GableGotwals not only offers tremendous depth and breadth in labor and employment law, but we’re also the only Oklahoma firm with Human Resources and Compliance management experience, as well as agency enforcement experience.
We know HR.
GableGotwals is the only law firm in Oklahoma that has an attorney certified by SHRM as a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) and by HRCI as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). Our practice group leader served as Chief of the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office of Civil Rights Enforcement. This special blend of complementary experiences and perspectives gives us unique insight and judgment that adds significant value to our counsel and sets us apart from any other law firm. This allows us to spot costly risks and capitalize on valuable opportunities in ways other lawyers simply cannot.
Our labor and employment group represents employers in all aspects of employment and human resources law. We strive to provide the best, most effective, and efficient representation possible to meet the specific expectations and needs of each client. Many of our practice area attorneys have been recognized by Benchmark Litigation, Chambers & Partners, Oklahoma Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers in America for their work in employment law and employee benefits.
Employer Representation
Attorneys in this group regularly represent employers in such diverse areas as:
Services
- Counseling employers on a day-to-day basis with respect to employment-related issues, providing training to management and HR professionals, and otherwise working with employers to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations to avoid or minimize the risk of employment-related litigation, disputes or violations.
- Auditing, drafting, reviewing and updating employment contracts, policies, and handbooks, drug and alcohol testing policies, and various other types of policies and programs, to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations and to accomplish the specific needs of clients.
- Drafting documentation and providing assistance with respect to reductions-in-force, workplace investigations, terminations and other types of employment-related actions and programs to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Representing employers in the defense of investigations and charges before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Oklahoma Office of Civil Rights, Office of Federal Contract Compliance, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Department of Labor.
- Representing employers in the defense of litigation involving state and federal discrimination and equal employment opportunity laws of all types, including disputes alleging discrimination, harassment or retaliation on the basis of age, race, religion, gender, disability, national origin, sexual orientation or preference, and pregnancy, and other types of disputes alleging unlawful employment practices.
- Representing employers in the defense of claims alleging entitlement to unpaid wages or overtime and for other alleged violations of state and federal wage and hour laws.
- Representing employers in the defense of claims alleging violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), including claims for pension, severance, and other employment benefits, insurance and COBRA coverage and benefits, discrimination or retaliation, and other benefits-related disputes, as well as claims for alleged fiduciary violations or civil penalties.
- Representing employers in the defense of claims alleging breach of contract, wrongful termination, invasion of privacy, infliction of emotional distress, defamation, negligence, and other state law theories.
- Representing employers in arbitrations and other alternative dispute resolution proceedings arising from employment contracts, SRO regulations, and other regulations requiring dispute arbitration.
- Representing employers in the defense of class actions and putative class action alleging unlawful employment practices.
- Representing clients in disputes over trade secrets thefts, violations of non-compete or non-solicitation covenants, breaches of confidentiality agreements, and other unfair competitive practices.
- Representing employers in union organizing campaigns and elections, arbitrations of grievances, and unfair labor practice charges.
Our attorneys provide these and other types of services to a diverse group of Fortune 500 companies, regional employers, and small businesses. In each instance, our goal is to understand the needs of our client and to provide solid advice, find solutions, and resolve disputes in the manner that best and most efficiently meets the client’s specific needs.
HR Training & Education
GableGotwals is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities. We frequently provide employers, HR associations, city Chambers of Commerce, and multiple industry trade associations with HR training on a variety of topics such as:
Training Topics
- Legal traps in recruiting, selection, and hiring
- Americans with Disabilities Act
- Preventing harassment and discrimination
- Retaliation
- Mental health
- Family and Medical Leave Act
- Arbitration and risk management
- Diversity and inclusion
- Cybersecurity
- Medical marijuana
- FLSA and Equal Pay Act
A Different Perspective
What sets GableGotwals apart is a combination of legal excellence and real-world HR and enforcement experience that no other Oklahoma law firm can offer.
What Sets Us Apart
- HR-Certified Legal Insight — We are the only Oklahoma law firm with an attorney certified at the highest professional level in human resources (SHRM-SCP and SPHR). That means we don’t just interpret employment laws — we understand how HR decisions are made, implemented, and challenged in the real world.
- Former Enforcement Leadership — Our practice leadership includes former senior enforcement officials who led civil rights and employment investigations. We know how agencies like the EEOC and DOL evaluate cases, set priorities, and pursue violations — because we’ve been on the inside.
- Proactive, Practical Guidance — Clients rely on us to spot risk early, prevent problems before they escalate, and design workplace practices that are both compliant and workable — not just technically legal.
- Credibility with HR and Executives — Our advice resonates with HR professionals, in-house counsel, and executives alike because it aligns legal strategy with operational reality and business goals.
- Recognized Employment Law Excellence — Our attorneys are consistently recognized by Chambers & Partners, Best Lawyers, Benchmark Litigation, and Super Lawyers for leading employment law representation.
- More Than Outside Counsel — We partner with clients as strategic advisors, trainers, and problem solvers — bringing insight, judgment, and perspective that typical employment law firms simply cannot offer.
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