Michael J. Lingle

My focus

I represent clients in all types and through all phases of employment litigation, including wage-and-hour class and collective actions, individual discrimination matters, retirement plan issues, employment contracts, and whistleblower actions. Having spent a number of years representing individuals, I bring a unique perspective to the table on factors that could motivate employees to bring a lawsuit. I strive to use that perspective to head off issues before they result in litigation.

Additionally, I counsel and litigate on a wide variety of other employment matters, including discrimination, sexual harassment, Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and breach-of-contract claims.

Looking ahead

With the recent prevalence of remote work, the time is ripe for employers to revisit and refine their policies related to employees that work remotely, including recoding and monitoring working hours and productivity. The resurgence of union organizing activity also presents employers with an opportunity to reflect on their own employee relations and whether there are affirmative steps they want to take to improve or build on those relations.

Presentations

• “Update on Employment Law,” National Employment Lawyers Association Upstate Conference (Speaker)
• “Legal Issues in Employee Privacy,” National Business Institute (Speaker)
• “Arbitration of Claims Arising Out of Employment,” National Business Institute (Speaker)
• American Association of Workplace Investigators Conference (Speaker)