Law Firms & Legal Profession

The Firm also provides one-one-one coaching to individual attorneys and assists with policy work on these topics.

KSB Law can also help support law firms with internal conflicts by offering neutral dispute resolution services through its attorney neutrals who provide mediation and arbitration services.

ADVANCEMENT & RETENTION

• WOMEN’S INITIATIVES

• DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION STRATGIES

• TRANSPARENT COMPENSATION POLICIES

KSB Law can assist firms in building effective and data-focused women’s leadership initiatives and strategies to address challenges surrounding the advancement and retention of women and under-represented attorneys. This work includes education and consulting about Mansfield Rule Certification and advancing transparent compensation policies.

WHY CHOOSE KSB LAW?

KSB Law’s attorneys are well-suited to providing services in the legal profession and are experienced and skilled employment law attorneys. Our attorneys have robust experience, having worked in a variety of roles in the legal profession, including in large firms and academia. Our attorneys are passionate about education and helping law firms create cultures to retain diverse talent, enhance profitability, and maximize services to their clients.

KSB Law’s attorneys are well-recognized leaders in the legal profession. Our attorneys are involved in efforts supporting the advancement and retention of women in the law.

Managing Partner, Kirsten S. Branigan, led the revitalization of the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association (NJWLA) in 2006 (which was on the brink of disbanding) and served at its President from 2006-2008. She has helped the organization grow to its present robust membership as one of the leading bar associations in New Jersey. KSB Law attorneys remain active as leaders of the NJWLA and have served other organizations, including the Supreme Court Committee on Women in the Courts. They have received recognition and awards for their leadership work. They frequently speak and write about issues involving sexual harassment prevention, gender equality, mindfulness, and women’s leadership.

KSB Law has been involved in statewide and national discussions on this important topic for years. In 2009, KSB Law was a Founding Member in a study by the Rutgers Center for Women and Work and the New Jersey Gender Parity Council that focused on challenges with respect to retention of women in the law.

Most recently, KSB Law provided contributions to the August 2022 Report issued by the Rutgers Center for Women and Work, entitled: Women In Private Law Firms: Slow Progress on Equality of Promotion and Compensation.

In 2023, Kirsten Scheurer Branigan joined Rutgers Law School as an Adjunct Professor to collaborate with Professor Penny Venetis and the Rutgers Law School International Human Rights Clinic to launch an exciting study surrounding the advancement and retention of women in the law challenges in New Jersey, which will include developing a survey, collecting data, and holding focus groups with key stakeholders. The goal of this study is to produce a robust report and action plan for success.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

KSB Law provides Consulting and Training support in the critical area of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the private and public sectors. Diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces contribute to the success of organizations. Some key areas in which the Firm can provide support to organizations are: Audits, Culture & Workplace Climate Assessments, DEI Initiatives, and DEI Training.

TRAINING & COACHING

KSB Law is dedicated to developing innovative and interactive Training Programs, Workshops, and Coaching Services for law firms, legal organizations, and individual attorneys. At KSB Law our Training is customizable based on your organization’s needs. It can take place in groups or in one-on-one sessions, in person or virtually, and as a stand-alone training session or as multi-part training sessions.

HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION, RETALIATION PREVENTION & CIVILITY/BYSTANDER INTERVENTION

The Firm provides training and policy/procedure consulting in the area of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation in the workplace based upon a variety of legally protected categories under federal, state, and local laws. Additionally, the Training is designed to promote bystander intervention, civility, and respect in the workplace. Legal requirements continue to expand in this area. It is key for employers to ensure that employees are protected from unlawful and inappropriate conduct, afforded safe and comfortable workplaces, and educated to know what is prohibited by policy and under the law. The most meaningful ways that employers can prevent unlawful conduct is by implementing effective policies and procedures and by conducting live, interactive training.

UNCONSCIOUS BIAS & CULTURAL AWARENESS

KSB Law provides support in the important area of Unconscious/Implicit Bias & Cultural Awareness in the legal profession. Unconscious/implicit biases can unknowingly distort the objective evaluation and treatment of those who are different from us. Microaggressions and microinequities can demean and stereotype individuals of historically marginalized groups. Attorneys and staff can learn to appreciate how their backgrounds influence their interactions with each other within the workplace and how their own cultural experiences shape who they are and how they see the world. The Firm offers a thought-provoking and impactful Training Program focused on understanding implicit/unconscious bias and cultural awareness. These topics are highly relevant given the current legal and social landscape, including a number of social justice movements.

MINDFULNESS & WELL BEING

The Firm provides mindfulness and well-being Coaching and Training for law firms and individual attorneys. These sessions also emphasize work-life balance and flexibility as key components to healthy and productive work environments. Attorneys at KSB Law offer the unique experience of Coaching and Training on both mental and physical well-being and are involved in leadership roles and efforts at the state and national levels to further prioritize these areas.

APPRECIATING GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES AT WORK

KSB Law provides Training and Coaching on tackling age-based assumptions and stereotypes and the importance of valuing the contributions and lessons that each generation provides. It stresses varying communication styles and behaviors for different generations and the importance of assembling age diverse teams who can learn from each other. This Training also encourages mentoring relationships and open communication with a shared goal of appreciating differences among the generations.

EMPLOYMENT LAW COMPLIANCE

KSB offers Training and HR compliance support regarding a wide array of issues and areas, including: recruiting, interviewing, hiring; applications and background checks; salary inquiry bans; equal pay compliance; cannabis (marijuana); drug use and testing; reasonable accommodations medical exams, tests, inquiries (including COVID-19, disabilities, religious, and service or assistance animals); medical, family, and sick leaves; harassment/discrimination complaints; retaliation/whistleblower concerns; diversity, equity, and inclusion; unconscious/implicit bias; safety, health, and worker injuries; overtime, misclassification; reorganizations, layoffs, and terminations; social media and off duty conduct; privacy concerns; NLRB protections; job descriptions; performance evaluations; discipline, demotions, promotions; compensation, raises, and bonuses.

INVESTIGATIONS

KSB Law attorneys handle workplace investigations in the legal industry, including complaints that can involve partners, shareholders, employees, board members, independent contractors, vendors, clients, financial supporters, and others. Many complaints trigger protections under a myriad of employment laws. Investigations help manage and resolve complaints about or from employees and are often legally required or recommended to minimize an employer’s legal risk. At KSB Law, our investigative techniques involve gathering facts, analyzing relevant data, evaluating credibility, and rendering sound, reasoned findings of fact. Using our skills as neutrals, we provide a thorough assessment of the relevant information so that the decision-makers can make appropriate and informed decisions.

CLIMATE ASSESSMENTS

KSB Law assists law firms in taking proactive measures such as conducting Culture & Workplace Climate Assessments. Culture & Workplace Climate Assessments can be very valuable tools to help law firms identify, address, and alleviate tinderboxes before they fully enflame the firm’s culture. A harmonious working environment benefits both the employer and employees through higher productivity and employee satisfaction and loyalty. These Assessments involve ascertaining culture/climate perceptions and summarizing the organization’s strengths and weaknesses. These Assessments can be helpful tools to draw out issues that may not be on the organization’s radar, but need action by way of training, investigation, or other remedial measures.

EQUAL PAY AUDITS

KSB Law conducts Equal Pay Act (EPA) Audits for compliance and remediation that include complex issues such as law firm compensation. EPA Audits are important self-evaluation tools for employers to identify and remediate compensation disparities and to modify existing policies and practices that result in pay disparities. The audit process provides the opportunity to correct and resolve existing issues before lawsuits are filed and can help limit potential exposure and damages and ensure pay equity.

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

KSB Law can assist law firms by serving as neutrals to help mediate or arbitrate employment disputes. The Firm’s attorneys engage in a collaborative approach developed through years of experience handling employment matters for both individuals and businesses. The Firm’s attorneys have background in complex employment cases involving the highest levels of management and in protected classes relating to discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, which enhances that balanced perspective.