Business Details
42 Years
experience
Your Trusted Labor & Employment Law Advocates in Syracuse
Satter Ruhlen Law Firm has been a steadfast advocate for working people since 1984, combining over four decades of experience with a commitment to personalized legal representation. Our practice focuses exclusively on labor law and employment law, serving unions and individual employees across Upstate New York. We pride ourselves on delivering competent, aggressive legal advocacy while maintaining the compassionate approach of a small firm. Our attorneys have a proven track record in high-stakes cases, including landmark victories in employment discrimination, union arbitration, and professional licensing disputes.We are recognized as one of Central New York's most effective employee-side firms, consistently upholding the rights of workers through litigation, negotiation, and strategic counsel. Our team brings deep expertise in navigating complex labor regulations, employment contracts, and workplace rights, ensuring clients receive both legal excellence and ethical representation.
Services
Labor Law
Employment Law
Union Representation
Employment Contracts
Discrimination Claims
Details
- Year established: 1984
Highlights and features
- We have over 40 years of experience in labor and employment law.
- Our firm exclusively represents unions and individual workers, never employers.
- We combine aggressive litigation with personalized, compassionate client service.
- Our attorneys have secured landmark verdicts, including a $2 million jury award.
- We offer strategic counsel for complex employment contracts and union negotiations.
What people say
Secured $2 million jury verdict
Successful union arbitration victories
Expertise in employment contracts
Dedicated to workers' rights
Personalized legal representation
Services
Labor Law
Satter Ruhlen Law Firm provides comprehensive labor law representation for unions across industries. Our attorneys handle contract negotiations, arbitration, unfair labor practice charges, and representation cases before the NLRB and PERB. We specialize in defending union members' rights in disciplinary actions, grievance procedures, and collective bargaining agreements. With decades of experience in public and private sector labor disputes, we ensure unions maintain strong legal standing while advancing workers' interests through strategic litigation and proactive counsel.
Employment Law
Our employment law practice protects individual workers in discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination cases. We handle claims related to race, gender, age, disability, and whistleblower protections under federal and state laws. Our services include negotiating severance agreements, challenging non-compete clauses, and litigating wage and hour violations. We represent clients before the EEOC, New York State Division of Human Rights, and federal courts, ensuring employees receive fair treatment and compensation for workplace injustices.
Union Representation
We offer specialized legal support for union operations, including arbitration defense, contract enforcement, and member representation. Our attorneys assist with grievance procedures, disciplinary hearings, and negotiations for fair labor agreements. We represent unions in diverse sectors such as healthcare, education, and public safety, focusing on maintaining workplace equity and protecting collective bargaining rights through strategic legal interventions and policy advocacy.
Employment Contracts
Our firm provides expert counsel on employment contract drafting, negotiation, and dispute resolution. We help clients understand restrictive covenants, non-compete clauses, and severance packages while ensuring fair compensation terms. We advise on fee-shifting provisions and contractual obligations to prevent future legal conflicts, offering tailored solutions that protect employees' professional interests in both individual and corporate employment contexts.
Discrimination Claims
We specialize in combating workplace discrimination based on protected characteristics including race, gender, religion, and disability. Our services cover harassment claims, reasonable accommodation disputes, and retaliation cases under Title VII and state human rights laws. We guide clients through EEOC filings, mediation, and litigation to secure justice for systemic discrimination, ensuring workplaces uphold legal standards of equality and inclusion.
People
Mimi C. Satter
Founding Attorney
Mimi C. Satter has practiced union-side labor and plaintiffs' employment law since 1977. She founded Satter Ruhlen Law Firm in 1984 after working with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and Blitman & King. Her career spans decades of advocating for workers' rights in complex labor disputes and employment litigation.
Sarah E. Ruhlen
Attorney
Sarah E. Ruhlen specializes in employment law and union representation, admitted to practice in New York and Pennsylvania. She holds memberships in the National Employment Lawyers Association and AFL-CIO Lawyers Coordinating Committee. Her practice focuses on discrimination claims, workplace safety, and collective bargaining agreements.
McKenzie Coufal
Office Manager
McKenzie Coufal manages daily operations at Satter Ruhlen Law Firm while working as a real estate salesperson. A SUNY Oswego graduate with a BA in English and Communications, she ensures seamless client coordination and administrative support for the firm's legal team.
Questions
What types of cases does Satter Ruhlen Law Firm handle?
We specialize in labor law cases for unions and employment law matters for individuals, including discrimination claims, employment contracts, and workplace harassment disputes.
How do I schedule a consultation with your firm?
Contact us at 315-471-0405 or complete our online form to schedule a consultation. We'll review your case and discuss potential legal strategies during the meeting.
What makes your firm different from other employment law practices?
We exclusively represent workers and unions, never employers. Our 40+ years of experience combine aggressive litigation with personalized service focused on protecting employees' rights.
Do you offer contingency fee arrangements?
Yes, we may offer contingency fees depending on case strength and potential recovery. We'll discuss payment options during your initial consultation.
How do you handle union-related legal matters?
We provide comprehensive support for unions, including contract negotiations, arbitration defense, and member representation in disciplinary proceedings and grievance procedures.
What should I bring to my initial consultation?
Bring relevant documents like employment contracts, workplace communications, and policy handbooks. Prepare a chronological summary of events to help us assess your case efficiently.
