Robinson Cole LLP
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Manufacturing

Labor & Employment

  • Scope
    Robinson+Cole is one of the few firms in New England to offer a full array of employment law services to employers, including counseling, litigation, immigration, benefits, labor relations, union avoidance, and training.
  • Employment
    Our employment lawyers counsel manufacturers on matters such as hiring, investigations, wage and hour compliance, individual terminations, and federal and state employments. We also advise manufacturers about drafting and negotiating non-competition agreements and any resulting litigation.
  • Labor Relations | Union Avoidance
    Our labor lawyers counsel, advise, and represent both unionized and non-unionized clients in developing corporate-wide, multi-facility labor relations strategies. We negotiate collective bargaining agreements and represent our clients in contract administration, grievance handling and arbitration, strike consultation, and National Labor Relations Board and court proceedings. We make it a point to learn your business so that labor relations strategies coincide with your operational objective. We also work with clients to develop communication strategies and proactive initiatives that encourage positive employee relations, helping employers lawfully avoid unions.
  • Immigration
    For more than 40 years, our Immigration Group has guided employers through the process of obtaining temporary and permanent work authorization for their global workforce. We have served as preferred immigration counsel for a variety of manufacturing companies, including a Fortune 50 manufacturer, for over 15 years. Using Six Sigma Green Belt certifications, the Immigration Group manages the immigration process for clients in the most efficient and cost- effective manner.

Manufacturing Law Blog


DOJ Announces First False Claims Act Settlement for “Illegal DEI Practices”

This post was co-authored by Government Enforcement + White-Collar Defense Team lawyers Seth B. Orkand and Danielle H. Tangorre and Litigation group lawyer Mallori D. Thompson. This post was originally published as a Legal Update. On April 10, 2026, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a nearly $17.1 million settlement with IBM to resolve allegations that IBM... Continue Reading

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Winona County Victim of Cyber Attack

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued an emergency executive order on April 7, 2026, dispatching the Minnesota National Guard after Winona County requested assistance following a cyber attack disrupting its “critical systems and digital services.” The attack occurred on April 6, 2026, and is “significantly impairing the county’s ability to deliver vital emergency and municipal services.” The attackers... Continue Reading

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Water Treatment Facility Downed with Ransomware Attack

Critical infrastructure operators at the water treatment plant in Minot, North Dakota, were forced to resort to manual processes when its Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system became inoperable as a result of a March 14, 2026, ransomware attack. The attackers are unidentified, but it comes in the wake of the war in Iran,... Continue Reading

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Joint Advisory Warns of Iran Cyber Actors Attacking U.S. Critical Infrastructure

Iran has always been a formidable cyber threat to the United States, but after the war in Iran commenced, the attacks are coming frequently and in full force. According to the Joint Cybersecurity Advisory issued on April 7, 2026, by the FBI, CISA, NSA, EPA, DOE, and Cyber Command, Iranian-based hackers are targeting operational technology devices connected... Continue Reading

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Driving Home the Point – Accommodating Employee Commutes

This post was co-authored by Labor + Employment Group lawyer Christopher Costain. While employers are typically aware of their obligations to engage in the interactive process in response to reasonable accommodation requests due to disability under federal and state law, employers may not be aware of one specific accommodation request that may be on the rise... Continue Reading

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Reminder – Managing Leave During Flu Season

This post was co-authored by Labor + Employment Group lawyer Christopher Costain. Flu season, which extends into spring, can be a particularly long season for manufacturers, especially when their workforces and workplaces are significantly impacted by the illness. Below are reminders for manufacturers about the various legal implications related to the flu and its impact on... Continue Reading

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Environmental Developments Manufacturers Should Monitor in 2026

Welcome to the last of our three posts with our look ahead to 2026—the environmental edition. If you follow this blog, you have probably sensed a trend: environmental regulation rarely moves in a straight line. This coming year will be no different. Below is a more detailed look at three areas we will be watching... Continue Reading

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2026 Corporate Compliance & Litigation Outlook for Manufacturers

In late 2012, we created the Manufacturing Law Blog with the goal of providing our manufacturing clients with a holistic approach to the unique issues they face in their global operations.  Starting in 2016, we began a tradition of dedicating our first three posts of the year to a yearly outlook from different vantage points. Here are... Continue Reading

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2026 Labor and Employment Outlook for Manufacturers

This post was co-authored by Labor + Employment Group lawyer Christopher Costain. As we look ahead to 2026, several significant employment law developments and trends are on the horizon, especially with regard to local and state laws. Below are a few key issues likely to impact manufacturers in 2026: Regulation of the Use of Artificial Intelligence... Continue Reading

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Making the Company Holiday Party Memorable for All the Right Reasons

This post was co-authored by Labor + Employment Group lawyer Rauchell Beckford-Anderson. Holiday celebrations are meaningful ways to recognize employees’ annual contributions to the company; however, such celebrations can introduce safety, compliance, and cultural challenges. So, as you deck the halls and cue up the playlist, remember: a great party is about more than just fun—it... Continue Reading

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