Our attorneys have decades of experience representing publicly and privately held companies in the broad range of life sciences businesses, including those devoted to biotechnology, medical devices research and manufacturing, medical information data collection and storage, medical software and informatics, laboratory and medical testing, medical research, and others focused on research, development, technology, and manufacturing. Ogletree Deakins provides adept and innovative legal services to life sciences employers that include representation in the following areas:
- Employment law advice and counseling
- Internal investigations
- Noncompete agreements and restrictive covenants
- Policy development and employee handbooks
- Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and disability leave management
- Severance agreements
- Termination advice
- Sexual harassment training and prevention
- Wage and hour compliance
- Social media
- Background checks
- Drug testing
- Privacy
- Military leaves
- Workforce reductions, plant closings, and WARN compliance
- Recruiting, hiring, and onboarding
- Employee discipline and performance management
- Employment litigation
- Defense of charges brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and state agencies
- Discrimination and wrongful discharge clams in state and federal courts
- Contract claims
- Wage and hour claims
- Class and collective actions
- Noncompete agreements and trade secret litigation
- Traditional labor relations
- Union avoidance tactics
- Union organizing and elections
- Contract negotiations
- Labor arbitrations
- Defense of unfair labor practice charges
- ERISA and employee benefits
- The Affordable Care Act
- Retirement and welfare plan design and compliance
- Fiduciary counseling and best practices advice
- Cash and equity-based compensation
- International assignment issues
- OFCCP Compliance and Audits
- Immigration
- Inbound U.S. and global immigration
- Worldwide mobility and expat agreements
- Workplace safety and OSHA compliance
- Investigation of workplace accidents
- Effective handling of OSHA inspections and safety whistleblower complaints
- Negotiation, litigation, and trial of OSHA citations
- Advising and counseling to help ensure compliance and formulate health and safety programs
Relentless focus on client goals
We understand the unique challenges that organizations operating in the life sciences industry face. We are adept at partnering with in-house counsel and senior management to resolve complex litigation, provide core legal support, advise and train management, and address multifaceted administrative, policy, and compliance issues. With our deep knowledge of the industry, our legal team delivers solutions grounded in a practical understanding of our clients’ business needs. We handle both simple and complex matters efficiently and effectively to deliver the best results not only in a cost-effective manner, but also in a manner consistent with our clients’ goals.
Depth and Experience
Ogletree Deakins attorneys deliver life science industry experience and knowledge to our clients. In the United States and around the world, our knowledge and experience in life science issues allows us to deliver superior service and results, including:
- Counsel who stay informed of legal developments affecting life science operations and compliance requirements, such as PhRMA Code, Stark anti-kickback laws, medical whistleblower issues, FCA claims, etc.
- On-point experience handling the most complex disputes and transactions in the life sciences industry
- Day-to-day legal advice on challenges faced by life science businesses
- Life science “bench depth” in litigation, policy matters, EEOC charges, disability and accommodation issues, OFCCP reviews, contracting, and legal issues based on state, and federal law, state and federal regulations, and agency rules and regulations
- In-depth experience advising life science employers on an international scope in a variety of matters, including data privacy concerns, cross-border investigations, global labor mobility, employment terminations, and litigation/arbitration of employment disputes
- Experience working with life science CEOs, Boards, general and employment counsel, and members of senior leadership teams
- Training and presentations for executive employees, management, and staff
- Risk management advice and preventive counseling about potential consequences associated with both innovative and commonplace business practices
- Life science industry legal alerts, newsletters, and webinars
Communication
Clear, prompt, and effective communication is critical to serving the legal needs of life science businesses. In addition to regularly updating clients on their matters, we actively consult with our clients on every step of the decision-making process. Our quality, value, timeliness, and responsiveness drives informed decision making and helps us forge strong and lasting relationships with our life science clients.
Value
Ogletree Deakins is a leader in offering value-based billing for clients. We work closely with our clients to develop fee arrangements that are tailored to their needs, and we are happy to discuss alternative fee agreements that may be of interest to you.
