Employment, Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct

Hecker Fink lawyers have deep experience advising and representing organizations and individuals in complex and sensitive employment matters, including workplace misconduct, discrimination, harassment, and related litigation. We also have a proven track record in successfully resolving employment disputes out of court. In addition, we work closely with clients to develop and implement policies that promote safe, inclusive, and legally compliant work environments. Hecker Fink also frequently leads internal investigations into alleged misconduct and employment discrimination, ensuring fair, impartial, and thorough reviews.

The firm has worked on employment matters involving allegations based on gender, race, age, disability, and other protected classes, as well as broader issues of workplace culture and governance. Our work spans several industries, including finance, higher education, sports, the arts, and other areas of the private sector.

In addition to advising organizations and companies, Hecker Fink also advocates for individuals in exceptional circumstances. We represent clients who have experienced serious workplace misconduct, including sexual assault, harassment, and systemic discrimination, to ensure that their rights are protected and their voices heard.

Chambers and Legal 500 recognize Hecker Fink as a top firm in labor and employment law, and Julie Fink is widely recognized for her strategic leadership in the employment space. She is ranked by Chambers among leading labor and employment lawyers, with clients describing her as “very strategic in seeing the whole picture,” “thinking ahead,” and having “excellent judgement,” “good instincts,” and “creative stances in litigation.” Additionally, Lawdragon has named Julie Fink, Gabrielle Tenzer, Matthew Craig, and Kate Doniger among its “500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers in America.”

Select Representative Employment Investigations & Advising

• Representation of numerous clients in negotiating pre-litigation settlements in high-stakes employment disputes.
• Representation of clients in connection with advice on and litigation of complex partnership disputes, often involving employment-related claims and fiduciary issues among founders and senior executives.
• Representation of leading businesses and academic institutions, investigating claims of discrimination based on race, age, and gender.
• Representation of a major cultural institution, investigating allegations of misconduct and advising on improvements to workplace policies.
• Representation of a large non-profit organization, conducting multiple internal investigations concerning workplace harassment and culture.
• Representation of an international law firm, conducting an internal investigation in connection with claims of age discrimination by one of the firm’s attorneys.
• Representation of a large media company in connection with advice on development and implementation of human resource policies to help ensure a fair and unbiased workplace.
• Representation of a prestigious research institution, investigating allegations of gender-based misconduct by a faculty member.
• Representation of a large non-profit organization, conducting multiple internal investigations concerning complaints of sexual harassment and harassment on the basis of race.
• Conducted an investigation into gender equity issues with the championships of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), resulting in two in-depth reports that have led to significant changes in Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball and other NCAA championships.
• Representation of several former women's professional soccer league players relating to league-wide sexual harassment and abuse. The firm also represented players in connection with multiple ongoing investigations and worked closely with the Players’ Association to draft sexual harassment policies and ensure that they were implemented.