Employment

It’s Not Just “a Job” – It’s Your Job

Too many times, employers, courts, and politicians – and even other lawyers – don’t care how it feels when a person is unfairly separated from their employment – especially if they’ve worked there for any length of time.

But the loss of a job can be devastating. It affects not only you, as the employee, but also your family, your friends, your finances, your future, and maybe your own self-esteem. There’s a feeling of loss of control and fear for what may come. You may be asking yourself questions like, “What did I do wrong?” “How can they get away with that?” “Where can I go from here?” “What if my employer gives me bad references in the future?” And so on.

We Can Help

At Thompson & Bishop we understand the situation and can help provide a solution. Since 1992 we have fought for persons and employees harmed by corporate and government wrongdoers. We serve not only as lawyers and advisors, but also as counselors to help you through difficult and often life-altering changes in your circumstances. This is why our attorneys might suggest meeting with your family initially, as well as you.

Below is a list of services and ways in which we may be able to help. Please be sure to read About the Employment Legal Process. And, if you need something out of our area of expertise, we can help direct you to someone who can help.

If you are a member of a municipal safety force and have questions or concerns about promotional testing and disparate impact, check out our Safety Forces Resources page, featuring information about disparate impact, litigation, guest columnists (Fireside Chat and Fuzz Buzz), and more.

About Our Firm

Founding partner Dennis R. Thompson is an OSBA-Certified Specialist in Labor and Employment Law and was among the first group to be so specialized in the State of Ohio. Dennis’ Biography. He is a seasoned litigator and has teamed with attorney Christy B. Bishop for dozens of successful trials, as well as negotiating large-sum settlements for employees. Firm Successes.

You can see Dennis in action (deposition cross examination) by clicking on a client website, http://www.pleban.org; click on "DEFENDANTS." The website is an excellent resource to show you how pre-trial litigation works. (Tapes take a minute or so to access.) You also can read About the Employment Legal Process, which will give you a great deal of insight on what to expect if you hire a lawyer to represent you.

Partner Christy B. Bishop has extensive trial, writing, and appellate experience and has argued cases in state and federal appellate courts, as well as trial courts. Christy’s Biography. Together, she and Dennis have teamed to bring dozens of cases to successful verdicts, appeals, and settlements. Firm Successes. Christy’s areas of focus include: Employment Discrimination; Harassment; Retaliation; Wrongful Discharge; Constitutional issues, including First Amendment, Equal Protection and Due Process; Public Records and FOIA (employees and alien workers); Appellate Advocacy and Argument; and Employment and Immigration Law Reform.

We serve employees, alien workers, and (for compliance purposes) businesses across Ohio, including, but not limited to, Akron, Cleveland, Canton, Youngstown, Toledo, Columbus; Counties of: Summit, Cuyahoga, Stark, Portage, Medina, Lorain, Mahoning, Erie, Huron, Wayne, Holmes, Franklin, Jefferson, Tuscarawas, Franklin, Hamilton.

We provide coverage of federal district courts in Northern and Southern federal districts of Ohio, as well as nationwide. Thompson & Bishop General Fee Structure.

As part of our Employment Trade/Customs/Immigration Compliance practice, we serve companies in the Mid-Atlantic/Great Lakes area. See Links/Resources.

AREAS OF PRACTICE - EMPLOYMENT

For the Employee - Litigation, Administrative, Negotiation

Employment Discrimination
Race Discrimination
Disparate Impact
National Origin Discrimination
Sex Discrimination
Equal Pay Act
Age Discrimination
Disability Discrimination
Failure to Promote
Retaliation
Harassment
Sexual Harassment
Racial Harassment
Retaliatory Harassment
Hostile Environment
Wrongful Discharge
Whistleblower
Family Medical Leave Act
Overtime
Minimum Fair Wage
Fair Labor Standards Act
Commissions & Benefits
Public-Sector Employment Litigation
First Amendment
Equal Protection
Due Process
Public Records & Freedom of Information Act
Class & Collective Actions
OCRC/EEOC Representation
Unemployment Hearings & Appeals
Breach of Contract
Breach of Implied Contract
Contract Negotiation
Non-Compete Contracts
Severance Packages
Compensation Packages
Union Duty of Fair Representation
Privacy in Employment
Appeals - State & Federal
Counseling Regarding Employment Rights
Ongoing Representation Through Employment Crises

For the Non-Immigrant Employee or Student

Non-Immigrant Visas
F Visas
H1 Visas
TN Visas (NAFTA, CAFTA)
Labor Certifications
Immigration Discrimination
Employment Authorizations
Deportation/Removal
Employer Compliance
Administrative Proceedings
Board of Immigration Appeals
Circuit Court Appeals

For the Small Employer - H.R. Adjunct Services/Legal Compliance

Legal Representation at Administrative and Court Proceedings
Counseling Regarding Employer Safeguards and Protections
Independent Investigation of Internal Harassment Complaints/Charges
Establishment of Fair Employment Policies and Procedures
Outside Counseling of Management on Sensitive Employment Areas
Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Other Claims
Policy/Procedure/Handbook Development using the Latest Law
Seminars and On-Site Training in Employment Matters
Alien Worker Compliance & Sponsorship
Compliance with Customs, Immigration & Trade Laws(ICE, etc.)
NAFTA
CAFTA

Jurisdiction/Forums

United States Supreme Court
United States Court of International Trade
United States Department of Labor
United States Courts of Appeals
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Office of Fed. Contract Compliance
Occupational Safety & Health Administration
Merit Systems Protection Board
Board of Immigration Appeals
United States Customs and Immigration Service
United States Immigration & Customs Enforcement
United States Customs & Border Protection
Ohio Supreme Court
Ohio County and District Courts
Ohio Civil Rights Commission
Ohio State Personnel Board of Review
Ohio Unemployment Review Comm.
Ohio State Teachers Retirement System