Labor-management relations in United States

Jones Day

Jones Day represents businesses in relation to matters covered by the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act, including collective bargaining work, labor arbitrations and union organizing matters. The firm’s high-profile clients operate across a wide range of industries, including food, rail and mining. Brian West Easley, partner-in-charge of the Minneapolis office, has experience representing employers in manufacturing, natural resources and transport. Washington DC-based Patricia Dunn is an experienced negotiator in labor agreements, bargaining multiple contracts and advising clients on strategy and contingency planning. Chicago-based associates Samantha Woo and Allyson Werntz are key supporting players in many cases. Willis Goldsmith brings more than forty years of experience representing clients before state and federal trials. The team is led by New York-based Matthew Lampe and Chicago-based Elizabeth McRee.

Practice head(s):

Matthew Lampe; Elizabeth McRee

Other key lawyers:

Patricia Dunn; Samantha Woo; Allyson Werntz; Willis Goldsmith

Testimonials

‘Our partner at Jones Day, Brian Easley, has a broad background and assists our company in developing and executing productive labor strategies that are beneficial to our employees and our business. Brian also brings us effective solutions to challenges that we face in our business.’

‘Trish Dunn is quite simply the best.’

Key clients

McDonald’s Corporation

CSX Corporation

Bloomberg L.P.

CITGO Petroleum Corporation

The Kraft Heinz Company

General Electric Co.

American Steamship Company

BNSF Railway Company

American Airlines Group

United Natural Foods, Inc.

Stanford University

Saputo

Wabtec Corporation

Wynnchurch Capital Partners

National Railway Labor Conference

General Mills

Pactiv Evergreen

Work highlights

  • Represented Kraft Heinz in successful negotiations resulting in multi-year collective bargaining agreements establishing terms and conditions of employment for over 1,000 employees at the Company’s facilities in various locations.
  • Represented a number of the largest freight rail carriers in the United States in several lawsuits and two major arbitrations to resolve the longstanding issue over changes to the size of train crews, not only resolving one of the most contentious disputes in the history of the freight rail industry, but allowing the carriers to pursue much-needed changes to modernize their operations.
  • Representing Wabtec Corp. in connection with a broad spectrum of labor and employment issues including advising Wabtec in connection with a representation petition filed in Las Vegas, Nevada, by the United Electrical Radio & Machine Workers of America (UE) (28-RC-274820).

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is a strong performer in the area of labor-management relations, maintaining a reputation for its success in the space. Its labor-management relations team has recently moved into the employee plan space and expanded its work in the energy sector. Employees at the firm are also trial lawyers, meaning they have first-hand experience of all aspects of the legal process. It has streamlined efficiency by developing the Virtual Whiteboard, which allows employees to track and review progress virtually, and ClientSite, which provides analytics about client needs. The firm is led by Joseph Ragaglia in Philadelphia, dealing with healthcare, and Harry I. Johnson, III in Century City, California, with a focus on transport. Chicago and Washington DC-based Philip Miscimarra handles arbitration work for the food industry, sometimes alongside Los Angeles–based Nicole Buffalano, who also works in energy and manufacturing. Washington DC’s Daniel Bordoni has worked in the aerospace and defense sector, counseling clients through strikes which have lasted months and representing them in related proceedings before the NLRB. Jonathan C. Fritts in Washington DC has represented clients in complex work in transport, while Philadelphia-based Steven R. Wall also works with the food industry.

Practice head(s):

Joseph Ragaglia; Harry I. Johnson, III

Other key lawyers:

Philip Miscimarra; Nicole Buffalano; Daniel Bordoni; Jonathan C. Fritts; Steven R. Wall

Key clients

Boeing

DaVita, Inc.

General Motors

Georgetown University

Hackensack Meridian Health

Marriott International, Inc.

Southwest Airlines

Triumph Group, Inc.

USMCA Independent Mexico Labor Expert Board

U.S. Soccer Federation, Inc.

United States Maritime Alliance (USMX)

W.D. Wright Contracting, Inc.

Work highlights

  • Represented Southwest Airlines in a case brought by its pilots union challenging Southwest’s implementation of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, which the company implemented in response to the September 2021 Executive Order mandating that employees of federal contractors be fully vaccinated.
  • Advising Hackensack University Medical Center and Meridian Health System on employment issues as the two combined to become the largest, most comprehensive healthcare network in New Jersey.
  • Advised Toyota on all aspects of labor-management relations, including navigating workplace changes related to COVID-19 in a unionized environment, defending labor arbitrations resulting from safety protocols and response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and advising two Southern California facilities in preparing for and successfully negotiating collective bargaining agreements.

Proskauer Rose LLP

Proskauer Rose LLP has great experience in representing management in labor relations matters, advising employers on union-organizing situations. The firm represents a large number of sports leagues, universities and media organizations. The practice is led by New York-based Neil Abramson, who leads collective bargaining disputes with transit and railroad workers, teachers and emergency services, and Los Angeles-based Anthony Oncidi. New York-based Bernard Plum brings his years of experience as a spokesperson for entertainment and media companies into his present legal work representing companies in the sport, theatre and live events industries. Also New York-based, Paul Salvatore negotiates industry collective bargaining agreements including real estate, construction and education. New York’s Steven Porzio assists both unionized and non-unionized companies in a range of labor relations matters.

Practice head(s):

Neil Abramson; Anthony Oncidi

Other key lawyers:

Bernard Plum; Paul Salvatore; Steven Porzio; Mark Batten; Scott Faust

Testimonials

‘The expertise and efficiency of the practice sets the bar for other firms and for our company is basically unmatched.’

‘Mark Batten of the firm’s Boston office is a stand-out. He has become our go-to person. His ability to problem solve, provide expedient recommendations and offer on-the-spot information all while considering an efficient and cost-effective solution for our company is unmatched. We trust him implicitly and his genuine humility is an added bonus that makes working with him such a positive experience – time and time again.’

‘Depth and breadth of expertise.’

‘The Proskauer team has an in depth knowledge of our business and priorities. They are a true partner to us in the context of the legal support they provide to our company. Their responsiveness and pragmatic solutions stand out.’

‘Scott Faust is exceptional. He has a depth of practice area expertise which he combines with practical advice that is well thought out and actionable. Scott is able to adjust/customize his approach depending on our needs, timing and considerations on a case by case basis. He can fly high or dive deep into the details as needed per any given situation. He is a true partner to our business and team.’

Key clients

Various Universities

Digital Media Industry Clients

Henkel Corporation

Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY)

Realty Advisory Board on Labor Relations (RAB)

Montefiore Medical Center

T-Mobile and T-Mobile T-Voice Litigation

National Hockey League

The Metropolitan Opera

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Seyfarth Shaw LLP has handled collective bargaining issues in industries as varied as professional sports, construction and hospitality. The team is led by New York-based chair Glenn Smith, Seattle-based vice chair Molly Gabel and Atlanta-based vice chair Kyllan Kershaw, a management-side labor lawyer who works exclusively in traditional labor work. Washington DC–based Bryan O’Keefe represents employers in traditional labor law matters, including charges of unfair labor practices, union organizing and collective bargaining. Chicago-based Karla Sanchez has a strong focus on counseling clients through complex labor relations issues, including corporate campaigns, impasse bargaining and strikes. Also in Chicago is senior counsel Bradford Livingston.

Practice head(s):

Glenn Smith; Molly Gabel; Kyllan Kershaw

Other key lawyers:

Bryan O’Keefe; Karla Sanchez; Nick Geannacopulos; Joe Damato; Robert Fisher; Arthur Telegen; Bradford Livingston

Testimonials

‘The depth of experience across many lines of business and the ability to help clients achieve desired outcomes.’

‘Nick Geannacopulos is an experienced and passionate advocate. He goes the extra mile for clients in helping them navigate through labor relations issues.’

‘Glenn Smith is exceptional.’

‘Seyfarth Shaw has a very experienced team of labor attorneys that have dealt with pretty much every type of labor situation and they are able to respond quickly and efficiently when needed.’

‘I have worked closely with Joe Damato for years and he is extremely knowledgeable and effective in working through negotiations and other labor union issues we have had to work through. He shares his knowledge and expertise in a calm way and has worked through some very tough issues with us to success.’

‘Highly sound advice on a range of issues in labor and employment law. Great responsiveness. Common sense solutions – appropriately scaled to the issue.’

‘Seyfarth’s labor team excels at understanding industry dynamics and macro trends. They give practical advice that is actionable.’

‘Arthur Telegen is supremely creative and incisive. He gets immediately to the heart of any complex matter and excels as both a counselor and an advocate. Robert Fisher is emerging as an important force.’

Key clients

Ametek, Inc.

Chanel

DHL

Dycom, Inc.

Eagle Materials

Housing Works

Jack in the Box

Packaging Corp of America

Pactiv

Phillips 66

Republic Services

San Francisco Opera

Service Corporation International

The Topps Company, Inc.

TreeHouse

Verizon

VF Corporation, distributor of Nautica apparel

WinCo

Fisher & Phillips

Fisher & Phillips assists employers with strategies for union recruitment management, merging with unionized companies and understanding the laws regarding unionized workplaces. The practice’s work includes negotiating collective bargaining agreements, handling union requests and guiding clients through strike preparations. The team is led by Tampa-based Steve Bernstein, who represents sporting organizations, and San Francisco-based Todd Lyon, known for his experience across all areas of labor litigation. Las Vegas-based David Dornak represents a number of clients in the gambling industry.

Practice head(s):

Steve Bernstein; Todd Lyon

Other key lawyers:

David Dornak

Key clients

Ryder Integrated Logistics, Inc.

Gopher Resource LLC

USL (United Soccer League) Championship

Ford & Harrison LLP

Ford & Harrison LLP is a focused defense firm which works exclusively in labor and employment law. Many of the firm’s clients are multinational corporations in industries including healthcare, aviation and manufacturing. The team is led by Charlotte-based managing partner Allen J McKenna, who advises clients on legal issues related to union campaigns, and Atlanta-based Paul R. Beshears, whose work across all areas of labor and employment law has a particular focus on collective bargaining, union organizing campaigns and unfair practice cases.

Practice head(s):

Allen J McKenna; Paul R. Beshears

Testimonials

‘FordHarrison assisted us in handling a potential tortious interference claim associated with hiring an employee who was subject to noncompete provisions. FordHarrison advised us on how to manage the matter and advised on the risk related to each action. The attorney at hand was recommended by the head of a big law employment practice.’

‘Strong focus on general HR matters with strong labor-management relations experience. Firm members have a strong understanding of law and good breath of experience. Yet – the firm understands that business clients want practical advice and ideas for resolving issues.’

Key clients

Delta Air Lines

Mohawk Industries

AFLAC, Inc.

United Airlines

Turner Enterprises

Rooms to Go

ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

MassMutual

American Airlines

RaceTrac Petroleum

Automatic Data Processing (ADP)

International Paper

Terminix International Company, L.P.

ComForCare Franchise Systems

The ServiceMaster Company

Publix Super Markets, Inc.

HD Supply

SmileDirectClub

Denny’s, Inc.

Ashley Furniture

Forward Air

Jackson Lewis P.C.

Jackson Lewis P.C.‘s national practice has seen particular growth in the areas of healthcare, transportation and oil and gas. The firm is led by Atlanta-based co-leader Jonathan Spitz , who works in union management for the oil and gas sector, and Hartford, Connecticut-based co-leader Richard Vitarelli, who is involved in labor relations, collective bargaining and multiemployer pensions benefits. Laura Pierson-Scheinberg, from the Orange County office, has overseen contentious negotiations between employers and unions representing thousands of workers, and assisted in negotiating a contract without labor strife. Litigation practice manager Alan Feldman is another key name in the team, handling employee discipline and unfair labor practice charges from the Phoenix office.

Practice head(s):

Jonathan Spitz; Richard Vitarelli

Other key lawyers:

Laura Pierson-Scheinberg; Alan Feldman

Testimonials

‘Solution-oriented. Cost-effective. They are our go to firm for all labor disputes and employee training for harassment and discrimination compliance.’

‘Responsive, always available, fully understand our business and corporate culture.’

Key clients

Equinor US, LLC

The Johns Hopkins University

Howard University

Nationwide Insurance

Daniel G. Schuster Inc

County of Santa Clara

Sofco Erectors, Inc.

Exxonmobil

Work highlights

  • Represented a company in challenging the method used by the pension fund to calculate the company’s withdrawal liability after its bargaining relationship with the union terminated. In a precedent setting decision, the Sixth Circuit Court ruled that the fund’s use of the Segal Blend was unlawful, and that the fund instead should have used its higher funding interest rate.
  • Represented an international oil-and-gas company in a union decertification campaign that involved 170 eligible voters at a facility that had been unionized for more than 50 years.
  • Assisted a pension plan in the $162m acquisition of substantially all the assets of an entity with significant (approximately $85m) potential withdrawal liability exposure involving eight multiemployer pension plans (MEPPs).

BakerHostetler

BakerHostetler operates a large labor and employment practice with a history of representing businesses in dealing with organized labor. Its key areas of expertise are in representing clients in hospitality, transport and mining. The team is led by Washington DC-based co-leader Jay P. Krupin, whose work includes union avoidance, strikes and due diligence, supported by Orlando-based co-leader Patrick M. Muldowney, and New York-based group chair Amy J. Traub. New York-based Paul Rosenberg remains active on behalf of a number of the firm's key clients.

Practice head(s):

Jay P. Krupin; Patrick M. Muldowney; Amy J. Traub

Other key lawyers:

Paul Rosenberg

Key clients

City of Columbus

The Central Florida Regional Transportation Agency

Greater Dayton Regional Transportation Authority

Ballard Spahr LLP

Ballard Spahr LLP assists employers with collective bargaining, arbitrations and unfair labor practice cases. Regularly appearing before the National Labor Relations Board, the firm has been involved in corporate campaigns, high-stakes labor negotiations and threatened job actions, and frequently works in the healthcare, retail and manufacturing industries. The firm is led by New Jersey-based partner Denise Keyser. Philadelphia-based Shannon D. Farmer leads on many cases, including a precedent-setting University of Pittsburgh case concerning whether or not grad students are considered to be employees with the right to organize. Philadelphia-based Brian Pedrow also prominently deals with transport and other public services, while Salt Lake City–based Steven W. Suflas represents the State of New Jersey in all labor issues.

Practice head(s):

Denise Keyser

Other key lawyers:

Shannon D. Farmer; Brian Pedrow; Steven W. Suflas

Key clients

City of Philadelphia

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)

Temple University Health System

American Red Cross

City of Baltimore

American Council of Life Insurers

State of New Jersey

Wallenius Wilhemsen Solutions

PacifiCorp. d/b/a Rocky Mountain Power

University of Pittsburgh

DLA Piper LLP (US)

DLA Piper LLP (US) handles issues across the traditional labor spectrum, including union organizing, collective bargaining, union contract administration and advice concerning the National Labor Relations Act. The firm is led by New York–based partner Brian Kaplan. New York–based partner Evan Parness is one of the ABA’s 15 national commissioners on racial and ethnic diversity; he has notably drafted a resolution which urges employers to implement practices which take vulnerable groups into consideration as part of the COVID recovery process.

Practice head(s):

Brian Kaplan

Other key lawyers:

Evan Parness; Harriet Lipkin; Steve Hernández

Testimonials

‘Beyond having deep domain expertise, they are nimble and current with their thinking. I don’t spend hours getting them up to speed.’

‘Steve Hernandez has been a great asset to my organization. He represents in a new guard in the legal space, which approaches problems with modern solutions that understand the speed at which media and technology work.’

‘DLA Piper is great.’

‘Steve Hernandez is an exceptional attorney and human. He is thoughtful, efficient and knows his law. He is personable, easy to talk to and gets the issues. He understands his clients well and what we’re looking for. He’s all-round great.’

‘Harriet Lipkin leads our external labor team. In addition to her deep well of demonstrated experience and skill, she leads labor negotiations with a unique balance of strong client adversary while personable and genuine to the opposite side. I believe this is because of Harriet’s passion for her work. The company representatives have a high confidence level with her knowledge of its needs and results.’

‘The labor-management relations team at DLA Piper knows our industry well and has unmatched experience in dealing with traditional labor issues within this sector. They are knowledgeable and provide cutting edge solutions.’

‘Harriet Lipkin has unparalleled experience in the hospitality industry and is well respected by management and labor alike. She is attentive to the needs of her client and offers tailored solutions. She is also a joy to work with.’

Work highlights

  • Advised a power company on labor strategy and planning in relation to its employees, who are represented by several public sector unions, including complex issues related to corporate integration, conversion to private sector NLRB jurisdiction, and union negotiations and strike contingency planning.
  • Represented an American gaming and casino company in obtaining a NLRB decision holding that employers have the right to challenge the certification of a union while also asserting confidentiality objections, a reversal of Board precedent.
  • Advised a leading aerospace company on labor issues, including union activity, collective bargaining agreement negotiations, unfair labor practice charges, and a potential strike.

Epstein Becker & Green, P.C.

Epstein Becker & Green, P.C.'s focus is on union avoidance, but it also works in related areas, with many of the firm’s employees offering previous experience working in government and state departments. The team is led by New York–based partner David Garland. Newark, New Jersey–based Jeremy Brown handles high-profile class action litigations relating to discrimination and harassment as well as counseling clients on how to navigate the changing laws related to marijuana in different states. Los Angeles–based Adam Abrams works exclusively on labor law, and is focused on securing and expanding management rights as well as helping employers remain ununionized.

Practice head(s):

David Garland

Other key lawyers:

Jeremy Brown; Adam Abrahms

Testimonials

‘Epstein Becker Green is unique in that they always put their clients first regardless of the time or day. They understand the needs and business of their clients so well that they never have to say “we will look into it and get back to you”. It’s as if they knew the question you had ahead of time and prepared for it.’

‘Adam and Jeremy are not just part of a firm, they make there clients feel as if they are part of our Company and have a stake in outcomes.’

Greenberg Traurig LLP

Greenberg Traurig LLP’s labor team helps both unionized and non-union employers maintain positive relations with their employees while seeking to avoid high-stakes labor litigation. Its lawyers are involved in all stages of representation and unfair labor practice proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and state labor agencies, regularly appearing before courts, arbitrators and the NLRB. The team is led by Denver-based co-chair Naomi Beer and Philadelphia-based co-chair James N. Boudreau. New York-based Jerrold Goldberg leads on many cases, including addressing labor relations issues related to the impact of COVID-19 on the real estate industry. San Francisco-based Charles Birenbaum is also noted as a key member of the team.

Practice head(s):

Naomi Beer; James Boudreau

Other key lawyers:

Jerrold Goldberg; Charles Birenbaum

Testimonials

‘This firm is extremely responsive and thinks critically about our issues on a personal level.’

‘Jerry Goldberg has been essential to us running a compliant business. He personalizes his responses to our specific needs and always goes the extra mile to ensure we are incurring the least amount of risk possible.’

‘The practice is very caring and involved in making your life easier. They are direct when asked for opinions but also guide you to make the best decisions for your company and you.’

‘Jerry Goldberg is extremely responsive and guiding. Always there for questions and to bounce off potential risks.’

Key clients

Maximus Parkmerced

SL Green Realty Corp.

Korman Communities, Inc.

Marymount Manhattan College

Juilliard School

JC Decaux North America

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is noted for its effective labor and management-side labor litigation practice. The team is led by Los Angeles-based partner Emily Burkhardt Vicente and Washington DC-based partner Kevin White.

Practice head(s):

Emily Burkhardt Vicente; Kevin White

Jones Walker LLP

Jones Walker LLP counsels and defends clients in all types of employment litigation. Working across different areas of labor and employment law, there is strong co-operation between the firm’s labor relations and employee benefits, ERISA and executive compensation teams. The practice covers areas including COBRA, the Family and Medical Leave Act and group health insurance. The firm is led by New Orleans-based Sidney F. Lewis, who has acted as labor counsel and/or chief spokesman in contract negotiations and handled union elections and labor arbitrations, working across construction and finance.

Practice head(s):

Sidney F. Lewis

Key clients

Ochsner Clinic Foundation

Crest Pumping Technologies, LLC

Total Safety

Acme Truck Line, Inc.

The Home Depot

Littler Mendelson, P.C.

Littler Mendelson, P.C. has an extensive nationwide labor practice, with work including unfair labor practice claims, union avoidance strategies and collective bargaining. The firm benefits from in-house legal technology tools, allowing for more efficient matter handling. The team is led by Denver-based managing director Erin Webber, while Dallas-based Michael Royal handles matters related to discrimination, arbitration and wage and hour class actions.

Practice head(s):

Erin Webber

Other key lawyers:

Michael Royal

McDermott Will & Emery LLP

McDermott Will & Emery LLP has offices across key commercial centers in the US, allowing the firm to cover a wide range of bases and to understand local issues in all major regions of the contiguous United States. In addition to this, the firm enjoys a growing profile and has secured several significant victories for its clients. The overall labor management team is led by Chicago-based partner Michael Sheehan. Ron Holland leads the San Francisco arm for the practice, counseling Fortune 500 companies on labor strategy, union-avoidance and responses to union-backed corporate campaigns.

Practice head(s):

Michael Sheehan

Other key lawyers:

Ron Holland

Key clients

AirBnB

Apple

Kinkisharyo

Lyft

Mapbox

Savage Services

Target Corporation

Tribune Publishing Company

Univision Communications

Walgreens

Work highlights

  • Represented technology giant Apple in a number of high-profile National Labor Relations Board disputes and in cutting-edge labor law counseling.
  • Represented Tribune Publishing Company, which publishes the Chicago Tribune, the New York Daily News, and many other well-known newspapers, in managing its relationships with labor unions and to challenge unfair labor practice charges.
  • Representing a growing Silicon Valley technology company called Mapbox in relation to attempts to establish a labor union at the company – part of a wider trend in the technology industry that has emerged in recent years.

O'Melveny & Myers LLP

O'Melveny & Myers LLP predominantly works in the aviation sector, dealing with labor issues arising from mergers and acquisitions, as well as handling labor disputes and employee-employer issues.  The practice is led by Silicon Valley-based partner Eric Amdursky, and Los Angeles-based Apalla Chopra. Los Angeles-based Robert Siegel is outside labor counsel for a number of major US airlines and has advised on many airline mergers during his career. New York's Mark Robertson has achieved victories for airlines in working disputes with unions.

Practice head(s):

Eric Amdursky; Apalla Chopra

Other key lawyers:

Robert Siegel; Mark Robertson; Kelly Wood; Adam Koh-Sweeney; Rachel Janger; Charles Mahoney

Testimonials

‘OMM is very knowledgeable about the airline industry and the unique labor and employment issues we face – particularly in California.’

‘Mark Robertson, Kelly Wood and Adam Koh-Sweeney each provide excellent legal service. They are responsive, creative, practical and team-oriented. I know I can count on each of them to provide straight-forward legal advice on very complicated matters, and to keep me apprised of all important developments with respect to our employment litigation as well as the state and local laws that impact our industry.’

‘OMM’s labor aviation team is led by one of the most experienced and knowledgeable labor lawyers in the industry (Bob Siegel) and has a really strong team supporting him. They guided us through a contentious and litigious negotiation process with much success. They know the relevant case law and precedent and provided us with sound advice on strategy throughout.’

‘The OMM labor aviation team is unique in that they only represent airlines with labor issues and therefore are really the industry experts with the most relevant experience and knowledge. They always make themselves available whenever we need their advice regardless of the time. Bob Siegel, Rachel Janger and Charles Mahoney in particular.’

Key clients

Airlines for America

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

American Airlines

Atlas Air, Inc.

Remington Arms

United Airlines

Work highlights

  • Represented Atlas Air in ending several years of labor negotiations and litigation, and providing for a five-year collective bargaining agreement at competitive market rates.
  • Represented American Airlines in Bryan v. Allied Pilots Association, where the First Circuit affirmed the District Court’s grant of American Airlines’ motion to dismiss.

Reed Smith LLP

Reed Smith LLP has seen an uptick in union-related work, and furthered its bandwidth in labor law issues with the promotion of Pittsburgh-based J. T. Holt to partner in January 2022 and the recruitment of Emily Harbison to the Houston office from Baker McKenzie LLP in August 2021 to cover the increased work volume. The firm has notably overseen one of the first unionization drives in the video game industry. The team is led by Washington DC–based partner Tyree Jones.

Practice head(s):

Tyree Jones

Other key lawyers:

J. T. Holt; Emily Harbison

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP's government affairs and regulatory support team regularly handles labor-management relations matters. Its attorneys regularly advise leading unions in connection with collective bargaining issues, representing them in contractual fact-finding and arbitration proceedings, acting on their behalf in improper practice proceedings before the New York State Public Employment Relations Board and the New York City Board of Collective Bargaining, and counselling them on internal governance matters. The team is led by New York-based Alan Klinger, who works with the Municipal Labor Committee, an organization which represents unions on citywide matters, while Dina Kolker, also in New York, has a strong focus on public sector union representation.

Practice head(s):

Alan Klinger

Other key lawyers:

Dina Kolker

Testimonials

‘Stroock brings a combination of strong legal ability along with creative and strategic approaches to develop a path forward in new, complex and difficult situations. Added to this are the trusted relationships with government officials they have gained over the years that afford them the credibility to reach agreement that other lawyers simply cannot produce.’

‘Alan and Dina are the go to people for complex labor relations and related matters. Alan is smart and analytical, and is widely recognized as the dean of public sector union lawyers. He is the architect of strategic plans that utilize litigation, negotiation and other levers designed to accomplish the client’s goals. He has a deep knowledge of each client’s operations and needs, and is able to navigate contentious and complex situations, often including political elements, to successful resolution.’

‘Dina has extensive experience in representing public sector labor unions in connection with contract negotiation, pension-related matters and litigations, health benefit bargaining as well as broad constitutional topics effecting organized labor. Her strengths include strategic thinking, creative bargaining resolutions and litigation skills. She also is pragmatic; she has a good sense of what likely will work and what won’t.’

Key clients

United Federation of Teachers, Local 2, AFT, AFL-CIO

New York City Municipal Labor Committee

Uniformed Sanitationmen’s Association, Local 831, IBT

American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO

District Council 37, AFSCME, AFL-CIO

Council of School Supervisors & Administrators

New York State United Teachers

Teamsters Local 237 Health and Welfare Funds

Teamsters Local 237

Nassau County Police Benevolent Association

Organization of Staff Analysts

Association of Justices of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Inc.

Supreme Court Justices Association of the City of New York, Inc.

Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO, Local 1180

Association of Legislative Employees

Association of Law Secretaries to the Justices of the Supreme and Surrogates’ Courts in the City of New York

United Federation of Teachers Welfare Fund

Uniformed Sanitationmen’s Association Security Benefits Fund

Uniformed Sanitationmen’s Retiree Welfare Fund

Work highlights

  • Represented the American Federation of Teachers (“AFT”), New York State United Teachers (“NYSUT”) and its affiliate in two lawsuits of national importance brought in the wake of the United States Supreme Court decision in Janus v. AFSCME.
  • Represented the MLC through a historic procurement and negotiation process resulting in the adoption of a custom group Medicare Advantage program that will serve some 250,000 City retirees and their dependents.
  • Representing the UFT in addressing myriad labor law, health and safety, pay and other issues arising from the designation of UFT-represented professionals as “essential” employees in New York City’s COVID-19 response efforts.

Vedder Price

Vedder Price advises clients on sensitive employment matters and policy development, routinely working with clients to help them proactively and effectively address workplace claims or risks and identify areas for improvement. The team is led by Elizabeth N. Hall, while Kenneth F. Sparks has worked in all aspects of healthcare claims. Patrick W. Spangler and shareholder Eugene A. Boyle primarily work with manufacturing companies. All lawyers mentioned are based in Chicago.

Practice head(s):

Elizabeth N. Hall

Other key lawyers:

Kenneth F. Sparks; Patrick W. Spangler; Eugene A. Boyle

Testimonials

‘Vedder is a top notch firm. We regard them highly and use them for a number of employment and labor matters. Their responsiveness and service are excellent. Their legal counsel has been excellent… concise, to the point, clear, decisive.’

Key clients

BMO Financial Group

Follett Corporation

Option Care Enterprises

Signode Industrial Group LLC

University of Chicago Medical Center

Euromarket Designs dba Crate & Barrel

Cresco Labs, Inc.

Able Services

Ferrara Candy Company

Satellite Healthcare

California Pizza Kitchen

Adventist Health

Balyasny Asset Management, L.P.

OpenText, Inc.

Sonendo

Madden Corporation

University of Southern California

Reyes Holdings

Canvas Worldwide

AAR Corporation

Work highlights

  • Advising an acute care hospital that is part of a larger system negotiating its first registered nursing contract with a national nursing union.
  • Advised a national cannabis provider on labor strategy (including state labor peace agreement legislation), labor strategy, union organizing, COVID-related labor relations matters and first time union contracts in New York, New England and Illinois and new contracts in California.
  • Representing a large super-regional healthcare system and its research hospital on a broad range of labor matters.