Janis van Meerveld represents management interests in a rising tide of employment litigation. Her practicality with discrimination and EEOC charges helps clients manage the investigative, administrative and judicial phases with less disruption to their businesses. Clients faced with class actions, multiple plaintiffs and ERISA claims have chosen Janis for her considerable experience and success in employment litigation and human resources law.
Her experience is often called upon to counsel clients before claims arise. Janis frequently assists in the development of employee policies, procedures and handbooks. She speaks regularly on litigation avoidance and conducts client training on many employment related matters for managers and other employees. She also advises clients on hiring, discipline, and termination policies and practices.
While she has proven her mettle in litigation such as her significant trial victory in Addie Stover v. Hattiesburg Public Schools, Janis' greatest contribution to the Adams and Reese Labor and Employment practice has been her leadership in creative pre-trial solutions. Her cost-conscious approach and deep understanding of the psychology of employment litigation guides clients through the decisions necessary for timely, cost-effective, and constructive response to employee claims and lawsuits.
Janis' significant contributions include:
- Representing management in discrimination claims and lawsuits involving, among other things, age, disability, sex, race, color, sexual harassment, religion, and national origin.
Defense of myriad whistleblower and other retaliation claims. - Counsel for employer compliance with wage and hour laws, leave and pay requirements, and many other statutes.
- Extensive pre-trial resolution success, primarily through settlements and summary judgment motions. Significant cases have involved the False Claims Act and wrongful termination claims, confidentiality agreements and recoveries from employee theft.
- Client training and industry presentations on employer liabilities regarding harassment and discrimination, FMLA, FLSA, electronic documents and discovery, employee recruitment, hiring, firing, and discipline, litigation avoidance techniques, privacy concerns, and more.
- Conducting Human Resources audits of clients to ensure compliance with all state and federal laws.
- Chairing Adams and Reese's Recruiting Committee (2005-2008), serving on its Diversity Committee and mentoring younger lawyers.
- Co-chairing and serving as CLE Coordinator for the American Bar Association's EEOC liaison subcommittee in New Orleans.
Janis is a writer, reader and international traveler. She is dedicated to the work of Boys Hope Girls Hope of New Orleans where she serves on the board of directors and is secretary of its executive committee. She is also the author of a children's guide to New Orleans and is proficient in French.
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