Erin J. McLaughlin

A member of the firm’s Labor & Employment Group, Erin J. McLaughlin handles complex employment matters and provides strategic, day-to-day guidance to employers on their personnel matters. Erin defends clients against employment discrimination, retaliation, whistleblower, breach of contract and wage and hour claims. She has also represented clients in investigations and litigation brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Erin further protects her clients’ business by prosecuting trade secret and restrictive covenant cases. With significant litigation and trial experience, Erin has represented clients before United States federal courts nationwide and state courts throughout the country.

To avoid costly litigation, Erin advises union and non-union clients on preventive measures, including drafting effective employment agreements and restrictive covenants, reviewing policies, counseling on disciplinary actions and employee terminations, navigating employee accommodation and leave matters, conducting investigations, negotiating severance agreements, and conducting employment practices and compensation reviews.

In this role, Erin helps clients effectively investigate, defend against and develop advance plans to avoid or minimize workplace problems stemming from harassment and discrimination claims.

Effective employee training is critical for employers.  In this regard, Erin develops and implements effective training programs for clients on sexual and other forms of harassment, which has become increasingly important given today’s heightened awareness of and focus on workplace harassment. Erin has a passion for conducting effective employee training.  In addition to training initiatives, Erin also counsels clients on best practices for employer diversity initiatives.

Erin works with clients in the technology services, higher education, oil and gas, telecommunications, hospitality, healthcare, pharmaceutical sales, construction, transportation, sports, retail, manufacturing, gaming and entertainment, financial services, retail, and nonprofit industries. In addition to her private sector clients, Erin works with universities, local authorities, municipalities, and public schools.

Education:

• Duquesne University School of Law, J.D., 2005
• Ohio University, B.A., 2002, Political Science with a Minor in Business