Labor & Employment

Led by partner John Shunk, our Labor & Employment Practice Group works with clients of all sizes and in a variety of industries to navigate the maze of labor and employment law issues. We work with clients to develop preventive practices and procedures to minimize risks, resolve disputes, and effectively structure related business matters. We also represent our clients in traditional labor law matters.

We work closely with our clients to ensure compliance with the law and avoid litigation. We craft policies, practices and procedures to achieve business objectives in a cost-effective manner. Our goal is to develop custom employment practices that provide for ease of administration, business success, and maximized employee performance. We further develop education and compliance tools and training programs for implementing those practices. As part of our preventive practices, we conduct internal audits and workplace investigations to reduce litigation risks. And we are available to our clients on a daily basis to answer routine questions and assist with personnel matters.

When litigation arises, we offer experienced, effective, efficient legal assistance. Our attorneys have substantial experience defending employers in every state and federal forum in which labor and employment law claims are adjudicated.

Messner & Reeves also assists employers when traditional labor law matters arise. We have represented clients in proceedings under collective bargaining agreements, union organizing campaigns, and collective bargaining negotiations. We have also been involved in advising clients in matters relating to concerted employee activity, union recognition and bargaining, and other issues related to employer-union relations.

In addition to representation of management in employment and labor disputes, we also represent clients in related business planning and litigation. We litigate such matters as employment contracts, trade secrets, unfair competition and covenants not to compete. We also work with the attorneys in the firm's other practice groups when, as often happens, compensation and benefit issues arise in connection with their practices. We work with executives on structuring and negotiating compensation and severance packages.

Preventive Practices/Compliance Counseling
Among other things, our practice focuses on the following aspects of labor & employment law:

- Effective Handling of Performance and Discipline Problems
- Management Training
- Employer Handbooks and Policies
- Compliance Audits
- Workplace Investigations
- Personnel Reductions and Workforce Restructurings
- Workers' Compensation
- Management of Disability, Illness and Injury Issues
- Workplace Safety
- Personnel Audits


Related Business Matters
- Privacy Issues
- Executive Compensation
- Separation/Severance Packages
- Unfair Competition and Trade Secrets
- Covenants Not to Compete
- Nonsolicitation and Confidentiality

Defending Our Clients
We defend our clients before administrative boards in state and federal courts with respect to all federal employment and labor laws as well as corresponding state and local laws and regulations. Recently, our activities on behalf of clients have focused on the following areas of our practice:

- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
- Age Discrimination in Employment Act
- Americans with Disabilities Act
- Family and Medical Leave Act
- Fair Labor Standards Act
- Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act
- Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)
- Employee Free Choice Act
- Colorado Anti-Discrimination in Employment Act
- Colorado Wage Claims Act

Restaurant Law
Messner & Reeves, LLC focuses on serving the needs of all kinds of entrepreneurs, and Denver's restaurateurs are leaders in building jobs and culture in the Mile High City and beyond.  Attorneys at Messner & Reeves have had the privilege of working with many different restaurants in Denver - some large, some small, but all committed to excellence.