Employment Disputes in Boulder

Employment Disputes We Handle

Colorado is an at-will employment state, meaning employers can generally end a job relationship for any reason or no reason. The limit is that they can’t do it for an illegal reason, such as a protected characteristic or in retaliation for a protected act. That line is where most disputes begin, and it’s rarely a bright one.

Our employment disputes practice covers the full range of workplace conflicts that arise in Boulder and Northern Colorado:

• Wrongful termination and discharge claims, including terminations that violate public policy or constitutional protections for government employees
• Wage and hour disputes, including employee classification, independent contractor status, overtime, and bonus disagreements
• Discrimination claims, including disability discrimination and claims based on other protected classes
• Workplace harassment and hostile work environment claims, including sexual harassment
• Retaliation claims for reporting discrimination, whistleblowing, or exercising a legal right
• Noncompete and non-solicitation agreement disputes
• Severance and separation agreement negotiation and review
• Breach of employment contract claims
• ERISA employee benefit plan claims, including pension, 401(k), and long-term disability benefits
• PERA and TIAA-CREF claims for public and government employees

Representation for Employees

Colorado workers are protected under both state law, enforced in part by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, and federal law, enforced in part by the EEOC. Those protections cover discrimination and harassment based on protected classes, retaliation for reporting violations, wage and overtime rights, and family and medical leave under the FMLA. Knowing those rights is one thing. Pursuing them effectively is another.

We represent employees across the full range of dispute types listed above, including areas that many Boulder employment firms don’t handle: ERISA disability benefit denials and PERA retirement claims. Patricia Bellac has published scholarly work and speaks regularly on ERISA, employment discrimination, wage claims, and employment policy. That depth informs how we assess your situation. From the first conversation, we give you an honest read on realistic prospects, likely timelines, costs, and what a resolution might look like, so you can make informed decisions rather than guesses.

Representation for Employers & Businesses

Employment litigation is among the most expensive legal challenges a business can face, and it’s often preventable. We counsel employers on employee manuals, contracts, personnel policies, service agreements, and payment structures before disputes arise. We also advise on anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, training programs, and compliance audits.

When claims do arise, we defend employers in disputes involving employee classification, wage and hour compliance, FMLA leave, and wrongful termination allegations. For businesses with ongoing employment law needs, we serve as general counsel, available when questions come up rather than only after a claim has been filed. We select cases carefully and build strategies around each client’s specific situation rather than applying a standard playbook.

How We Resolve Employment Disputes

Most employment disputes don’t go to trial. Many resolve through mediation, direct negotiation, or arbitration, which tends to preserve time, cost, and confidentiality compared to a full court proceeding. When litigation is the right path, we handle cases in both federal and Colorado state court, including claims under Title VII, the ADA, ERISA, and Colorado employment statutes.

We don’t push every dispute toward the same resolution. Some clients need aggressive litigation. Others are better served by a negotiated outcome that avoids the cost and uncertainty of trial. We apply the approach that fits the dispute and the client’s goals, and we explain our reasoning clearly so the decision stays with you.

Talk to Our Employment Disputes Attorneys in Boulder

Whether you’re an employee who believes your rights were violated or an employer facing a claim, the right time to get legal counsel is before the situation becomes harder to resolve. We serve clients throughout Boulder and Northern Colorado, including Longmont.

Our initial phone consultation is free. Call us at (303) 622-3883 or contact us online to start the conversation.