Employment Decisions Based on Background Checks
Protecting Your Rights under New Mexico’s “Ban-the-Box” Laws
Over the past few years, it’s become commonplace for many employers to include a box on their employment applications, requiring those seeking jobs to check the box if they’ve been arrested or convicted of any crime. Often, those who check the box are immediately disqualified for consideration for employment.
As part of a national movement to provide more work opportunities for individuals who have made mistakes in their lives, New Mexico has adopted “ban-the-box” legislation. The new law prohibits employers from asking questions or making certain inquiries about prior criminal records at the time of the initial application. The legislation does not prevent employers from conducting criminal background checks, but postpones such actions until later in the hiring process.
If a potential employer has asked you about prior criminal history before extending an interview, or if you have been denied the opportunity to apply for a job and you believe it’s because the employer improperly obtained information about your prior criminal record, we can help.
At the offices of Buchanan Law Firm, LLC we have more than 20 years of experience handling a broad range of employment law issues. Though our primary offices are in Albuquerque, we can meet with you in person anywhere in New Mexico. Though attorney Deena Buchanan has successfully handled employment law matters in more than 20 states, the bulk of our practice is focused in New Mexico. We have a comprehensive understanding to the laws and courts in the Land of Opportunity, and we know how the judges here try employment law disputes. Deena Buchanan is a highly respected trial attorney with extensive experience litigating complex, high stakes claims. She’s renowned by clients, colleagues and judges for her poise and composure in any situation.
At Buchanan Law Firm, LLC we take an individualized approach to every case, taking the time to learn the unique aspects of your situation, so that we can tailor our counsel to get the outcome you seek. To arrange an interview, contact us by e-mail or call our office at 505-588-7006. We offer a free case evaluation for employment law cases. We are available evenings or weekends, if necessary.
Employment Discrimination –Improper Background Checks
At Buchanan Law Firm, LLC we’ll aggressively protect your rights until you’ve had an opportunity for a job interview, as set forth in New Mexico law. If you have been denied a chance to interview for a job, we will conduct a thorough investigation to determine whether the prospective employer violated New Mexico law. We will also help you seek relief when a potential employer improperly solicits information about a prior criminal record, either verbally or in writing.
Talk to an Experienced New Mexico Employment Disputes Attorney
Protect your rights under New Mexico’s new “ban-the-box” statute. Make certain prospective employers give you an opportunity to interview before conducting a criminal background check.
To arrange an interview, contact us by e-mail or call our office at 505-588-7006. We offer a free case evaluation for employment law cases. We are available evenings or weekends, if necessary. We accept all major credit cards.
We have recovered tens of millions of dollars for our clients.
Hospital negligence resulted in catastrophic injury. This was a case involving a patient who entered the hospital for routine observation but left the hospital with catastrophic and permanent injuries due to neglect and improper treatment. This case involved extensive expert testimony on all aspects of the client’s care, both by hospital administration, hospital employees, and contractors who were involved in her treatment.
Semi-truck negligence caused wrongful death. This case involved a semi-truck driver who was intoxicated on illegal substances and killed our client. The key to this case was both aggressive discovery work, and understanding the trucking laws that regulate truck drivers and motor carriers, so we could prove how reckless it was to put the driver on the road that day.
Semi-truck negligence caused catastrophic injury. This case involved a semi-truck driver who lost control of his vehicle in a high-traffic area, causing devastating injuries to our client. We were able to reconstruct every step of the events leading up to the crash that day to piece together why this happened, using sophisticated experts in reconstruction engineering.
Semi-truck and corporate negligence caused traumatic brain injury. Our client suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of the defendant’s negligence in parking a commercial vehicle. The key to this case was understanding trucking regulations and local ordinances at play to show how the situation should have been handled safely.
Semi-truck causing wrongful death. This sad case involved the tragic death of our clients when a semi-driver was high on illegal substances. The key to this case was working closely with law enforcement and our reconstruction expert to identify all of the assets we could recover for these clients so that they could be as fully compensated as possible.