James Hammerschmidt

Jim Hammerschmidt is Co-President of the firm, Co-Chair of the Employment Law group, and a member of its Litigation and Appellate Practice groups. His practice includes a range of commercial, corporate, and employment counseling and litigation, but his primary task is listening. The first thing Jim does when meeting with a client is ask, “What is your goal?” In doing this, Jim is able to determine the client’s expectations and whether we will be able to meet them. Only then can he really set about meeting his clients’ business needs.

Jim has extensive experience representing and counseling clients on employment law issues. He represents clients in federal and state court, as well as before agencies such as the EEOC, Department of Labor, and local and state human rights commissions and labor departments.

He handles claims arising under Title VII, ERISA, FLSA, FMLA, ADA, ADEA, Wage Payment and Collection Law, and Wage and Hour Law statutes, including class actions. Jim’s clients often need counseling and litigation on a wide range of employment issues, such as breach of contract, wrongful termination, trade secret claims, and non-competition and non-solicitation agreements.

In addition to litigation, Jim provides daily advice to clients dealing with difficult employees and employee discipline, and his role as Co-President of the firm puts him in a unique position to apply his internal experience to client issues. He also routinely assists clients in developing and implementing employment policies and practices, drafting employee manuals and preparing employment agreements.

Jim’s general civil litigation and appellate practice includes matters involving real estate, land development, breach of contract, trusts and estates, construction, shareholder disputes, business disputes, protection of trade secrets and confidential information among many others. His critical attention to detail and access to a strong litigation department puts clients at ease, knowing they are receiving high quality representation.