The workplace has changed dramatically in the last ten years. The relationship between employees and employers has become ever more complex. Recognition of this fact guides our approach in the area of labor and employment law. We partner with management to help employers understand and comply with the sometimes confusing laws that govern their relationship with their employees.

Firm History
Our Clients
Firm Philosophy
Services

Firm History. The changing workplace led to the creation of Cohen & Goldfried. Dave Cohen and Bob Goldfried had been partners for many years in a full-service 70-lawyer Los Angeles law firm, where they both practiced labor and employment law on behalf of employers. Bob and Dave also helped run the business side of that law firm. Both served on its board of directors, Bob chaired its litigation department, and Dave chaired the firm's labor and employment law department. Both also provided human resources advice to the firm's management, as well as to its clients. Thus, they not only practiced law, but gained important practical experience in dealing with all of the issues of a typical business, including production, marketing, finance, personnel issues, and so on. As the workplace changed, so did the practice of law. Bob and Dave started Cohen & Goldfried, in May, 1996, to creatively serve the legal needs of employers in a more practical, direct and personal way.    Top

Our Clients. We represent employers of all sizes in an ever-increasing number of industries, including the following, among others: manufacturing; retail; wholesale; entertainment; financial; real estate; professional services; beverage distribution; trucking; communications; delivery; construction; construction management; etc. We also work with public entities and social service providers. We are proud to count among our clients a number of law and accounting firms, who recognize the expertise that we provide to help them better manage and deal with their employees.    Top

Firm Philosophy. Our philosophy is simple. First, we believe that preventing problems in the workplace before they arise not only makes good sense, but is essential in the litigious environment in which we live, in order to minimize the risk of litigation and potential liability. Second, when litigation cannot be avoided, we vigorously represent our clients' interests. Thus, our goals are to help employers avoid problems with employees whenever possible, and to solve such problems promptly and responsibly when they do arise.    Top

Services. Prevention starts with education and training. We have extensive experience in tailoring management training programs to meet employers' human resources needs in a wide variety of areas. The aim of our training programs is to assist employers to be proactive, by educating and training managers and supervisors. A trained management team is the best defense to employee problems, and avoids the need for crisis-management that can often occur when managers and supervisors are left without proper guidance.

We provide preventive employment law counseling to assist employers with their day-to-day needs in the full spectrum of labor and employment law issues. Guidance through the minefield of the increasingly complicated labor and employment laws in a creative and practical way is the hallmark of our services. Many of our clients feel that we are an essential part of their management team. We are always available to provide timely, concrete, understandable advice that is designed to enhance the smooth functioning of the workplace, and provide protection to our clients in the event an employee chooses to make a claim.

Because employers today face more frequent and more frivolous claims than ever before, we vigorously and aggressively defend our clients against claims of wrongful termination, sexual harassment, discrimination, unpaid overtime, breach of contract, etc. We understand the impact litigation can have on our clients' operations. Thus, we always seek to provide representation that helps achieve our client's objectives. We are also hired by employers to pursue claims for unfair competition, and theft or misappropriation of confidential information and trade secrets, when employees leave, and join or set up competitive businesses. We regularly appear in state and federal trial and appellate courts, and before state and federal administrative agencies.

We also represent our clients in arbitration proceedings. We believe that arbitration provides substantial benefits to employers. Thus, we have designed an arbitration program (including a detailed arbitration policy and an arbitration agreement) to take maximum advantage of these benefits. Our arbitration program has been approved by the American Arbitration Association, as complying with the National Due Process Protocol and the National Rules For The Resolution Of Employment Disputes. Thus, we have been successful in having courts dismiss lawsuits and order employees to arbitrate their claims. Sometimes this results in the claim simply going away. Other times an arbitration (rather than a jury trial) takes place before sophisticated, experienced neutrals, which is not only more cost-efficient and less time consuming for our employer-clients, but is also more likely to result in a more favorable result than if the matter were litigated in court.

For those employers who do not feel that unions add to the smooth functioning of the workplace, we help management deal with union organizing campaigns and unfair labor practice proceedings. For those employers who already have relationships with unions, we help with the collective bargaining process, in the administration of labor agreements, and in grievance and arbitration proceedings.

As an adjunct to our practice, and because of our demonstrated and well-known expertise, we are hired by other lawyers to serve as expert witnesses on employment matters, and to conduct workplace investigations for their clients. We believe that this aspect of our practice gives us a unique viewpoint in helping guide our clients.

With our many years of experience in labor and employment law, as well as our experience managing a 70-lawyer law firm, we are uniquely suited to provide practical, sound, and creative legal services to employers of all sizes in all industries.

Please consult the section of this website entitled Practice Areas for more details.    Top

Cohen & Goldfried
Attorneys at Law
A Professional Corporation
9595 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 201
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Telephone: (323) 930-0933
Facsimile: (323) 395-5518
Email: rgoldfried@cogolaw.com

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.

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