Constangy Law Firm Proactively Partners with Clients to Ensure Beneficial Workplace Compliance
Tuesday, January 19th, 2016
The partners at Constangy, Brooks, Smith and Prophete, LLP believe in using a singular, forward thinking approach to workplace law. While eminently prepared to provide aggressive litigation representation as a defense team, a key strategy for the 160-attorney, nationwide firm is to preemptively and properly position clients to navigate legal, regulatory and diverse environments of the changing workplace.
As an added benefit for many employers, this policy frequently can result in enhanced worker loyalty and improved productivity in the long run. The answer lies in developing a culture of mutual respect, providing a competitive wage and communicating regularly with employees.
MetroAtlantaCEO recently spoke with four longstanding attorneys from the firm’s Macon office: W. Melvin Haas, III; Jeffrey L. Thompson; Bill Clifton; and, W. Jonathan Martin, II. Between them, these equity partners have over 100 years experience at what is considered by some to be one of the preeminent boutique firms for labor and employment law in the United States.
Attorney Haas noted the firm’s reputation for diversity within its own walls, pointing out that, when the late Frank Constangy founded the partnership in 1946, one of his first partners was Mildred McClelland, one of the few female attorneys in Atlanta at the time. Furthermore, of the largest 350 law firms in the country, Constangy is the first one to have an African-American named partner—Donald S. Prophete— who joined the firm in March 2015. The firm added 34 new attorneys last year in offices including Atlanta, Kansas City, Memphis, Denver, Minneapolis and New York.
The Constangy firm specializes in representing management in labor and employment law and is the oldest law partnership of its kind in Georgia, and the only such one with three offices in the state (Atlanta, Macon and West Point). “Ours is a preventative profile,” Haas pointed out. “The main service we offer to our clients is to prevent labor relations trouble. This unique rapport prompted one client to tell us ‘there is a soul to Constangy that’s unique and refreshing that’s not found with other firms.’ Our philosophy is predicated on relationships, not only among our partners and our team. We are also grateful for our clients who have also become our friends over time.”
One of the highly visible areas of workplace law recently has been in the area of immigration. “The Constangy attorneys do a tremendous amount of immigration work,” stated Haas. “We help companies deal with various issues, for example, visas, so that they have the trained expertise and skills to make sure they are in compliance with the law.” Furthermore, Haas is very active with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which is heavily involved with the immigrant workforce in the country. Haas was Vice-Chair of its Labor Relations Committee for the past 6 years.
The Constangy practice, both the firm as a whole, as well as its attorneys’ personal credentials, has been recognized as a high profile, leading legal entity in its area of expertise. Haas has argued before the National Labor Relations Board and Martin has been involved with the Georgia Senate regarding employee classification standards. Six of the firm’s attorneys are fellow of the College of Labor Employment Lawyers. For several years, Human Resources Executive Magazine ranked Mel Haas as one of the Top 20 traditional labor lawyers in the United States, and the only such one ranked in the South. The firm's blog has also been recognized as one of the Top 100 legal blogs in the country, and features regular contributions from Georgia-based partners.
In addition to Constangy providing legal advice to its regular clientele, the law firm has been instrumental as a consultation force and a corporate sponsor for the Georgia Employer’s Association, an affiliate of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. GEA’s 200 members receive management and human resources products and services to assist them with solutions to business challenges and problems.
Haas said, “Our firm has been a viable contributor to the GEA since its inception in 1981 when my close friend, Duane Cass, served as its Executive Director.” A current Board member of GEA, Haas added, “We try to get human resource managers and business owners to help manage their companies with positive employer-employee relations. Jeff Thompson and I have presented seminars and workshops for the members. Because certain labor issues can be handled by HR professionals, it becomes less expensive for businesses to be trained by us in pertinent legal matters than for them to have to hire counsel.” From another perspective, Attorney Martin from the Constangy practice provides assistance for GEA’s logistics group. “We do not charge fees for the advice we give to the GEA. It’s all a matter of goodwill to the Georgia business community.”
In summary, Haas spoke of the importance of leadership in a company. “The shadow of a leader indicates how much and how well they affect the lives of others. Leadership equates to responsibility. Abraham Lincoln once said, ‘Nearly all men can stand adversity but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.’”
Haas concluded by saying “when an employee is asked ‘how does your best boss make you feel’, hopefully, they know that, as a leader, you care. We’re of the belief that people will give their all when they feel that the company leader cares about them. How well they work depends upon the company leader. We believe that it is in companies’ best interests to treat their employees morally, ethically and with respect.”
