Sarver Law Firm, PLLC

04/20/2026

** It's our 25th anniversary in business! **

On April 16, 2001, I sat down at my dining room table of a 2nd floor apartment in Astoria that I rented, my laptop open, along with a spiral notebook, pen and paper, to start the first day of The Law Offices of Eric M. Sarver (currently, Sarver Law Firm, PLLC). A fax machine / printer / copier sat on a small table nearby.

Back then, I told myself I would try to make it on my own for a couple of years, and if I were not happy with self-employment, then I would reevaluate my decision. Looking at this post, you know how that story turned out.

25 years have gone by, and with them, many, many changes: my clients, my business model, means of networking and advertising (I recall faxing advertisements to a print publication in 2001 and 2002!) There were / are many people who helped me along the way -- too many to tag in this post -- for whom I am eternally grateful.

If you run a small or midsize business, or a non-profit organization, and you are looking for an employment law / business lawyer who: (a) knows the law, and (b) knows firsthand what it is like to hang your own shingle, feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]. Or fill out a client intake form on our website at www.sarver-law.com.

01/27/2026

While we may gradually stop saying "Happy New Year" in our emails and posts, NYS-based business owners and employers must address the new 2026 employment laws in New York State.

This AMNY article nicely summarizes the four substantial changes in New York State employment laws this year (see article, below).

How can you keep up with *all* of the new and changing federal, state, and municipal labor and employment laws? Contact Sarver Law Firm, PLLC for legal guidance, clarity, and direction. We handle compliance with labor and employment laws, along with drafting employment-related legal documents, and litigation defense if your business is being sued (or threatened with litigation) by current or former employees.

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed Senate Bill S3398 into law to amend the New York State Human Rights Law (HRL) because that law was silent on whether requesting a

01/14/2026

Most of us have heard the saying, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." How does that translate in employment law?

When employers (including small and midsized businesses and nonprofit organizations) spend a moderate amount of money hiring law firms (like Sarver Law Firm, PLLC) to provide proactive compliance with wage and hour laws, that often leads to clarity, properly structured overtime pay, and a lack of grounds for individual or class action lawsuits from current and former employees. The legal fee for that service is quite affordable (the "ounce of prevention").

However, when businesses and nonprofit organizations skip the proactive compliance step and then inadvertently violate wage and hour laws, that could lead to hefty verdicts or US Department of Labor fines and penalties, such as the $320,000 awarded against a roofing & painting company in California (see article, attached). That's the "pound of cure" that costs *far more than* the fee for an employment law compliance engagement.

Not thrilled about possible six-figure awards against your business? Sarver Law Firm, PLLC can help. Leave the legal to us while you focus on business development, growth, and customer/client satisfaction.

A California contractor will pay more than $320,000 after federal investigators found overtime violations tied to off-the-clock work.

01/05/2026

Happy New Year! As employers in NYS enter 2026, there are important new NYS and NYC employment laws that you need to know about -- including the expansion of the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act, or ESSTA.

Starting Feb. 22, employers in New York City will be required to provide workers with 32 hours of unpaid safe/sick time, in addition to paid safe/sick time (see article, below). The law also expands the reasons employees can use paid safe/sick time.

Questions about employment law compliance? Contact Sarver Law Firm, PLLC for your employment law and business law needs.

New York City and the state will enact several new laws in 2026, primarily pertaining to employment, health care and consumer protection.

12/23/2025

https://conta.cc/3MJyiZD

Email from The Law Offices of Eric M. Sarver Wishing Health and Happiness To You and Your Family... Season's Greetings to You and Yours! Sarver Law Firm, PLLC wishes all of our clients, colleagues, of

12/23/2025

Sarver Law Firm, PLLC wishes all of our clients, colleagues, of-counsel attorneys, and trusted advisors a joyful and healthy holiday
season and a happy new year. Thank you for entrusting our firm with your employment law and business law matters. We look forward to serving your legal needs again in 2026 -- and celebrating our 25th anniversary in April!

11/26/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from Sarver Law Firm, PLLC!

We are grateful for our clients, colleagues, family, and friends for whom we have the pleasure of providing employment law and business law services.

Here's to everyone's continued success, health, and happiness in the future!

11/24/2025

Business Owners, do you know the legal trends for non-compete agreements for your employees?

Porschia Parker-Griffin, MS, PCC and Eric Sarver, Esq., our Managing Attorney, discussed this, among other issues, on Porschia's Podcast, Career 101 (check out a clip of our discussion, below).

.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

11/20/2025

Employers, are you up to date on recent rulings regarding arbitration clauses in your employment agreements?

In this recent ruling in the SD.N.Y. the Court held that, where the EFAA is properly invoked and applies, a pre-dispute arbitration agreement is invalid and unenforceable as to the *entire case,* not just to the sexual harassment claims.

Reversing in part a magistrate judge’s decision granting an employer’s motion to compel arbitration of a former employee’s FLSA and NYLL claims involving minimum wage and overtime allegations, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York determined that, because the employee’s case also alleged sexual harassment claims in violation of the NYSHRL and the NYCHRL, the EFAA precluded the entire case from the parties’ pre-dispute arbitration agreement.

Having employment law counsel can be crucial in times of conflict with your employees. Sarver Law Firm, PLLC


https://www.vitallaw.com/news/arbitration-s-d-n-y-wage-claims-filed-with-sexual-harassment-claims-render-entire-arbitration-agreement-unenforceable/eld01e9243d18a07646e2abcc58980419c26f?refURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F #

11/18/2025

Employers: in today's polarized society, it is vital to understand what level of protection your employees may have for their online social media posts -- and to know what circumstances might allow / call for limitations on such speech (for example, if an employee expresses certain speech from their official work identity and purports to speak on behalf of your organization, without your authority to do so).

It's a complex issue requiring a balancing of liberties, careful consideration, and guidance from experienced employment law counsel. Check out the article below for an excellent in-depth discussion.

Sarver Law Firm, PLLC

New York’s highest court has a chance to clarify what kind of social media activity is protected under the state’s labor law, but employment lawyers disagree over how broad the judges will go.