Reductions in Force

Gerald T. Hathaway is a Partner at Pierson Ferdinand LLP, where he concentrates on Employment, Labor, and Benefits law. A recognized authority in labor and employment matters, Jerry frequently conducts due diligence for major corporate transactions, often collaborating with leading law firms that bring him onto deal teams for his specialized expertise. With decades of experience, he has guided clients through collective bargaining, workplace dispute resolution, and risk management strategies.

In times of workforce reductions and reorganizations, Jerry provides critical counsel on compliance with the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, state equivalents, and the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act. His experience covers layoffs of every scale—from small groups of employees to restructurings involving tens of thousands—ensuring clients meet legal obligations while mitigating risk.

Kerry E. Notestine is a partner at Littler Mendelson P.C. in Houston, Texas, He represents management in employment matters, particularly trials and other litigation under federal, state, and local anti-discrimination statutes, and has deep knowledge in reductions-in-force and other downsizing issues. Kerry also counsels employers regarding other employment issues and represents employers in legal disputes before government agencies, arbitrators and administrative tribunals.

Kerry has tried 25 lawsuits to verdict in federal and state courts, including one class action, and has represented companies in more than 20 administrative trials, non-labor arbitrations, and labor arbitrations. He also handled a federal class action bench trial involving alleged denial of retiree medical benefits in violation of ERISA, as well as state jury trials involving claims of denial of employment benefits, unlawful discrimination and retaliation, employment law torts, and breach of employment contracts.