Clare M. Sproule, Esq.

Labor and Employment Attorney, Mediator and Arbitrator
The Law Office of Clare M. Sproule
3056 Riverside Drive
Wantagh, NY 11793
Phone:
516-804-5598
Fax:
516-804-5598
Email:

Professional Work History:

LEGAL EXPERIENCE Law Firms The Law Office of Clare M. Sproule ? Solo Practitioner (2009 to present) Hoey, King, Epstein, Prezioso & Marquez ? Of Counsel (2012 to 2014) Epstein, Becker & Green, P.C., New York, NY ? Senior Attorney, Contract Partner, (1997 to 2009) Pearlman& Chosnek, Lafayette, IN ? Associate (1992 to 1994) Barnes & Thornburg, Indianapolis, IN - Summer Associate, Associate (1988 to 1992) Employment Law ? Litigation and Advice and Counsel ? Represent both employers and employees in labor and employment cases in state and federal courts, including employment discrimination, ERISA, FMLA, FLSA and other similar cases. Handle all aspects of litigation including taking depositions, conducting discovery, writing and arguing motions and handling witnesses at trial. Supervise associates and paralegals throughout cases. Successful in resolving employment cases through motion practice and/or favorable settlements. Brief and argue appeals in state and federal appeals courts. ? Litigate other employment related cases arising out of employee terminations in state and federal court including claims involving false arrest, defamation, unjust termination, breach of contract, ?whistleblower? claims, and constitutional deprivation of rights. ? Investigate, gather facts and write positions statements to the EEOC, the SDHR and other administrative agencies. Appear at administrative agencies for hearings, fact-finding conferences, and settlement conferences. Handle wage/hour audits by the DOL, including negotiating settlements when appropriate. ? Counsel clients in all aspects of employment law, including discrimination issues, termination decisions, employee benefits questions, employment contracts and compliance with the FMLA, ADA, WARN Act, USERRA, COBRA, ERISA and OFCCP?s regulations. Draft and review employee handbooks and policies, employment agreements, severance agreements, releases and other employment related documents. ? Regularly present harassment and other training programs and seminar presentations, and prepare other written materials to effectively explain and communicate employment law issues to employers and employees. Traditional Labor Law ? Litigate traditional labor issues in state and federal court such as seeking injunctions and filing petitions to vacate and/or enforce arbitration awards. ? Arbitrate discipline and contract interpretation cases for large and small employers. ? Handle NLRB charges for clients, including defending charges and filing unfair labor practice charges on their behalf against unions. ? Answer traditional labor law questions for clients, including picketing, strike and negotiation issues. In-house General Corporate and Employment Law Golden Rule Insurance Company, Indianapolis, Indiana - Corporate Attorney (1994 to 1997) ? Advised the Human Resources Department on all employment related issues including discipline, termination, employee benefits, employee contracts, employment discrimination and harassment training programs. Reviewed and approved employee handbook, employment policies, and all employment related forms, memoranda and other announcements sent to employees by the Human Resources Department. ? Supervised outside counsel in all employment related litigation and other employment related matters in an effort to keep outside legal costs under control. ? Negotiated all contracts, including vendor contracts, software licensing agreements, equipment leases, managed care contracts, PPO agreements, physician and hospital agreements, sponsored marketing agreements, broker agreements and general agent agreements. Made recommended modifications and participated in all follow up discussions until completed. Supervised paralegal in the maintenance of the contract notification system. ? Handled general corporate matters such as trademarks, copyrights, records retention, garnishments, compliance and assist General Counsel with other issues that arose. ? Assumed responsibilities as Compliance Officer and provided advice and counsel on all compliance issues for both the Life and Health insurance divisions of the company, including advice on such issues as advertising, record-keeping and broker-dealer compliance.

Dispute Resolution Experience

ADR EXPERIENCE ? Member of the American Arbitration Association Storm Sandy Mediation Panel, April 2013 to present. Mediated more than 40 cases as a member of this panel. ? Member of the Southern District of New York?s Alternate Dispute Resolution Mediation Panel, February 2012 to present. Mediated more than 7 cases as a member of this panel (both employment law and ?1983 cases). ? Arbitrator/Mediator for New York and Nassau Counties Part 137 Attorney/Client Fee Disputes, December 2010 to present. Mediated two cases and arbitrated more than 10 cases as a member of these panels.

Cornell University Dispute Resolution Training (Course titles and dates taken)

CORNELL UNIVERSITY ADR TRAINING ? Arbitration Award Writing, Cornell University ILR School Scheinman Institute on Dispute Resolution, May 17-18, 2012. ? Mediating and Arbitrating in the Federal and Public Sectors, Cornell University ILR School Scheinman Institute on Dispute Resolution, March 13-15, 2012. ? Ethics in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Cornell University ILR School Scheinman Institute on Dispute Resolution, February 13-14, 2012. ? Employment Law Arbitrator Training, Cornell University ILR School Scheinman Institute on Dispute Resolution, December 14-16, 2011. ? Employment Law Mediator Training, Cornell University ILR School Scheinman Institute on Dispute Resolution, November 14-18, 2011. ? Conflict Coaching in the Workplace, Cornell University ILR School Scheinman Institute on Dispute Resolution, October 19-20, 2011. ? The Practice and Profession of Dispute Resolution, Cornell University ILR School Scheinman Institute on Dispute Resolution, October 17-18, 2011.

Other Dispute Resolution Training

OTHER ADR TRAINING ? Attorney Fee Dispute Arbitrator Training at New York County Bar Association, November 9, 2010. ? New York State Division of Human Rights Volunteer Mediator Training, October 22, 2010. ? Dispute Resolution Mediation Training Program, New York State Bar Association, March 15-17, 2010.

Professional Associations

NYSBA - Dispute Resolution Section

Education

EDUCATION Indiana University School of Law, Indianapolis, J.D. magna cum laude, May 1989; Law Review Cornell University, School of Industrial and Labor Relations, B.S., May 1977

Fee Policy

$250/hour for all time expended on a case, including reading submissions, writing opinions or awards, telephone conversations, and time spent at mediations or arbitrations, including travel time. Will accept mediations and/or arbitrations that have set fees.