obtaining temporary or permanent immigration status for executive, managerial and professional employees, as well as with other immigration-related matters, such as I-9 audits. We also conduct due diligence and provide guidance related to immigration law in matters involving corporate changes, such as acquisitions, mergers, divestitures and reorganizations.

Employment Class &amp; Collective Action Defense

Vedder has an unparalleled track record for defending clients against class and collective action employment claims, and we offer our clients responsive, efficient service and creative legal defense strategies. We have successfully defended class and collective action cases in trial and appellate courts involving issues such as wage and hour claims, equal-pay claims, discrimination claims, accommodation issues and Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and breach-of-fiduciary duty claims.

Equal Employment Opportunity / Discrimination Law

Our attorneys counsel clients, large and small, in race, sex, age, disability, sexual harassment and other employment discrimination matters, including offering day-to-day counseling concerning discharge, discipline and other personnel actions with EEO implications. We further defend our clients against single-plaintiff and class action litigation alleging a panoply of EEO law violations.

Executive Compensation &amp; Employee Benefits

Vedder has one of the most experienced and sophisticated executive compensation and employee benefits practices in the nation. We advise public and private companies, boards of directors, compensation and search committees, CEOs and other senior executives and individuals in analyzing, designing and negotiating executive compensation and employment arrangements. We assist with the implementation of compensation agreements focused on the motivation and retention of key executives necessary for the profitable growth of a business. We advise public companies in meeting disclosure obligations and achieving successful “say-on-pay” votes. Our attorneys also work with clients to help them structure and administer their welfare plans, retirement plans and legacy benefits plans with consideration regarding the financial and HR implications, as well as the legal requirements.

Occupational Safety and Health Law

Vedder represents employers in navigating complex workplace safety and health matters under the Occupational Safety and Health Act and corresponding state laws. We work with organizations of all sizes and industries, including those in manufacturing, chemical/refinery, healthcare, retail/grocery, transportation/aviation and construction. We help clients manage regulatory obligations and mitigate risks and respond effectively to incidents that can disrupt operations and impact employees.

M&amp;A Transactions

As Vedder is a full-service firm with a robust corporate practice, and our team has extensive experience handling all aspects of labor, employment and employee benefits issues in the context of corporate transactions. Our top-flight team is regularly engaged to advise on 409A and 280G issues in the context of the purchase and sale of businesses, and we have particular experience in transactions involving unionized workforces and multiemployer and legacy benefit plan liabilities. Further, we routinely advise clients on the potential employment risks and exposure associated with business acquisitions. 

Restrictive Covenants &amp; Trade Secrets

Our attorneys are deeply experienced in counseling and litigation involving restrictive covenants and trade secrets in both the employment and sale-of-business contexts. We draft agreements for prospective, existing and departing employees and independent contractors, and in the purchase or sale of business context that are designed to protect our clients’ investments in their businesses; implement and update policies and procedures to safeguard valuable business and customer information; train employees on ways to best protect business assets; and negotiate prelitigation settlements of restrictive covenant and trade secret disputes. We act quickly in matters involving litigation or potential litigation and help clients take strategic and proactive steps to protect intellectual capital and trade secrets.

Traditional Labor

The traditional labor practice at Vedder is highly regarded and is one of the firm’s founding practice areas. Our team of highly skilled and experienced traditional labor attorneys counsels and represents clients of all sizes and across all industries in complex labor relations matters. We regularly assist our clients in negotiating initial and successor collective bargaining agreements, serving in either chief spokesperson or backroom support roles, and have successfully negotiated agreements with many of the largest and most powerful labor unions in the country. While our goal is always to reach agreements that fulfill our clients’ bargaining objectives with minimum disruption and expense, if and when it becomes necessary, we are ready to counsel our clients through work stoppages and provide effective strike support. We provide timely and knowledgeable contract administration assistance, including interpreting complex and/or ambiguous contract provisions, training managers and supervisors to operate effectively under the agreement, processing grievances and representing our clients’ interests in arbitration. We regularly appear before the National Labor Relations Board and state labor relations agencies to represent our clients in connection with unfair labor practice charges and union representation proceedings.

Wage and Hour and Pay Transparency Compliance and Defense

Vedder’s team works to ensure that our clients’ wage and hour policies and practices are compliant, including by conducting audits of those policies and practices as well as our clients’ record-keeping compliance efforts. Our wage and hour attorneys can assist you with the appropriate classification of employees as exempt or nonexempt, classification of independent contractors, overtime and minimum-wage compliance, wage and hour litigation defense, auditing of wage and hour policies and practices, and record-keeping compliance. We have significant experience successfully defending our clients against a variety of wage and hour claims, including those concerning minimum wage and overtime violations, misclassification allegations and violations specific to California law. We are also well versed in the ever-changing landscape of pay transparency and equity laws and assist our clients in ensuring that their pay practices are fair and defensible, and that their reporting of those practices (where required) is fulsome and accurate.

Workplace Audits

Our attorneys conduct privileged internal workplace audits in order to identify and resolve potential problem areas, ensure legal compliance and reduce litigation risk. The nature and scope of our audits are tailored to specific client needs and may include review of a variety of employment policies and practices such as recruiting and onboarding, job descriptions, employee handbooks and personnel policies and procedures, and leaves of absence policies and procedures.

Workplace Investigations

Our clients rely on us to conduct and advise on investigations designed to help determine the facts behind allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, financial wrongdoing and whistleblowing. Our investigations are tailored to address our clients’ needs and their obligations under the law. Where appropriate, we further make specific recommendations regarding how best to minimize potential exposure and improve workplace practices.

Workplace Training for Staff, Supervisors and Leadership

Our attorneys provide training to our clients’ staff and management teams that is curated to each client’s specific business and needs, including the following:

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Harassment, discrimination and retaliation

Effective and defensible employee evaluation, discipline and discharge practices

Labor relations, collective bargaining and union avoidance

Reductions in force (RIF) and WARN Act compliance

Disability accommodations, leaves of absence, and state and federal leave laws

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Explore the roots of our firm through the practice that started it all. In this video, Libby Hall, the Chair of our Labor and Employment Group highlights the team’s work, their deep experience across workplace issues, and the practical, client‑focused approach that continues to define the group today.

Labor and Employment

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Vedder Works Employment Law Series 2026

2023 New York Employment Roundtable

Rachel Easton to Present at EELA’s 25th Anniversary Conference

2023 DC Employment Roundtable

Amy L. Bess and Cara J. Ottenweller to Speak at PLI’s Employment Law Institute

National Labor Relations Board Updates Webinar

New California Employment Laws & Recent Developments Webinar

Vedder Price Attorneys to Participate in Chicago Bar Association Seminar Discussion

Amy L. Bess and Michelle T. Olson to Speak at PLI’s Workplace Accommodation and Leave Challenges

UK Employment & HR Webinar: Navigating 2024 – Developments to Plan and Prepare For

Vedder Works Employment Law Series Chicago, IL 2024

Vedder Works Employment Law Series Rosemont, IL 2024

2024 New York Employment Roundtable

Amy Bess to Speak at HR Leadership Forum Summer Series 2024

Hope Goldstein Speaks at Exhibition Services & Contractors Association 2024 Summer Educational Conference

UK Employment & HR Webinar: The Labour Government’s First 100 Days

2024 DC Employment Roundtable

Shareholders Amy Bess to Co-Chair and Cheryl Sabnis to Present at Employment Law Institute

Shareholders Amy Bess to Co-chair and Michelle Olson to Present at PLI’s Workplace Accommodation and Leave Challenges 2024 Conference

UK Employment and HR Webinar: Navigating 2025 Employment Law Changes

Vedder Works Employment Law Series Chicago, IL 2025

Vedder Works Employment Law Series Rosemont, IL 2025

2025 New York Employment Roundtable

2025 DC Employment Roundtable

2025 New California Employment Laws & Recent Developments Webinar

Cheryl Sabnis Quoted in The Wall Street Journal

Vedder Price Ranked by US News Best Lawyers 2024

Vedder Price Receives Recognition from The Legal 500

Vedder Price Selected for Inclusion in International Employment Lawyer Guide

Daniel Stander Comments on Workplace Menopause Support in Personnel Today

Twelve Vedder Price Practice Areas and 46 Attorneys Distinguished in The Legal 500 United States in 2023

Vedder Price Recognized in Chambers USA in 2023

Jonathan Maude Featured in People Management on AI Use in Businesses

Daniel Stander Comments on Toxic Workplaces in HR Grapevine

Jonathan Maude Featured in Employee Benefits Article “How to address a toxic workplace culture”

Alex C. Weinstein Joins Employment Law Alliance Podcast to Discuss Recent Attacks on Restrictive Covenants in the United States

Dana Armagno, Michelle Olson and Shelby Parnes Named to Crain’s Chicago Business’ Notable Women in Law List

Jonathan Maude Quoted in d&i Leaders Article “How can we support religion and belief at work?”

Daniel Stander featured in “Sexual harassment in City firms still ‘shockingly prevalent'” – Personnel Today

Jonathan Maude featured in People Management Magazine for his article “Post office Horizon IT inquiry: Lessons for Employers”

Daniel Stander Comments on Mental Health at Work as Featured in d&i Leaders

Amy L. Bess Recognized in Thomson Reuters 2024 Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers List

Candice Zee and Sheryl Skibbe Named in Los Angeles Business Journal Women of Influence: Attorneys 2024 List

Daniel Stander Quoted in “An employer’s guide to dealing with stress” on The Cover by MARKEL UK

Saisruthi Paspulati and Simone Riley Named to Super Lawyers: Rising Stars of California 2024

Candice T. Zee Named to Los Angeles Daily Journal’s Top Women in Law 2024 List

Daniel Stander Authors “Employment Law and the Metaverse: Square Peg, Round Hole?” as Featured in Future of Work

Jonathan Maude Quoted in HR Magazine

Michelle Olson and Ellen Hemminger Published in Employee Relations Law Journal, Autumn 2024

Vedder Price Expands Labor and Employment Practice with Addition of Shareholder James P. Looby

Daniel Stander Quoted in Personnel Today

FTC Rule Banning Non-Competes Held to Be Unlawful Agency Action and Set Aside

Daniel Stander Authors “How Businesses Can Minimise Stress and Demotivation in the Workplace” for People Management

Shareholder Cheryl Sabnis Quoted by KQED News

Ten Vedder Price Attorneys and Two Practice Groups Recognized in The Legal 500 UK 2025 Ranking

Rachel Easton Authors Article for People Management Magazine

Vedder Price Named to IEL Elite 2025

Daniel Stander Authors Article for HR Magazine: “How to promote safe workplace relationships”

Associate Daniel Stander Authors Article for Law360

Daniel Stander Quoted in Article from HR Grapevine

Eve Hoban Quoted in Article from D&I Leaders

Partner Jonathan Maude Quoted in Article from BCL Legal Recruitment

Vedder Price Immigration Compliance and Enforcement Rapid Response Team

Lauren Wertheimer Named to Board of Directors of the Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA) Counsel for Justice

Michelle Olson Featured in Illinois Bar Journal

Daniel Stander Authors “CV falsehoods: what HR can’t afford to miss” in People Management

James Looby Featured in Bloomberg Article

Vedder Price Expands Miami Office with  Addition of Labor and Employment Attorney Kimberley Lunetta

Labor and Employment Attorney Alexander Leonard Joins Expanding Vedder Price New York Office

Rachel Easton Authors Article on Changes to Statutory Unpaid Parental Leave in People Management

Vedder Price Adds Labor and Employment Attorney John Paul Guyette to New York Office

Vedder Price Practice Areas and Attorneys Recognized in The Legal 500 United States in 2025

Vedder Price Recognized in Chambers USA in 2025

Vedder Price Shareholders Cheryl Sabnis and Candice Zee Named Top Labor and Employment Lawyers by the Daily Journal

Daniel Stander Quoted in People Management: “How AI is helping jobseekers fake their way to the top”

EEOC and FTC Jointly Issue New Guidance Regarding Background Checks

2023 New York State And New York City Labor and Employment Law Roundup

Daniel Stander Authors “Supporting the Mental Health of a Hospitality Workforce” for CLH News

NLRB’s New Joint Employer Test Significantly Expands Circumstances Under Which Separate Entities Will Be Deemed Joint Employers

Chicago to Provide up to 10 Days of Paid Leave to Covered Employees

Jonathan Wexler Comments on New York City’s New Size Bias Law in Law360

Chicago Delays Implementation of and Amends Its Paid Time Off Ordinance

Cook County Employers Must Provide Paid Leave to All Employees Effective December 31, 2023

Daniel Stander Authors Article on Gender Washing in the UK Workplace

Daniel Stander Quoted in Personnel Today British Museum urged to review HR and management

Ringing in the New California Laws

Alex C. Weinstein Authors Article on the Intersection Between the NLRB’s Severance Agreement Guidance and Protection of Employer Confidential Information

The EEOC Provides Updated Technical Assistance to Employers for Recent Federal Changes to COVID-19 Order

Colorado Bill Amends Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and Clarifies Employer Obligations

Congress Focuses on Providing Further Support to Women in the Workplace

Illinois Poised to Require Disclosure of Pay Scale and Benefits in Job Postings

New Illinois Legislation to Make Using Temporary Labor Costlier and More Complicated

NLRB General Counsel Says Most Non-Competes are Illegal Under Labor Law

New York City’s New AI Bias Law

DOL Proposes Rule That Will Raise the Minimum Salary Threshold for Overtime Eligibility under the FLSA

Unionization Upon Demand: NLRB Announces Most Significant Change to Labor Law in 50 Years

A Rise in DSARs: Why Can Data Subject Access Requests Be Such a Burden to Deal With?

Seventh Circuit Clarifies that Employers May Be Obligated to Offer an Accommodation Relevant to an Employee’s Work Commute

Daniel Stander Authors “Is it time for obesity to become a protected characteristic?” in People Management

Employment

Insights & Events

Vedder Works Employment Law Series 2026

2026 New York Employment Roundtable

UK Employment Rights Act 2025 Micro Webinar Series Part 4

DOL Proposes New Joint Employer Rule Under Federal Wage and Leave Laws

Severance Agreement Scrutiny: Employer-Friendly Changes Still on the Horizon

2026 NLRB Enforcement Priorities: Key Changes for Employers

Ninth Circuit Reverses Lower Court Ruling Applying Collateral Estoppel to Preclude Arbitration in Putative Class and Collective Action

Virginia Extends Scope of Employee Non-Compete Ban

Vedder Works Employment Law Series Rosemont, IL 2026

Primary Contacts

Related Areas

Insights & Events

Vedder Works Employment Law Series 2026

2026 New York Employment Roundtable

UK Employment Rights Act 2025 Micro Webinar Series Part 4

DOL Proposes New Joint Employer Rule Under Federal Wage and Leave Laws

Severance Agreement Scrutiny: Employer-Friendly Changes Still on the Horizon

2026 NLRB Enforcement Priorities: Key Changes for Employers

Ninth Circuit Reverses Lower Court Ruling Applying Collateral Estoppel to Preclude Arbitration in Putative Class and Collective Action

Virginia Extends Scope of Employee Non-Compete Ban

Vedder Works Employment Law Series Rosemont, IL 2026

Primary Contacts

Related Areas

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