|
Laura A. Candris is Senior Counsel to Meyer, Unkovic & Scott LLP and the former chair of the firm's Employment Law & Employee Benefits Group. Since 1978, Ms. Candris’ practice has focused on labor and employment law and related litigation. She has defended discrimination claims (race, age, disability, sex, sexual harassment, etc.), and other employment and employee benefit claims in state courts, in federal courts in 11 states and in courts of appeals, as well as before state and federal EEO agencies in numerous jurisdictions. Ms. Candris regularly counsels employers concerning such matters as compliance with employment laws, employment policies, employee handbooks, contracts with executives, other employees and independent contractors (including non-compete agreements), negotiated separations, workforce reductions, investigations of discrimination, harassment, and other employee misconduct, wage and hour issues, workplace torts, affirmative action and union organization. She regularly conducts training programs for supervisory and management personnel. Additionally, Ms. Candris has extensive experience with labor contract negotiations, labor arbitrations, and NLRB proceedings. Ms. Candris is a frequent lecturer for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute (PBI) and other CLE providers, as well as business groups, on employment law, the Americans with Disabilities Act and litigation topics and has authored or co-authored three dozen articles on employment law. Ms. Candris has been listed in every edition of Who’s Who in American Law since 1987 and in Who’s Who in America since 1992. A National Merit Foundation Scholar, Ms. Candris received her A.B., with distinction and departmental honors, from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky in 1975. She attended the law schools of the Universities of Pittsburgh and Florida and received her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1978. Ms. Candris began practicing law in Florida in 1978 and remains an active member of the Florida Bar. Prior to joining Meyer, Unkovic & Scott LLP in February 1996, Ms. Candris was a partner in Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, and was Vice Chairman of its Labor & Employment Law Department. Ms. Candris is a member of the Labor & Employment Section (EEO Committee) and Litigation Section (Employment Law Committee) of the ABA; the Pennsylvania Bar Association (Employment Law Section), the Florida Bar, the Allegheny County Bar Association (Member, Labor Section; President-elect of Federal Courts Section, Council on Professionalism; Headquarters Committee and Personnel Subcommittee), and the Pittsburgh Human Resources Association. Ms. Candris has served on the Board of Directors of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh since 1998. Since 2001, she has been a member of the Executive Committee. She was recently elected Vice President-Administration (President-elect) of the Board of Directors of the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh. From 1990 to 2001, Ms. Candris served on the Board of Directors of the Parent & Child Guidance Center or its affiliates. In 1998, Ms. Candris served as Vice President of that Board and in 1999, Ms. Candris was President of that Board. For 2000-2001, Ms. Candris was Board Secretary. From February 2000 to March 2001, Ms. Candris was a member of the Boards of Directors and of the Executive Committees of Family Links, Inc. and the Whale’s Tale. From 1991 to 1996, Ms. Candris was a member of the Board of Directors of SMC Business Councils and its predecessor organizations. During 1993, she served as Vice Chairman, Treasurer of that Board. From 1986 to 1990, Ms. Candris was an elected member of Council of the Township of O’Hara. She was an appointed member of the Township’s Planning Commission in 1990. |
