Covington & Burling LLP | Practices, Industries & Regions

We handle a wide variety of employment litigation matters ranging from class actions to individual wrongful termination suits. These matters often include claims of discrimination based on race, gender, age, and other prohibited forms of discrimination as well as challenges to an employer’s classification of employees as exempt for overtime purposes.

All the partners who work in the employment/executive dispute area have successful track records in winning jury trials. In addition, cognizant of many clients’ desire to avoid the expense and uncertainty of trial, we have repeatedly demonstrated our expertise in achieving favorable outcomes through summary judgment or using discovery to position cases for modest or affordable settlements.

In addition, we represent corporations, partnerships and senior executives in sophisticated employment negotiations and disputes. Our experience includes the scope and enforceability of non-competition and non-solicitation agreements; the use of trade secrets and other confidential information; interference with business relations; and entitlement to bonuses, golden parachutes and other compensation.

Representative Matters

Won a jury trial for a major credit card firm defending claims based on race and national origin discrimination, and obtained an award of $265,000 in attorneys’ fees against the law firm of plaintiff’s counsel.
Handling defense of nationwide class action alleging race discrimination against a major financial services firm.
Obtained summary judgment for a large pharmaceutical company in a gender discrimination and wrongful termination case and also prevailed on the client’s counterclaim against the plaintiff.
Conducted nationwide audit and recommended systemic reforms of anti-harassment policies and practices of manufacturing, sales, and distribution components of an international auto company.
Defeated $20 million in claims by two former senior brokers against an investment bank in a 26-session arbitration.
Won a significant jury verdict for the terminated president of a medical technology firm as well as 15% of the former employer’s stock.
Obtained injunctive relief against a former company officer concerning use or dissemination of documents downloaded from the company’s computer system.