My clients appreciate the time I take to learn about their businesses and then craft and implement strategies that get them through difficult employment situations. Whether I am advising a small non-profit organization or a large multinational company, I don’t hesitate to tell clients when they need to stop doing one thing or start doing another, and I always advocate assertively in advancing their interests. I can put myself in others’ shoes to view things from different angles, understand their motivations and behaviors, and then create innovative solutions to complex employment issues.
Employment lawyer and corporate litigator Judith “Judy” Lockhart counsels organizations in all aspects of employment law and litigation. Judy helps clients keep their workplaces compliant with all relevant laws and regulations and guides them through hirings and difficult terminations and all things employment in between. In addition, she advises clients on alternate dispute resolution, internal investigations and general commercial litigation. In all areas, Judy emphasizes forging strong relationships with those she represents.
On the employment side of her practice, Judy provides advice to management on drafting personnel policies, employee manuals, employment contracts, confidentiality agreements, and separation and release agreements. She counsels clients on issues stemming from discrimination and sexual harassment claims, terminations, wage/hour regulations, disability laws and regulations, various leave laws, unemployment and workers compensation.
Judy also handles matters involving performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, severance issues, discrimination and harassment prevention policies, training, and investigations, reorganizations, relocations and reductions-in-force, WARN Act notifications, COBRA issues, and COVID-19 response.
Litigating for U.S. and overseas corporate clients in federal and state courts, arbitral tribunals, and federal and state administrative agencies, Judy advocates in disputes centering on claims of Title VII/employment discrimination, breach of contract, and wrongful termination. She also handles cases that arise from disputes about contracts, commercial matters, health law conflicts, and products liability and toxic torts.
When alternative dispute resolution is the best course for her clients, Judy advises them in private arbitrations and mediations, as well as those involving the American Arbitration Association (AAA), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the International Center for Dispute Resolution (ICDR).
No matter what her clients are dealing with, Judy finds it highly satisfying to talk through issues and determine the optimal way to solve their problems, even when they are not legal in nature. She looks for ways to best serve those she represents, including helping them change their corporate cultures to make better workplaces for employees or putting them in touch with people who would be valuable additions to their social and business networks.
Judy has an educational background in business administration and served as managing partner of Carter Ledyard for 15 years. She infuses her keen appreciation for business concerns and management perspectives into her practice.