-- Practice/Services --Administrative AgenciesAlaska Native MattersBreach of Trust and Government MismanagementBusiness Law, Economic Development and Corporate CounselingChild WelfareConstruction and TransportationElection and Campaign LawEmployment LawEnvironmental LawGamingGeneral CounselHealth LawHousingHunting and Fishing RightsJurisdictional and Tribal Sovereignty IssuesLand ClaimsLegislative and LobbyingLitigation: Trial, Appellate and Supreme CourtNatural Resource DevelopmentSelf-Determination and Self-GovernanceTax LawTribal CodesTrust Land AcquisitionsWater Rights

For many years a part of our practice has been advising tribes, tribal organizations, native corporations, and health care entities in the area of employment law. Our work has involved "preventative maintenance" to help clients avoid litigation, day-to-day guidance on a wide range of employment matters, and, when necessary, litigation before agencies and courts. We provide our clients with expertise in the numerous federal and state laws that may affect tribal employers. Our firm's extensive knowledge of Indian law provides a particular advantage in navigating employment law issues for our tribal as well as corporate clients. For example, in Aloysius v. Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp., E.E.O.C. No. 380-88-0792 (Seattle Dist. Apr. 15, 1988), we successfully argued that Alaska Native nonprofit health care and social service providers enjoy the tribal employer exemption under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Part of our employment practice involves helping our clients implement sound human resource practices designed to prevent employment problems. We draft many of our clients' Employee Handbooks, personnel policies and procedures, tribal employment rights (TERO) ordinances, and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliance materials. We advise our clients on changes in employment laws and assist them in making changes to their employment practices as necessary.

Our work also includes day-to-day advice on legal questions concerning all aspects of employment law, ranging from requests for accommodation or medical leave to workplace violence or harassment concerns. We participate as needed in performance reviews and changes to a worker's employment status, such as termination. We also draft many of our clients' employment contracts with their executive-level employees.

Our employment practice also involves litigation prevention, and, when necessary, litigation over employment matters. When problems or disputes with employees arise, we provide guidance on and help facilitate workplace investigations. Our work has involved defending our clients against claims ranging from discrimination to wrongful discharge and breach of contract. We have represented clients in front of state and federal agencies, as well as in tribal court.