As an attorney, you rely on your staff, but HR issues with your staff can catch you off guard and when not handled properly, these issues can completely disrupt the successful delivery of service to your clients. Human Resource management is essential for every business, but in a small firm, the HR department is most likely just you. And like any business, firms must comply with federal and state labor laws on overtime, maternity leave, discrimination, etc. Unless you are a labor and employment law attorney, you may not be aware of all the requirements and best practices. This can result in inconsistent policy enforcement or inadequate documentation of performance issues, ultimately leading to some avoidable headaches.

In today’s episode hosts Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore welcome Kevin Johnson, an employment defense attorney, and Shareholder of Johnson Jackson, to discuss HR best practices for law firms.

Kevin Johnson graduated from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, and is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by The Florida Bar since 2007. For more than two decades, Kevin has represented and advised employers about laws that affect their relationships with employees, helped them solve problems when they arise, and defended them against discrimination charges and lawsuits filed by their employees. His clients range from national restaurant chains, retail employers, and large hospitals, to independent restaurants, medical practices, and other local employers. Kevin has experience litigating cases in jurisdictions throughout the United States, both in single-plaintiff cases and in nationwide class and collective actions. He has been recognized in the field of employment law by various publications, including Best Lawyers in America, Florida Trend, and Super Lawyers. Kevin is AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell. He has also been recognized by The Florida Bar for his involvement with promoting technology and practice-management education for Florida lawyers.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit including 1.0 hour of Labor and Employment Law CLE credit. Course # 8619.

REFERENCED RESOURCES:

Johnson Jackson PLLC

• Kevin D. Johnson

SHRM

• How Small-Business Owners Successfully Delegate HR [SHRM]

U.S. Department of Labor

• Family and Medical Leave Act [U.S. Department of Labor]
• Wages and the Fair Labor Standards Act [U.S. Department of Labor]
• Employee or Independent Contractor Classification [U.S. Department of Labor]

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 [U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission]
• What You Should Know About the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act [U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission]

Americans with Disabilities Act [U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division]

U.S. Department of Labor mandates two salary threshold increases for white collar FLSA exemptions and a mechanism for future automatic increases [Employment Law Watch]

LegalFuel: The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center