Anthony J Brock Law Firm

Professional Services

The Law Office of Anthony J. Brock assists employers with solving problems in a wide range of areas. 

LEGAL GUIDANCE ON ISSUES IN THE WORKPLACE
Employers can never anticipate the legal issues that may arise on any given day. Guidance on hiring, discipline, tenure areas, layoffs, Civil Service Law, contract interpretation and union related matters are handled with timely responses in a collaborative and professional manner.

DISCIPLINE AND DISCHARGE
Many employers are fearful that just cause disciplinary processes are useless except for egregious acts of misconduct.  This fear is misplaced.  Mr. Brock has investigated, prosecuted and defended hundreds of discipline and discharge cases. This experience can help alleviate employers’ fears of the disciplinary process.  

Understanding the likely outcome of a discipline case at the earliest stages is essential to an effective system of progressive discipline. Mr. Brock regularly assists employers with achieving effective resolutions of disciplinary issues without undue expense and undue burdens on administrators’ time. By implementing a consistent and just system of progressive discipline, employers can expect that appropriate disciplinary results can be achieved from statutory and collectively bargained processes.

The following services are offered to assist employers with the discipline and discharge process:

  • investigations into employee misconduct

  • case evaluation

  • representation in disciplinary proceedings

  • training to administrators on both investigation techniques and the use of progressive discipline


COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
The process of collectively negotiating contracts with employee groups can be a delicate matter for employers. With experience negotiating contracts on both the union and management sides of the table, Mr. Brock brings a perspective that helps achieve positive results while building a stronger relationship with employee unions.


LITIGATION
Choosing the right litigator for your case is an important decision when facing litigation.  Regardless of the forum, litigation is stressful for everyone involved and having the right person on your side can make the difference not only in the results that are achieved, but the comfort level of the client throughout the process.  With extensive experience litigating matters in both State and Federal courts, as well as a wide variety of administrative proceedings, clients can be assured of excellent representation.  This experience combined with a dedication to client communication provides clients with the confidence that their particular matter is receiving the individual dedication they so very well deserve.   Critical to client communication is making sure the client understands at the earliest stages what to expect throughout the litigation process.  This includes relevant time frames, anticipated expenses, and potential results.   With this understanding clients can make informed decisions when evaluating potential settlement offers earlier in the process, often saving significant time and money while achieving the same or similar result had they fully litigated a matter. 

INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS
Proper investigative techniques can be critical to the outcome of future litigation. Mr. Brock regularly conducts investigations into employee misconduct and workplace harassment issues. Investigation plans are developed with the employer so that thorough and timely responses can be achieved.

IN-SERVICE TRAINING
Mr. Brock regularly presents training programs to attorneys and school administrators on a variety of topics. Past topics have included attorney ethics, mandatory sexual harassment training, Education Law updates, discipline and discharge, progressive discipline, retiree health insurance and the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court Janus decision.

HEARING OFFICER SERVICES
​Mr. Brock is available to serve as a Superintendent’s designated hearing officer for student disciplinary hearings held pursuant to Education Law §3214, and for employee disciplinary hearings conducted pursuant to Civil Service Law §75.

Areas of Practice

Issues litigated in State and Federal Courts and administrative proceedings:

  • Age Discrimination in Employment Act

  • Americans with Disabilities Act

  • Pregnancy Discrimination Act

  • Duty of Fair Representation

  • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act

  • NYS Article §75 Proceedings

  • NYS Article §78 Proceedings

  • Civil Service Law §75 hearings

  • Education Law §3020-a hearings

  • Improper Practices

  • Appeals to the Commissioner of Education

Disciplinary Issues Previously Handled

  • Alcohol and drug abuse

  • Assault

  • Attendance abuse

  • Failure to provide IEP services

  • Inappropriate classroom behavior/comments

  • Incompetency

  • Improper student restraints

  • Insubordination

  • Pornography in the workplace

  • Sexual assault

  • Sleeping on the job

  • Social media abuse

  • Tardiness

  • Testing improprieties

  • Theft

  • Verbal abuse

  • Workplace misconduct