Jill Chasson Provides Insight on Noncompete Agreement Challenges in HR Laws Article

In August 2024, just a few months after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a rule banning nearly all noncompete agreements between companies and workers, a federal judge blocked the rule nationwide. Despite the injunction and dramatic shifts in federal government priorities under a new president, the FTC recently announced that noncompete agreements will remain in its crosshairs. In a recent HR Laws article, Partner Jill Chasson examined the uncertain future of noncompete agreements and provided employers guidance as they navigate the FTC’s continued scrutiny of restrictive employment practices. Jill highlighted the FTC’s commitment to challenging noncompete agreements as part of a broader focus on labor practices. Citing concerns about worker mobility and wage suppression, the agency has even established a task force to investigate deceptive, unfair, and...

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Jill Chasson Explores How Social Media Can Foster a Hostile Work Environment in HR Laws Article

With the pervasiveness of social media, employers may overlook how employees’ personal activity can give rise to workplace harassment claims. In an article for HR Laws, Partner Jill Chasson examined a recent 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision, which confirmed an employee’s personal social media account can be a source of harassment in the workplace. In her piece, Jill details a recent case involving a psychologist at a federal prison who discovered a coworker’s Instagram filled with hundreds of sexually and racially offensive posts, some of which specifically targeted her. Despite reporting this account to prison authorities, her concerns were ignored initially and later dismissed. This escalated to more harassment from the account and ultimately led the psychologist to transfer to a different facility and...

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Five Coppersmith Brockelman Attorneys Recognized as Top Lawyers by PHOENIX Magazine

Honored for their outstanding contributions across six practice areas, PHOENIX Magazine recognized five Coppersmith Brockelman attorneys on its 2024 Top Lawyers list – several of whom have been featured on the list for multiple years and others for the very first time.  Mel Soliz was honored for the third consecutive year, and Jill Chasson and Keith Beauchamp were recognized for the second time, both having been featured on the publication’s 2022 Top Lawyers list. And joining them for the first time this year are Malvika Sinha and Andy Gaona, with Andy receiving recognition in two categories.  The Coppersmith Brockelman attorneys recognized in the 2024 list are:  Andy Gaona: Appellate Law; Government & Administrative  Keith Beauchamp: Commercial Litigation   Malvika Sinha: Commercial Litigation  Mel Soliz: Health-Care Law  Jill Chasson:...

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Jill Chasson Contributes HRLaws Article on Employers Paying a High Price for Discrimination

Workplace discrimination remains at large – but not without consequences. In an article for HRLaws, Jill Chasson addressed the costly repercussions of recent workplace lawsuits and why employers must remain vigilant – taking swift and appropriate action when a discrimination concern is raised. In her piece, Jill shed light on two significant U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) workplace discrimination settlements, each of which cost the employer a half-million dollars (plus what was surely several hundred thousand dollars in legal fees). In one case, the EEOC sued a Phoenix-based steel company for failing to adequately address a years-long pattern of offensive and hostile comments by a plant manager. In the second case, a Colorado-based pharmacy company was accused of improperly using medical and genetic information to...

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Chambers USA Recognizes Coppersmith Brockelman in 2024 Legal Rankings

Chambers USA, the world’s leading legal data and analytics provider, has recognized nine of our 22 lawyers in their 2024 legal guide. The annual catalog of the nation’s leading attorneys and law firms also ranked our firm for our expertise in Labor & Employment, Litigation: General Commercial, and Healthcare in Arizona.   2024 Chambers USA nationally recognized attorneys:  Kristen Rosati, Privacy & Data Security: Healthcare  Mel Soliz, Privacy & Data Security: Healthcare  Attorneys recognized for their expertise in Arizona:  Keith Beauchamp, Litigation: General Commercial  Kent Brockelman, Labor & Employment  Jill Chasson, Labor & Employment   John DeWulf, Litigation: General Commercial  Erin Dunlap, Healthcare  Karen Owens, Healthcare  Kristen Rosati, Healthcare   Marki Stewart, Healthcare  Mel Soliz, Healthcare  “We are extremely proud of the attorneys and practice groups who have been honored this...

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Attorney Jill Chasson

Jill Chasson Contributes Article About Arizona’s Minimum Wage Law for HR Laws

As of Jan. 1, Arizona's minimum wage increased to $14.35 per hour, nearly double the federal minimum. With almost all employers in the state covered by the minimum wage law, understanding compensation structure to ensure employees are being paid in accordance with the law is critical. In an article for HR Laws, Jill Chasson offered up expert insights on potential pitfalls for employers to avoid. Jill explained that unlike many other state-level minimum wage laws, Arizona’s law applies to nearly all employees, including those who are exempt from the federal FLSA's minimum wage and overtime requirements. This can create challenges for employers in at least two areas. First, as the minimum wage increases, employers need to be mindful of the hours worked by those who are...

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