Laura Sack

Partner

Co-Leader, East Coast Labor and Employment Law Practice

My mission is to help solve employers’ workplace-related challenges so their businesses can thrive.

Laura Sack helps employers of every size, in virtually every industry across the U.S., to create and implement employment-related practices that are legally compliant and that advance the client’s business objectives.
Drawing heavily on her own experience as in-house labor and employment counsel, Laura prides herself on delivering prompt advice to management that is practical and tailored to each client’s unique work environment and management ethos. Her advice is guided by her deep knowledge of relevant labor and employment laws, her unbridled curiosity about each employer’s unique work environment and culture, and her finely tuned instincts, which in turn draw upon her nearly 30 years of experience representing management in connection with workplace matters.

Laura represents employers in employment-related litigation in state and federal courts, at arbitration and before administrative agencies, and she designs and delivers workplace training programs on an array of topics, including anti-harassment training. She drafts and negotiates all manner of personnel-related agreements, including employment and consulting agreements, separation agreements, and settlement agreements. Laura also conducts sensitive investigations into complaints of alleged wrongdoing by senior executives and others, often at the behest of the client’s board of directors and/or general counsel.

Laura’s fierce dedication to her clients and to her craft have earned her accolades. For years, she has held an “AV Preeminent” Peer Ranking from Martindale-Hubbell. Clients recently reported to Chambers USA that Laura is "above and beyond in responsiveness and ability to talk through situations in a down-to-earth and understandable language," and that she is "incredibly smart, quick-witted, funny, and fearless." Laura was elected in 2018 as a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, and she is a member of the American Employment Law Council, an invitation-only organization limited to the nation’s top labor and employment attorneys and in-house counsel.

Practice Highlights

Counseling/compliance

Helping employers navigate the ever-changing kaleidoscope of federal, state and local laws governing their workplaces. Supporting management and human resources with prompt, practical and effective advice at every stage of the business life cycle. Conducting workplace training that works, because it is attention-grabbing and thoughtfully tailored to each employer’s unique work environment. Deftly investigating workplace complaints and concerns, often where senior executives or other key personnel have been implicated.

Negotiating/drafting

Helping employers to on-board executives and other key personnel by negotiating and drafting employment agreements that appropriately protect the employer’s interests, while simultaneously meeting the parties’ goal of coming to terms quickly. Helping employers transition personnel out without acrimony. Settling employment disputes creatively and efficiently.

Litigation

Successfully defending employment-related cases in every forum, from single-plaintiff EEO cases to wage/hour class and collective actions.

Representative Litigation Experience

*Denotes experience prior to joining Davis Wright Tremaine

Admitted to Practice

New York, 1992
U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, 1993
U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, 1993
U.S. District Court Western District of New York, 2008
U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit, 2000
U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 2006

Education

J.D., Yale Law School, 1991
A.B., Brown University, 1988, magna cum laude
- Phi Beta Kappa

Memberships & Affiliations

- Member, Board of Directors, The Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law (New York Chapter)
- Past Member, Sex and Law Committee of the New York City Bar Association
- Past Member, Editorial Advisory Board of Employment Law 360
- Volunteer Team Leader, NY Cares

Professional Recognition

- Named one of "America’s Leading Lawyers for Business" by Chambers USA in Labor and Employment (New York), 2018-2021
- Received the "Willard J. Wright Award for Outstanding Civic Activity," Davis Wright Tremaine, 2020
- Named Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, 2019
- Named Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, 2018
- Selected to Best Lawyers list of "Women of Influence," 2017
- AV Preeminent Peer Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
- Selected to "New York Super Lawyers," Thomson Reuters
- Selected to "Super Lawyers 2018 New York Metro Area Annual List of Top Women Attorneys," Thomson Reuters
- Included in "Employment Law – Management" and "Labor Law – Management," Best Lawyers in America

Background

- Shareholder, Chair of New York Labor and Employment Practice Group, Vedder Price, New York, N.Y., 2009-2014
- Partner, Kauff McClain & McGuire LLP, New York, N.Y., 1998-2009
- Senior Attorney, Human Resources Counsel, Witco Corporation, Greenwich, Connecticut, 1997-1998
- Attorney, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, N.Y., 1992-1997
- Law Clerk, Honorable Raymond J. Pettine, U.S. District Court Judge, Rhode Island District, 1991-1992

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