The Stokes Lawrence Employment team helps organizations navigate sensitive, high-pressure employment issues that often arise quickly and, if not appropriately managed, risk tremendous disruption to an organization. This includes managing complex executive exits, coordinating stakeholders, and protecting reputational and operational stability.
working with employers during sensitive times
We work with employers facing urgent and highly sensitive employment challenges in moments of heightened emotion and risk. These organizations—private companies, nonprofits, and mission-driven institutions—turn to us for steady, strategic guidance when personnel issues escalate and require discretion, coordination, and rapid problem-solving.
Direction When It Matters Most
Experienced organizational leaders know all too well what these urgent matters can look like. Human resources receives a complaint about an executive engaging in alleged misconduct. Government officials show up at the workplace with papers demanding access to employees and documents. An anonymous post on the company’s social media page discloses confidential information and disparages leadership. A media story breaks that risks reputational harm and potential legal action.
Leadership teams navigating these issues often face intense scrutiny, competing stakeholder interests, and the need to manage media, board expectations, and internal communications simultaneously. In these moments, clients need counsel who can not only navigate the legal landscape but also protect the organization’s credibility and provide clear direction when emotions and tensions are high.
Building the Strategy, Together
We partner closely with leadership and, if necessary, public relations teams to develop an integrated strategy. Our work includes partnering on detailed factual investigations, conducting comprehensive risk assessments, developing clear action items, and coordinating messaging in dynamic environments where events are unfolding rapidly.
One representative engagement involved supporting a national nonprofit umbrella organization through a high-profile executive exit stemming from allegations of a hostile work environment and race discrimination. The situation required collaboration across multiple prominent stakeholders, including public figures, and precise management of both internal and external narratives.
Another example of this work involved employees’ allegations of sexual harassment against a well-known business owner, divulged through a series of social media posts and subsequent news stories. We also supported an organization navigating an employee’s publicized complaint of race discrimination at a time when workplace tensions were already elevated, requiring a thoughtful, steady approach to maintain stability and credibility.
Outcomes That Move Organizations Forward
Through careful understanding of the issues and unique dynamics of their work environments, we have guided countless clients through periods of tremendous challenge. Our approach minimizes public exposure, reduces legal risk, and allows organizations to move forward with stability and clarity.
This work underscores our ability to manage high-pressure situations requiring strategic foresight, diplomacy, and steady advocacy—especially when reputational stakes are high, and trust must be maintained across diverse audiences.
