Russell R. Bruch

Russell manages complex wage and hour compliance reviews, particularly related to pay practice and classification reviews. He collaborates with clients to develop compliant compensation programs, create practical policies and practices, revise payroll practices and calculation methods, review position classifications, and coordinate messaging and training to communicate changes to the workforce.

Russell also represents clients through all stages of wage and hour litigation involving a range of allegations, including misclassification, improper calculation of overtime compensation, misapplication of the tip credit for tipped workers, “off-the-clock” work, and joint employment liability with respect to wage and hour claims.

Russell advises clients in diverse sectors on compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), state wage and hour issues, per diem issues, and wage payment requirements. He also counsels on employment policies and procedures, hiring and termination issues, and executive employment contracts in order to help clients avoid claims and litigation. Russell serves as a co-lead of both the firm’s wage and hour litigation practice and Independent Contractor Task Force.

Through his experience conducting numerous comprehensive internal wage and hour audits for clients, Russell helps to properly classify employees as exempt or nonexempt, and to bring other wage and hour and wage payment practices into compliance.

He also conducts board-level independent investigations of alleged code of conduct violations, workplace harassment claims, and whistleblower allegations.