2020 has been a year of change and challenges for everyone. As a small business, and a law firm that works with many different companies, we know just how demanding this year has been. Through the ups and downs, our team has made us so proud this year! We want to highlight all the achievements of Team TLG through 2020.
Thank you to the entire TLG staff
This year we had to make the challenging transition to working fully remote while still serving clients. As well as serving our clients, our team successfully welcomed new members to the team, including a previous legal intern who recently completed their education and was sworn in as a new lawyer.
Our team as a whole were able to help many small businesses through the pandemic. This year we saw everything from navigating the FFCRA, to helping draft the legal and foundation documents for a litany of new entrepreneurs to start their businesses. We’re so proud of the resilience of the small business community, and we have been so happy to help our established entrepreneur clients in the protection of their brand and their growing businesses.
Our more established clients also faced challenges this year. We were involved in the negotiation of several union agreements, guided clients through Department of Labor investigations and policy updates, advised on major television projects, and successfully defended clients in high-profile litigation. We also had the opportunity to conduct numerous internal investigations in response to sexual harassment or discrimination complaints, work place misconduct or board misconduct and drafted and advised clients on policies and procedures and best practices regarding the same.
We were also able to work with charter schools through the pandemic, helping them to navigate the ever-changing guidelines.
Michelle D. Craig – Founder, CEO
This year our founder and CEO, Michelle, was focused on community. She successfully led two community organizations, the Civil Service and the Downtown Development District through a particularly difficult and challenging year. She also negotiated high-level settlements for several executive level clients, and guided our extensive small business clientele through FFCRA related issues. Michelle also presented critical information to Charter schools, small businesses, and non-profits and other clients on employment law, covid issues, education matters, DEI and other issues.
Michelle was able to accomplish all of this while also completing an ongoing Diversity and Inclusion education class “Train the trainer” at Cornell University.
Richard “Monty” Montgomery, II – Staff Attorney
2020 was focused on schools and small businesses for Monty. This year he was able to successfully draft Return to School policies so they complied with CDC guidelines for state and local laws, as well as helping TLG’s small business clients secure Trademarks from the USPTO. Monty also joined the Pathways & Pipelines committee with the GNO Martinet.
Rubi L. Brown – Staff Attorney
Rubi touched many businesses and organizations this year. She successfully led community organization, The Beautiful Foundation, Inc., as President of the Board of Directors, and joined the board of the New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce. She also presented the legislative update for NOLA SHRM’s June Legal Perk meeting, and guest lectured at Xavier University of Louisiana “Media Law and Ethics” class. Rubi was also able to help TLG clients negotiate settlements, and was able to lead our team in the addition of wills and estates as a new practice area for the firm.
Although 2020 had its challenges, we’re happy to take a moment to focus on some positive actions that happened this year. We couldn’t have done it without the spirit and engagement of the entire team! Thank you to everyone for their hard work this year!