HR Companies & HR Consultants in Long Island City, NY

Stephen D. Hans & Associates, P.C. is an employment and labor law practice based in Long Island City, Queens, that works on the management side for smaller and mid-sized employers across the New York City metropolitan area.

Buyers should know that this is a law firm rather than a stand-alone HR consultancy: its human resources consulting is delivered by attorneys and sits alongside litigation defense, government agency representation and union-related work. For an employer that wants HR guidance and legal counsel from one team, that combination is the main draw.

HR consulting and compliance

The firm's advisory work is built around prevention. Its lawyers help business owners understand what federal, New York State and New York City rules require of them, then shape internal policies to cut the chance of claims. Areas covered include:

• Writing and reviewing employee handbooks
• Auditing and revising personnel policies
• Training on discrimination and harassment prevention for supervisors and staff
• Guidance on discipline, hiring, terminations and exit interviews
• Setting up recordkeeping systems and incident report forms
• Reviews of pay practices for wage and hour compliance
• Advice on FMLA and ADA leave and accommodation requests

Litigation and agency representation

When disputes arise, the firm defends employers against claims of discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment), retaliation, whistleblowing and unpaid wages or overtime. It appears in state and federal courts and before administrative bodies such as the NLRB, the New York State Division of Human Rights, and the federal and state labor departments.

It also drafts and negotiates employment contracts and severance agreements, and it represents management in union grievances, arbitrations and collective bargaining. According to its profile, much of its wage and hour defense ends in negotiation or mediation, and the team has handled such sessions on a frequent basis.

Background

Founder Stephen D. Hans started practicing employment law in 1979 as counsel for the Amalgamated Transit Union, which represented New York City bus operators, and he took part in the talks that ended the 1980 transit strike.

He chaired the Queens County Bar Association in 1990, joined the state's Appellate Division grievance committee in 2011, served as counsel to a subcommittee of the State Assembly's Transportation Committee, and has also taken on mediator roles in cases handled by other firms.

Having originally represented workers as well, the practice later narrowed its focus to defending smaller businesses after recognizing how few experienced lawyers served that market. Clients defended over the years include restaurants, construction contractors, retailers, medical practices and law firms, and the site features a testimonial from the Queens Botanical Garden, a not-for-profit client of fifteen years.

How it works with clients

The firm's stated approach is to help owners grasp the legal and financial stakes early and to pursue a quick, cost-conscious resolution, then follow up with compliance planning and education so that similar problems do not recur.

It advertises flexible billing arrangements and fee options tailored to each client, will meet either at its own office or at the client's workplace, and keeps hours that adjust to client schedules. Its location in the Long Island City business district is convenient for employers in the other boroughs, on Long Island and in Westchester.