Ian Carleton Schaefer is a partner in the Labor and Employment Practice Group in the firm's New York office.
Areas of Practice
When companies face their most existential, global workplace management and crises management matters impacting reputation, Ian is the first-call.
Whether investigating public or private allegations of individual or organizational misconduct, serving as strategic advisor on major workforce restructurings, shepherding clients through reputation management issues, conducting sensitive workplace audits around classification and pay equity, or facilitating complex C-suite transitions through executive compensation and employee relations strategies, Ian’s practical, no-nonsense, business-enabling, and results-driven approach transforms challenging legal issues into impactful, business solutions.
Fortune 100 companies, professional sports leagues and member clubs, media giants, performing arts organizations, financial and professional services institutions and emerging companies alike all turn to Ian for his “Go-To Thought Leadership” (National Law Review) and innovative solutions to enrich their workplaces. Blending nearly two decades of practice in labor and employment law with his salient in-house counsel perspective, and coupled with his appreciation of the human experience, Ian takes pride in helping employers anticipate and respond to the impact of world events, social justice movements (#MeToo; BLM; Pay Equity), and an ever-evolving legal and digital landscape (AI and Pay Transparency). Viewing thorny legal situations through the prism of business opportunity, Ian partners with employers to realize their strategic visions and become best in class people-organizations. He is also regularly called upon by numerous media outlets – including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Politico, Bloomberg Law, CBS, PBS, SHRM and Law360 – as a go-to source for his unique insight with respect to cutting edge issues impacting the modern workplace.
