Firm News
NEWS 12 Covers Newsday Discrimination Case
2013
Louis D Stober Named One of Top Four Legal Eagles on Long Island for 2013
2011
First Amendment
Stober wins $2 million for County violation of Constitutional Rights
2011
2011 has seen many substantial victories despite the worst economic climate in decades. In bad times employers are faced with many pressing issues, how they handle those issues will determine whether someone has a claim or not. In 2011 numerous gender, age, pregnancy, race and national origin cases were filed and substantial victories and settlements won. The $2 million dollar jury verdict against Nassau County for its violations of the First Amendment Freedom of Association rights of a County employee (including $500,000 in punitive damages against the Department Head who engaged in the prohibited actions) serves notice that this firm can and will bring corruption to the bright light of day. This verdict came on the heels of the verdict worth over one million dollars against the very same Nassau County for laying off an employee in bad faith based upon her political affiliation. Our verdict against Newsday for disability discrimination after a three week trial proved that employers who discriminate will be brought to justice. Actively and aggressively pursued, substantial damages were obtained in many of the firm’s cases in 2011. The firm obtained many settlements in 2011 in excess of $100,000 each and we expect even more victories in 2012. Fair Labor Standards Act minimum wage and overtime suits, Sarbanes-Oxley suits and several large damage personal injury and contract cases have all been filed and substantial verdicts are expected. We are always interested in new cases so contact our office for experienced, skilled discrimination attorneys.
Whistleblowers take note! The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has changed the landscape of at-will employment. The Act was created to “protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures made pursuant to the securities laws, and for other purposes.”(preamble to the Act). To accomplish that goal, Chapter 73 of title 18 of the US Code was amended by adding 1514A(a) entitled “Whistleblower Protection For Employees of Publicly Traded Companies”.
Basically, this statute protects employees, officers, contractors, subcontractors or agents of companies with publicly traded stock from adverse employment action and discrimination, including termination, if said individual has provided information or assisted in an investigation or testified regarding any conduct that the individual reasonably believes constitutes a violation of certain laws, rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any Federal law relating to fraud against shareholders. The information, testimony or assistance must be to either: “(A) a Federal regulatory or law enforcement agency; (B) any Member of Congress or any committee of Congress; or (C) a person with supervisory authority over the employee.”
If you believe you have been discriminated against or have had adverse employment action taken against you in violation of Sarbanes-Oxley, you must act immediately as there is only a 90 day statute of limitations to file a complaint with the Secretary of Labor through the OSHA Area Director responsible for enforcement activities in the geographical area where you reside or were employed. Thereafter, an investigation will be conducted. If the Secretary has not issued a final decision within 180 days of the filing of the Complaint, you may be entitled to bring suit in Federal District Court.
Since there is a very short statute of limitations involved in filing a complaint it is important that you contact us immediately. In 2006 our cases have been reported in the Wall Street Journal and substantial victories have been recorded. Sarbanes Oxley is a complex statute with many subplots devised to trap the unwary. You need an experienced attorney who can unravel the maze and protect your rights. Don’t wait until you are the victim of a malicious employer, contact us now. For example, if you work in the financial world, you may have already signed away your right to a jury trial if you become the victim of whistleblower retaliation. Find out how to protect your rights.
Health Care Industry Whistleblowers have new, powerful protections. Section 741 of the Labor Law, has been enacted specifically to protect employees in the health care industry, ranging from hospitals, nursing homes and even the local doctor or dentist office. If an employee in a covered health care area suffers adverse employment action for reporting or bringing to their employer’s attention actions, practices or incidents that they reasonably believe is illegal, they can bring an action to obtain reinstatement, lost wages and damages. If you believe you are the victim of whistleblower activity or are concerned with your rights should you “blow the whistle”, call us today to learn your rights.
Our personal injury cases continue to grow tremendously. If you have been injured you need an attorney who will give your case the attention needed to vindicate your rights. Contact us for a free consultation on your personal injury matter so we can work to secure the maximum benefit for you and your loved ones. Remember, there may be a very short statute of limitations involved so do not delay in seeing an attorney who can advise you of your rights.
On the Union front, we continue to expand as we now represent over 100,000 members and growing. We represent virtually every category of public sector employee in almost every municipality in Nassau County including State and Federal employees. We have now expanded to the entire Hudson Valley and Suffolk County as well. Actively negotiating many Collective Bargaining Agreements, we continue to define the tone and temperament of labor relations on Long Island and New York. Tough times call for tough negotiations and the political and economic climate we face have caused both sides to become more creative in reaching new contracts.
Peruse the Newsletter section, there are many articles posted describing our wins in numerous areas of Labor Law. The Verdicts and Settlements Section highlights some of our wins with many more cases being added regularly.
Real Estate and Short Sales continue to grow.
With the recent federal laws providing some relief for those victimized by the sub-prime fiasco, you need an attorney who can help you through the maze of red-tape. Our attorneys can help so give a call to speak to an experienced real estate attorney today.
With home purchases and refinances occurring more and more frequently, a large number of sellers and buyers contact us to provide the very best in representation. With the end of the real estate bubble in many communities, home owners are finding a choking mixture of rising interest rates, rising taxes and lowered home prices. Contact our office to find out how we can re-negotiate your mortgage to help you obtain monetary relief. Join the numerous satisfied clients by calling us with your real estate needs.
Matrimonial and Estates continue to represent an ever growing segment of the firm’s business. If you are involved in a matrimonial dispute, you need to know your rights and responsibilities. Contacting the Law Offices of Louis D. Stober, Jr. early is an important step to protecting your property and assets. If a loved one has passed away, it is critical that you contact our office to ensure probate is quickly obtained so that assets are protected and legacies are distributed. Even more important than probating the estate of a loved one is protecting your assets while you are alive. Prudent estate planning today can be your best weapon from the hand of government, creditors and others from taking your hard earned assets from your heirs. Call us to set up your “estate tuneup” and leave more of your estate to your heirs rather than the government.
The success of our Prepaid Legal Plan with the CSEA has led us to now offer Prepaid Plans to all Unions interested in obtaining a fantastic benefit for their members. We welcome all Unions and encourage them to contact us so we can provide an unsurpassed level of legal benefits for their members.
With our We Come to You program, unions throughout Long Island and Westchester can reap the rewards of enhanced member benefits. Our attorneys will come to your union office or worksite to prepare wills, living wills, health care proxies, powers of attorney and other legal documents for your members.
Contact our offices today and see how Westchester County and Long Island New York’s premiere labor and anti-discrimination law firm can satisfy your every legal need.