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Taylor Porter labor and employment law attorneys Vicki Crochet, Partner and Practice Team Leader, and Tom Peak, Partner, were interviewed in a Baton Rouge Business Report article, "Specifics Remain to be Seen, But Most Expect Significant Labor Law Changes Under President Trump," published on April 26.

​The publication interviewed several attorneys across the Baton Rouge area on topics such as overtime rules, minimum wage, foreign workers, maternity leave, federal judiciary, discrimination concerns, and changes under the EEOC, NLRB and OSHA.

Crochet and Peak said they expect to see less emphasis on protecting the LGBT community from discrimination. Peak anticipates the appointments of more business-friendly federal judges, from the U.S. Supreme Court on down. The Senate’s Republican majority held up many of former President Barack Obama’s appointees, leaving Trump with the opportunity to fill more than 100 vacancies on the federal bench. Appointees to the National Labor Relations Board have staggered terms, so it will take time for Trump to reshape the board, Peak says. But a less union-friendly NLRB might have a chance to end expedited “quickie elections” for workplace unionization, stop permitting “micro-units” to represent certain departments of larger companies, and roll back the recent expansion of the “joint employer standard.” While the president can’t change the law without Congress, the executive branch has broad discretion over federal contracting. The Obama administration raised the minimum wage for federal contractors to $10.20 per hour and prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender.

Practicing law since 1980, Crochet serves as the Chair of the Taylor Porter Employment and Labor Law and Discrimination Litigation practice. She has been selected for inclusion in Chambers USA, Best Lawyers, and Louisiana Super Lawyers in Labor and Employment Law. In 2006, Crochet was recognized among Baton Rouge Business Report's "Influential Women in Business," for both her professional accomplishments and contributions to the community. Crochet advises clients regarding policies and procedures; representing them before governmental agencies including the EEOC, OFCCP, the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights (LCHR), and the Louisiana Civil Service Commission; and handling all aspects of employment litigation. Crochet has also conducted employee training and is a frequent lecturer on employment law issues.

​Practicing law since 1984, Peak practices in labor and employment law, including employee benefits litigation (ERISA and COBRA), employment eligibility and certification (under the immigration laws), workers' compensation (representing management), and OSHA matters. He also represents clients in higher education law. He has presented seminar topics on labor and employment law, including sexual harassment, discrimination, labor certification, employment eligibility issues, family medical leave, workers compensation and Wage and Hour law for the Baton Rouge Bar Association, the National Business Institute, the Louisiana Chapter of the International Personnel Management Association, and Louisiana State University. He has authored articles in the Baton Rouge Business Report on subjects including employee privacy issues and employee payment issues.