Dr. John Mahatman, JD, PhD
Managing Partner
Advisor and advocate in complex employment disputes. Combines academic rigor with pragmatic litigation strategy. Leads matters requiring confidentiality and cross-disciplinary analysis.
Measured Counsel for Complex Workplace Issues
We advise executives, professionals, founders, boards, and organizations in sensitive employment matters where discretion and rigor matter most. Our approach is straightforward: listen carefully, analyze deeply, prepare thoroughly, and advocate decisively.
- Discreet handling of high-stakes disputes
- Lean teams led by senior counsel
- Clear strategy, disciplined execution
- Resolution-focused with trial readiness
Engagement Principles
- Confidentiality from first contact
- Conflict checks before any discussion of facts
- Transparent scope and fee structures
- Pragmatic advice anchored in the record
Practice Areas
Wrongful Termination & Discrimination
Matters involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful discharge under federal and state law.
Wage & Hour
Overtime, misclassification, meal and rest breaks, and compensation disputes, including audits and investigations.
Executive Agreements
Employment, equity, and severance agreements; restrictive covenants; and transition planning for senior leaders.
Whistleblower & Retaliation
Internal reporting, government inquiries, and retaliation claims with strategic sensitivity and risk control.
Trade Secrets & Mobility
Non-competes, non-solicitation, confidentiality obligations, and employee mobility across jurisdictions.
Investigations & Compliance
Independent investigations, policy reviews, and training on respectful workplaces and regulatory compliance.
Attorneys
Sarah Whitfield, Esq.
Senior Counsel
Focus on discrimination, harassment, and retaliation matters, with extensive experience resolving disputes before trial.
David K. Morgan, Esq.
Counsel
Advises on executive agreements, restrictive covenants, and workplace investigations across regulated industries.
Titles are for identification only. Admissions and jurisdictions available upon request. No guarantees of outcome.
Representative Matters
- Resolved executive separation with negotiated equity acceleration and mutual non-disparagement.
- Guided internal investigation into harassment allegations with remedial measures and training plan.
- Defended wage-and-hour claims through targeted discovery and early resolution.
- Advised on cross-border mobility and trade secret protection during strategic hiring.
- Structured whistleblower reporting protocol aligned with regulatory expectations.
- Prepared trial-ready record leading to favorable settlement pre-voir dire.
These examples are illustrative. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Insights
Five Elements of a Defensible Investigation
Documentation, independence, scope discipline, corroboration, and proportionality—applied with care.
Negotiating Executive Transitions
Aligning incentives, clarifying obligations, and preserving reputation in sensitive separations.
Non-Competes After Recent Reforms
Assessing enforceability and alternatives in a shifting regulatory landscape.
Contact
For confidential counsel, email us. Do not include sensitive information until we confirm no conflicts and establish an engagement.
By contacting us, you agree that no attorney–client relationship is formed unless and until an engagement is confirmed in writing.
Engagement & Fees
- Matters scoped before work begins
- Alternative fees available where appropriate
- Regular status updates and clear deliverables