Howard S. Lavin concentrates in employment and labor law matters. He has represented employers in federal and state court litigation, administrative hearings, arbitrations, collective bargaining negotiations, and wage and hour proceedings and audits. Mr. Lavin assists employers in developing personnel policies and procedures and, in the case of several clients, has created a virtual human resources department. He provides advice and counsel regarding discipline and discharge issues, discrimination claims, diversity, drug testing and telephone monitoring. While his practice is varied, Mr. Lavin has particular expertise in employment litigation, conducting downsizings, wage and hour matters, and the labor and employment ramifications of mergers, acquisitions and similar transactions.

Mr. Lavin’s clients include hospitals, health maintenance organizations, investment banks, manufacturers, advertising agencies and warehouse and distribution companies. He regularly conducts management and supervisor training seminars on topics such as sexual harassment, employment discrimination and union avoidance.

Mr. Lavin also has lectured extensively on a variety of labor and employment law topics for labor lawyers and human resource specialists.

Memberships

Member and Lecturer, Labor and Employment Section, New York State Bar Association

Activities

Author, Vail v. Raybestos: Seventh Circuit Supports ‘Honest Suspicion’ Defense, EmploymentLaw360, November 14, 2008-- column co-authored by Special Counsel Elizabeth E. DiMichele

Author, Split Circuits: Does Charging Party’s Receipt of a Right-To-Sue Letter and Commencement of a Lawsuit Divest the EEOC of its Investigative Authority over That Charge? Employee Relations Law Journal, Winter 2008--column co-authored by Special Counsel Elizabeth E. DiMichele

Author, Employee Or Independent Contractor: A Distinction With A Difference, Human Resources 2008 - Winter Edition, Thompson Book Chapter chapter co-authored by Special Counsel Elizabeth DiMichele

Author, "Split Circuits: Are Employers Required to Credit Pre-PDA Pregnancy Leaves When Calculating Retirement Benefits?" Employee Relations Law Journal, Fall 2008--column co-authored by Special Counsel Elizabeth E. DiMichele

Presenter, "US Supreme Court Update," Hartford Financial Products, Inc.: Lunch and Learn CLE, July 29, 2008

Author, Split Circuits: Can Unions Waive Members’ Rights to a Judicial Forum? Employee Relations Law Journal, Summer 2008--column co-authored by Special Counsel Elizabeth E. DiMichele

Author, NLRB Upholds Employer’s E-Mail Policy Prohibiting ‘Non-Job-Related’ Solicitations,Stroock Employment Law Group Special Bulletin, February 2008-- co-authored by Special Counsel Elizabeth E. DiMichele and Associate Jaime L. Wasserstrom

Author, "D.C. Circuit Rules Overboard Workplace Policies Unlawful Even Absent An Express Prohibition of Protected Workplace Discussions or Evidence of Enforcement," Employment Law Strategist, November 2007 co-authored by Special Counsel Elizabeth DiMichele

Author, Workplace Roundup, Employee Relations Law Journal, August 2007 column co-authored by Special Counsel Elizabeth DiMichele

Author, A Recipe for Disaster, Santé Magazine, May 2005;

Speaker, Investigating Discrimination and Harassment Claims, New York Guard Continuing Legal Education Series, April 27, 2005;

Speaker, Recent Developments Under the ADA, HR/NY Solutions Conference 2005, April 13, 2005;

Speaker, Recent Cases and Developments in Gender Discrimination, Stroock Employment Law Conference, December 7, 2004;

Speaker, Hiring Do’s and Don’ts, Myriad Restaurant Group’s How to Open a Restaurant and Make It Last, October 2004 and April 2003;

Speaker, Redefining Exempt Status under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Stroock Employment Law Seminar, June 23, 2004;

Speaker, Recent Issues under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Stroock Employment Law Seminar, April 7, 2004;

Speaker, Employment Law Do’s and Don’ts: A Practical Guide, Bergen County Medical Society of Otolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeons, October 14, 2003;

Participant, 2003 Legal Roundtable, Center for Hospitality Research, Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, May 4, 2003;

Speaker,Annual Legal Update: Walking the Tightrope, Human Resources Association of New York, January 15, 2003;

Speaker, U.S. Discrimination Laws and Conducting Restructuring/Downsizings, Fuji Photo Film USA Continuing Legal Education Seminar, August 16, 2002;

Speaker, Internal Investigations and E-Mail Policies, New York Insurance Association, June 1, 2001;

Author, Sexual Harassment: The New Rules, New York Law Journal, January 6, 1999;

Speaker, General Releases: A 10-Step Compliance Guide, Right Associates’ Legal Brief, July 29, 1998;

Speaker, Supervisor’s Guide: Investigating and Litigating Employment Discrimination Claims: Substituting Fairness for Intent, Automobile Insurance Plan General Manager’s Conference, April 24, 1997;

Speaker, Extraterritorial Application of U.S. Discrimination Laws to U.S. Citizens Working Abroad and to Foreign Employers Inside the U.S., Stroock Latin American and U.K. Employment Law Conference, July 23, 1997;

Speaker, Labor and Employment Law for the Corporate Counselor and General Practitioner, New York State Bar Association, May 13, 1994;

Speaker, Current Issues in Human Resources Law: Striking the Employer/Employee Rights Balance, New York Chamber of Commerce, February, 1993;

Speaker, Workplace Drug Testing in New York, Queens Chamber of Commerce, March, 1990

Admitted to Practice

New York, 1983

U.S. District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts, 1983

Education

J.D., Emory University School of Law, 1982

B.S., Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations, 1979