Madalene A.B. Witterholt

Building employment relationships from the beginning

Madalene Witterholt brings a comprehensive, hands-on approach to labor and employment law, advising clients throughout the entire employment relationship, from applications, hiring and I-9 compliance through workplace policies, compensation, discipline, accommodations, investigations and separation. She works with employers of all sizes and across multiple industries, often developing long-standing relationships that span decades and following key personnel when they move from one company to another. Her goal remains straightforward: identify risks early, address them practically and give clients the confidence to know when—and why—to call her.

Converting legal issues into practical decisions

Known for her ability to “translate from Legal to English,” Madalene gives clients direct, understandable advice without burying them in legal jargon. She takes the time to understand how a company operates and tailors her recommendations accordingly, recognizing that the right solution for a 12-person business may look very different from the right solution for a 500-person employer. Her clients value her accessibility, responsiveness and willingness to tackle difficult questions without judgment or unnecessary drama.

Managing risk before problems escalate

Madalene approaches employment law as a continuum of risk management rather than a series of isolated legal emergencies. She regularly advises employers on employee handbooks, policies, job descriptions, wage and hour classifications, OSHA compliance, safety programs, NLRB compliance, FMLA and ADA issues, reductions in force, employment agreements, internal investigations and return-to-work matters. She also assists employers facing audits and investigations by the U.S. Department of Labor, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Occupational Safety and Health Administration, helping clients understand what regulators need and how to respond when the stakes are high.

Navigating administrative agencies and complex disputes

Madalene has developed substantial experience dealing with the administrative side of employment law, including EEOC charges and mediations, DOL investigations and negotiations, OSHA investigations and whistleblower matters, and issues involving the National Labor Relations Board and organized labor. That experience gives her an unusually broad perspective when a workplace issue moves beyond ordinary employment advice. She also represents employers in state and federal litigation involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour claims, FMLA and ADA matters, WARN Act issues and other employment disputes.

Bringing seen-it-all experience to litigation

When litigation can’t be avoided, Madalene draws on extensive trial and appellate experience to defend employers through every stage of a dispute. Her practice encompasses federal and state court litigation, administrative proceedings, workers’ compensation defense and general civil litigation, including unusual matters that don’t fit neatly into a practice-area box. She prepares clients for depositions and trial testimony with the same straightforward approach she brings to everyday counseling: explain what to expect, identify where the risks lie and develop a practical path forward.

Walking the workplace instead of just reading about it

Madalene believes effective employment counsel needs to understand more than the law; lawyers need to understand the workplace. She has walked manufacturing lines, visited oil-field operations, and worked directly with employees and managers to understand how policies function in practice. That hands-on perspective helps her spot potential problems that may never appear in a personnel file and gives her credibility with everyone from foremen to senior executives.

Standing ready when problems arrive

Appreciating that clients want and deserve reliable responsiveness, Madalene has built her practice around being there when clients need her, including when an issue arrives unexpectedly and outside ordinary business hours. Whether an employer needs help with a routine personnel question, a government investigation, an internal crisis or a difficult decision involving an employee, she responds with the same combination of persistence, tenacity and practical judgment. Her philosophy is simple: She doesn’t want to run a client’s business; she wants to help make sure the client has a business to run.