Krukowski & Costello, S.C. - Employment Law and Labor Law Attorneys Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Located in downtown Milwaukee, we represent a wide range of employers in numerous industries across the United States.

We work with employers to develop practical, creative and low-cost ways to prevent disputes and litigation.

When issues must be met head-on, our experienced litigators and negotiators are ready to meet the challenge.

Standing up for employers since 1979.

We work with employers throughout the United States in all areas of labor and employment law.

Practice Areas

Employment Law

Discrimination, Affirmative Action, Veteran’s Rights and Immigration

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); age (ADEA); class actions, race; sex; pregnancy; sexual harassment; national origin; religion; arrest record; conviction record; marital status; sexual orientation; domestic partners; veterans; Rehabilitation Act of 1973; military service and leaves; HIV; use of lawful products; smoker’s rights; honesty testing; reductions in force; hiring; criminal background checks; retaliation; drafting affirmative action plans; reviewing and updating affirmative action plans; OFCCP audits; illegal alien issues; Form I-9 compliance; no match letters; safe harbor procedures and USCIS audits. More information.

Employment Contracts and Employee Handbooks

Confidentiality agreements; protecting trade secrets; covenants not to compete; employment agreements; wrongful discharge; whistleblowers; employment at will; negligent hiring; drafting and updating employee handbooks; employee handbook reviews; drafting and updating employment and leave policies.

Wage and Hour and Independent Contractors

Class and collective actions; salaried exempt employees; minimum wage; overtime payments and calculations; hours of work; wage deductions; hours worked; breaks; minimum wage; eight and eighty rule; compensation and bonus agreements or policies; internships; one day of rest in seven; donning and doffing time; tips and gratuities; child labor; government contract work; wage and hour audits; garnishment and wage assignments; independent contractor eligibility requirements; leased and loaned employees. More information.

OSHA, Worker’s Compensation and Safety

Inspections; citations; lockout/tagout; refusal to work; retaliation; defenses to OSHA enforcement; hazard communication; bloodborne pathogens; recordkeeping and logs; civil and criminal penalties; refusal to rehire, decreased compensation challenges; Safe Place Statute; employment of minors; penalties; worker’s compensation; workplace violence; concealed carry compliance. More information.

Employee Benefits and Leaves

Wisconsin FMLA and federal FMLA; serious health conditions; birth and adoption leave; notice and designation of leaves; intermittent and chronic condition leave requests; substitution; benefit protection; medical certification forms; FMLA/worker’s compensation/ADA leave eligibility; protected leaves; return to work; substance abuse/drug and alcohol testing and leaves; military leaves; COBRA and group health, dental, and vision benefit continuation and conversion.

Privacy and Defamation

Searches; surveillance; access and disclosure of medical and personnel records; background checks; reference checks; negligent hiring; reference releases; damages; defenses; third party liability; electronic communications; social media; off-duty conduct; personal relationships at work; dress codes.

Discipline, Separation Agreements and Unemployment Insurance

The seven questions regarding employee discipline; performance evaluations and documentation; last chance agreements; exit interviews; separation agreements and releases; documentation; unemployment insurance eligibility and fraud claims; unemployment insurance hearings; recordkeeping requirements.

Business Closing and Downsizing

Federal and State plant closing notices; reductions in force; non-discriminatory selection criteria; severance pay plans; separation or severance agreements and releases.

Labor Law

Collective Bargaining and Arbitration

Bargaining strategies and tactics; subjects for bargaining; employee rights; strikes; picketing; boycotts; corporate campaigns; lockouts; replacement workers; transfer of work, subcontracting; contract interpretation and discipline matters; grievance handling; arbitration hearings; actions to vacate, modify or enforce arbitration awards. More information.

Union Organizing, Unfair Labor Practices and Union Elections

Defending employers in union organizing attempts; duty to bargain in good faith; employer’s right to operate during a labor dispute; employees’ right to work; no solicitation rules; social media policies; surveillance; protected and concerted activity; union elections.
More information.

Retiree Medical and Pension Liability

Modifying and/or eliminating retiree medical benefits for existing or future retirees; freezing or terminating defined benefit pension plans; assessing and challenging withdrawal liability assessments from multiemployer pension plans and delinquent contribution audits and actions brought by multiemployer fringe benefit funds; rejecting or modifying collective bargaining agreements or modifying or eliminating fringe benefit obligations related to retiree medical or pension plans in bankruptcy court.

About Us

Krukowski & Costello, S.C., represents management in labor and employment law—exclusively. Our firm is considered a “boutique” law firm in that we limit our practice to labor and employment, representing only employers. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, we represent employers in a diverse range of industries throughout the United States. We work with employers to develop practical, creative and efficient methods to prevent employment disputes and we aggressively litigate those that cannot be resolved. Our attorneys have in-depth knowledge and experience in all employment law and labor law areas.

We also publish the Employment Law Manual for Wisconsin Employers, updated annually, and the FMLA Manual for Wisconsin Employers. We offer training and seminars on a wide variety of employment and labor law topics for human resource professionals, supervisors, managers, business owners, and in-house counsel.

Announcements

Recent Developments in Employment Law for Wisconsin Employers

Full-day programs in Pewaukee, Eau Claire, Madison, Appleton & Brookfield.

More details.

Employment Law Manual for Wisconsin Employers

Completely revised & updated for 2013. Order your copy today.
More details.

FMLA for Wisconsin Employers

Completely revised & updated for 2013. Order your copy today.
More details.

Learn more about customized training

On-site, live audio or live video available. You choose the topics.
More details.

Our Office

Historic Location

Ample Parking

Comfortable Lobby

High Tech Conference Rooms

Krukowski & Costello, S.C. is committed to providing our clients the best possible service.
- Thomas P. Krukowski, Attorney/Founding Shareholder

Why Choose Us?

Krukowski & Costello, S.C., represents management in labor and employment law—exclusively. Our firm is considered a “boutique” law firm in that we limit our practice to labor and employment, representing only employers in a diverse range of industries throughout the United States. We are headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin..

Our Strengths

We work with employers to develop practical, creative and efficient methods to prevent employment disputes and we aggressively litigate those that cannot be resolved. Our attorneys have in-depth knowledge and experience in all employment law and labor law areas.

Our Mission

Our goal is to serve our corporate clients with superior professionalism. We pride ourselves in identifying client needs and satisfying those needs with prompt, accurate, thorough and responsive legal advice. We are committed to providing employers with the best possible service and helping them to prosper.

Our History

Krukowski & Costello, S.C. has represented employers in labor and employment law exclusively since 1979. In July 2011, we relocated our headquarters to the 21-acre former Pabst Brewery complex, now called “The Brewery,” one of downtown Milwaukee’s largest ongoing commercial real estate developments. Read more.