Shannon D. Farmer - Ballard Spahr

Shannon Farmer, partner at Ballard Spahr, represents public and private employers in labor and employment matters. She defends employers in civil rights claims, and provides advice and training in employment policies and other human resources needs. Additionally, she conducts collective bargaining negotiations and interest arbitrations.

Farmer has been published numerous times by The Legal Intelligencer, Bloomberg, and other publications, including Ballard Spahr's blog.  She also speaks regularly for The American Arbitration Association University, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, National Employment Law Institute, City of Philadelphia, and Ballard Spahr webinars.

Labor/Union Matters: Farmer handles collective bargaining negotiations and interest arbitrations, defends companies against unfair labor practice charges before state and federal labor boards, represents companies in a variety of grievance arbitrations involving discipline and contract interpretation matters, appeals awards of labor arbitrators who have exceeded their authority or imposed awards in violation of public policy.

Wage and Hour Matters: Farmer defends employers against various wage and hour claims, including FLMA, state minimum wage laws and wage payment and collection laws, state administrative agencies and federal court, and the Department of Labor. She also assists companies in their own compliance audits and recommends proactive steps to avoid litigation and limit liability.

Employment Discrimination and Civil Rights Matters: Farmer defends companies and their employers against civil rights claims.  These include employment discrimination, defamation claims in state and federal court, and civil rights claims.

Advice, Agreements, Policies and Training: Farmer assists employers with their human resources, advice and training needs. This includes FLMA policies, drug and alcohol use and testing, electronic use policy, among others. She can advise on FMLA, employee termination, harassment investigations, wage and hour, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.  She drafts employment, separation, and confidentiality and/or noncompete agreements.  She also trains human resources staff, supervisors and employees on various employment related topics.