Overview
For an industry that depends on public interaction with its facilities and its employees, hospitality carries significant risk. A lot can go wrong: venues that are not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), an inappropriate exchange between a club employee and a member, union organizing, a wage and hour class action.
At Epstein Becker Green, we’ve been representing hotels, resorts, cruise lines, restaurants, spas, casinos, private clubs, and others in the hospitality industry for more than 50 years. We understand the unique challenges of their business and the many employment, labor, and workforce management issues that arise.
Safeguarding Workforce Assets with Tailored Advice and Training
Whether we’re expanding a compliance program, reviewing pay practices, or navigating health care and health benefit updates, we draw on our deep industry knowledge and benchmarking data to promote safe and productive work environments. Our policies, handbooks, and training programs are specifically tailored to best practices and preventive strategies for professional and courteous face-to-face interaction with colleagues and customers. When circumstances necessitate large reductions in force, our guidance ensures compliance at every step of the process.
Proven Litigation Strategies for High-Exposure Problems
Our team of seasoned litigators draws on deep experience defending employers in high-profile cases involving claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and breach of contract. When confronted with a class action alleging wage and hour violations or independent contractor misclassification, we act quickly to get the case dismissed or drastically limit exposure. Our lawyers have even challenged the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and secured new guidance that enabled restaurants and other businesses to create tip pools for tipped and non-tipped employees.
Proactive Labor Relations for Productive Workforces
Hospitality employers, especially hotels, country clubs, and resorts, need an experienced partner to support their labor-management relations objectives. Our lawyers have worked at the National Labor Relations Board, the DOL, and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and in state and local agencies regulating labor-management relations in the public and private sectors. We regularly help our clients handle their most complex challenges, whether they’re negotiating new contracts or collective bargaining agreements, or trying to maintain their non-union status.
We’ve Got Accessibility Covered
ADA compliance is paramount in the hospitality industry. Our deep bench of ADA lawyers and technology auditors represents clients in all accessibility concerns involving their accommodations, public venues, physical workspaces, and websites. We resolve legal and regulatory claims quickly and mitigate future risk by negotiating positive compliance terms with the DOJ, performing brick-and-mortar facility audits, and reviewing accessible construction design plans. Our industry-leading technology consulting team provides full-service advice and audits. They help companies ensure that their websites and mobile applications meet ADA guidelines for mobility, hearing, vision, or communication disabilities.
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Focus Areas
Services
- ADA and Public Accommodations
- Appellate
- Business Torts, Competition & Trade Secrets
- Class Actions
- Corporate & Transactional
- Corporate Financing
- Corporate Governance
- Corporate Reorganization
- Cross-Border Data Transfers
- Cross-Border Transactions
- Cybersecurity Risk Assessment
- Data Asset Management
- Data Breach and Incident Response
- Data Breach/Cybersecurity Investigations & Litigation
- Data Protection
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Counseling
- Employee Benefits and ERISA
- Employment Litigation
- Employment Training
- Employment, Labor & Workforce Management
- ERISA – Retirement and Benefit Plan Litigation
- Executive Compensation
- Financial Restructuring and Bankruptcy
- Foreign Multinational Counseling and Litigation
- Immigration
- Insider Threats
- Intellectual Property
- Intellectual Property Litigation
- Labor and Employment Due Diligence
- Labor Management Relations
- Litigation & Business Disputes
- Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures
- Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA)
- Pandemic Workforce Issues
- Pay Equity
- Privacy Compliance Strategies
- Privacy, Cybersecurity & Data Asset Management
- Ransomware
- Real Estate
- Remote and Hybrid Work
- Social Media and the Workplace
- State Privacy Law Compliance
- Tax and Tax-Exempt Counseling
- Trade Secrets & Employee Mobility
- Wage and Hour
- Whistleblowing and Compliance
- Workforce Government Relations
- Workforce Restructuring and Other Cost-Saving Mechanisms
- Workplace Investigations
Trending Issues
Experience
- Defended a hotel company with properties across the country in a DOL investigation of its pay practices. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we concluded the matter in six weeks with no findings of back wages or penalties due—a rarity in hospitality employer investigations.
- Resolved a significant regulatory accessibility investigation for a global cruise line. We reached a comprehensive, landmark agreement to enhance the client’s existing accessibility policies, practice, and procedures. In extensive negotiations with the regulators, we offered new and creative approaches to resolving concerns that were supported by architectural designs and economic data.
- Counseled two major hotel chains severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic on preparing WARN Act notices in dozens of states and in reporting the employee furloughs and terminations to governmental entities. Due to our efforts, these furloughs and closures resulted in zero lawsuits filed and no WARN violations alleged.
- Represented a major privately held owner of budget-friendly hotels in its labor relations initiatives, which have allowed the client to maintain non-union status.
- Won a three-week jury trial for a large hotel and entertainment company, in which the former employee had alleged a hostile work environment based on age.
Our Team
Media
Events
Upcoming Events
Past Events
- November 29, 2023
- March 23, 2023
- March 8, 2023
- November 30, 2022
- November 29, 2022
- November 3, 2022
Insights
Insights
- PublicationsOn Trend: New Pay Equity Laws Coming to Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Vermont in 202513 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “What Employers Need to Know Now That the 80/20 Tip Credit Rule Has Been Overturned”4 minute read
- Blogs
What the FTC Non-Compete Ban Block Means for Employers - Employment Law This Week Video
2 minute read - Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “Punching In: DOL’s Summer of Enforcement Efforts on Tipped Wages”4 minute read
- Media Coverage
Paul DeCamp, Kathleen Barrett Featured in “Law360's Legal Lions of the Week”
1 minute read - Media CoverageKathleen Barrett Quoted in “3 Tips for Navigating Tip Credit Rule's Demise”3 minute read
- Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green Earns Finalist Spots in New Jersey Law Journal's 2024 Legal Awards: Celebrating Excellence in ...
4 minute read - Blogs“Fair Chance” Updates: Los Angeles County Ordinance Takes Effect; New York City Proposes Amendments to Existing Law ...8 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “Fifth Circuit Strikes Down DOL Tip Credit Rule”4 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “Business Assault on DOL Judges Begins with Whistleblower Claims”3 minute read
- Publications#WorkforceWednesday: Courts Side with Employers – Tip Credit Rule and Non-Compete Ban Struck Down Nationwide3 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Featured in “Former DOL W&H Head Talks Shop on Agency Rulemaking”11 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “5th Circuit Tosses DOL’s Tip Credit Final Rule”5 minute read
- BlogsMI Agencies Request Clarity on New Minimum Wage & Tip Credit Requirements3 minute read
- BlogsMental Health Parity Rules Incoming: What Employers Need to Know7 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “5th Circ. Strikes Down DOL Tip Rule”3 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “Tipped Worker Downtime Wage Rule Vacated by Fifth Circuit”2 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “5 Wage Priorities in the Democrats' 2024 Platform”4 minute read
- Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Honored for Excellence in the Legal Profession by Best Lawyers 2025
14 minute read - BlogsVideo: State Legal Trends - Crucial Changes for Employers - Employment Law This Week4 minute read
- BlogsSpilling Secrets Podcast: What Is the Future of Non-Compete Agreements for Employers?2 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “Wage and Hour Issues to Watch the Rest of 2024”4 minute read
- BlogsVideo: SpaceX Victory - Court Questions NLRB's Constitutional Authority - Employment Law This Week4 minute read
- BlogsSpilling Secrets Podcast: Can FTC’s Non-Compete Ban Survive Without Chevron Deference?2 minute read
- Media Coverage
Paul DeCamp Quoted in “What Employers Can Expect Following the End of Chevron Deference”
3 minute read - BlogsVideo: Chevron Deference Overturned - Employment Law This Week4 minute read
- Media Coverage
Stuart Gerson Quoted in “FDA’s Lab Developed Test Rule Could Be First Check on Agency’s Power Post-Chevron” ...
3 minute read - PublicationsFederal Court Grants Temporary Stay of FTC Noncompete Rule but Limits Scope (for Now) to Named Parties12 minute read
- Blogs
California Governor’s PAGA Deal: What Employers Need to Know - Employment Law This Week
2 minute read - Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “6 Major Rulings for Wage-Hour Attorneys So Far in 2024”4 minute read
- PublicationsNoncompetes Under Fire, the Benefits of Forfeiture-for-Competition Clauses Getting a Fresh Look3 minute read
- BlogsFifth Circuit Narrows Application of the Crime-Fraud Exception to the Attorney-Client Privilege in Investigations ...3 minute read
- Media CoverageFrank Morris Quoted in “New D.C. Pay Transparency Law Could Apply to Virginia, Maryland Employers”2 minute read
- Media Coverage
Paul DeCamp Quoted in “The Supreme Court Discards Chevron Doctrine, Unleashing a Threat to Biden's Climate Policies” ...
7 minute read - BlogsClearing Up Confusion: New Jersey Division on Civil Rights Proposes Detailed Guidelines Concerning What Constitutes ...5 minute read
- BlogsSpilling Secrets Podcast: Protecting Trade Secrets with E-Discovery2 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “Justices’ Look at Overtime Exemption Proof Raises Liability Risk”3 minute read
- PublicationsChicago’s Paid Leave and Paid Sick Leave Ordinance Takes Effect Soon – Are You Ready?13 minute read
- BlogsVideo: SCOTUS Limits Availability of Injunctions in NLRB Unfair Labor Practice Cases - Employment Law This Week2 minute read
- BlogsDon’t Miss the Deadline: New York City Employers Must Display “Know Your Rights” by July 1, 20243 minute read
- Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green Receives National Recognition and Top Rankings in the 2024 Edition of Legal 500
3 minute read - BlogsVideo: Key SCOTUS Decisions This Term for Employers - Employment Law This Week3 minute read
- Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green Honored for Exceptional Performance in Key Practice Areas by Chambers USA 2024
5 minute read - BlogsVideo: EEO-1 Filing After June 4: What to Do Now, and How to Prepare for Next Year - Employment Law This Week2 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “As State Minimum Wages Rise, Fewer Workers at Fed. Floor”3 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “5th Circuit Decision Hints at Salary Debates to Come”3 minute read
- Media Coverage
J.T. Wilson Discusses on CBS News Chicago: “Illinois Legislation Would Limit Damages Companies Must Pay for Biometric ...
3 minute read - Media CoverageDean Singewald Quoted in “EEOC Crackdown May Hint at Pay Data Requirement Reboot”3 minute read
- PublicationsConnecticut Greatly Expands Paid Sick Leave Law6 minute read
- Media CoverageLaw360 Names the Twelve Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Who Moved Up the Ranks in Q1 20242 minute read