Contact Info
T: (915) 546-8297
F: (915) 546-8333

• Preventive Advice and Training

Because the best way to handle employment litigation is to avoid it altogether, a substantial portion of Ms. Marin's practice is devoted to helping our clients proactively approach employee issues in ways that minimize legal risks and maximize effectiveness. Her proactive approach to employee relations focuses on developing legally sound policies and practices which minimize her clients' exposure to potential employee complaints, government agency actions, and union-related problems, and assisting her clients in implementing and enforcing those policies fairly and consistently. For example, she reviews and/or develops clients' employee handbooks and supervisory policy manuals. More importantly, she provides day-to-day advice to clients and reviews disciplinary decisions and documents before they are issued, in order to establish a basis for a strong defense before a claim is filed. Because most lawsuits result from management's poor communication or handling of employee issues, she also provides management training related to a wide range of policy matters (for additional detail, see Labor & Employment practice page).

• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Practice, Including Arbitration
  
With the potential risks associated with jury trials, particularly in a border region with a history of high employment-related verdicts in favor of plaintiffs, more and more parties are looking to alternative dispute resolution techniques to resolve employment disputes. Ms. Marin is experienced in all forms of ADR and routinely uses arbitration, mediation, and other settlement procedures to obtain favorable results for clients in matters ranging from individual EEOC charges to lawsuits. Ms. Marin routinely advises clients on the legal and practical issues surrounding pre-dispute arbitration agreements and employer-promulgated ADR programs. She advises clients on the advantages and disadvantages of such programs and, where appropriate, assists in the development and implementation of arbitration agreements and programs tailored to the client's needs.

• Sales, Mergers and Acquisitions; Plant Closings; Reductions in Force
  
Ms. Marin counsels employers on the many labor and personnel issues which arise with respect to both organized and unorganized employees in the event of transfers of corporate ownership, plant closings, and reductions in force. This includes compliance with the Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification Act (W.A.R.N.). She also advises employers on their efforts to re-organize, downsize, and conduct lay-offs in response to the ever-changing economy.

• Traditional Labor Practice
  
Ms. Marin represents employers in the full spectrum of traditional labor law issues. She counsels non-union clients on how to remain union free, and she represents clients in union organizing campaigns and unfair labor practice cases. She represents clients in collective bargaining, advises clients on contract interpretation and employee grievance issues, and represents clients in arbitration proceedings pursuant to their collective bargaining agreements. She also trains management employees in different aspects of traditional labor issues, including avoiding unionization. She has appeared before the National Labor Relations Board and successfully defended various claims in that arena.

• Restrictive Covenants, Trade Secrets and Non-Competition Agreements
  
Ms. Marin regularly prepares agreements to prevent employees and potential employees from revealing confidential, proprietary information or competing with the employer during or after their employment. She also trains management on presenting these agreements to employees with the least amount of disruption to the business and routinely assists employers in implementing these agreements to ensure their enforceability.