I read a tweet last night that really angered me.
I’ve spent my entire professional life representing companies in employment matters.
Defending lawsuits is one part of what I do.
In almost all cases, the employers I represented were not trying to discriminate. They were just trying to do the best they could to run their businesses.
Yet, I still triage all of my cases, advise my clients on risks, costs, and outcomes, recommend settlement when appropriate, and always zealously represent their interests, to trial if necessary.
I also conduct internal investigations that help stop harassers, discriminators, and retaliators.
I advise employers on how legally to fire, and not fire, employees.
I train managers and supervisors on how to follow the law.
I advocate for the adoption of policies that expand employers’ legal responsibilities—LGBT rights and paid sick and parental leave, for example.
While I’m a management-side lawyer, I never stop supporting what I think is just and right.
I’m damn proud of what I do for a living. To suggest anything else does a grave disservice to our profession.
On issues of civil rights and justice, we should ALL be fighting for the same team, period.
This post originally appeared on the Ohio Employer’s Law Blog, and was written by Jon Hyman, Partner, Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis. Jon can be reached at via email at jhyman@meyersroman.com, via telephone at 216-831-0042, on LinkedIn, and on Twitter.
