Jones Day is distinguished by its ability to represent employers covered by the National Labor Relations Act and the Railways Labor Act. The group can often be seen handling matters involving collective bargaining, labor arbitrations, union organization and strikes. Matthew Lampe and Elizabeth McRee jointly lead the group out of the Chicago and New York offices respectively. Key names in the Chicago office also include David Birnbaum, who is equipped to represent clients in both NLRB and RLA matters and Ally Werntz, who focuses her practice on representation proceedings, grievance and arbitration proceedings and unfair labor practice proceedings arising under NLRA. In the Minneapolis office, Brian Easley has extensive experience representing employers in collective bargaining, union organizing and decertification proceedings.
Labor-management relations in United States
Jones Day
Practice head(s):
Matthew Lampe; Elizabeth McRee
Other key lawyers:
David Birnbaum; Brian Easley; Ally Werntz; Don Munro; Aaron Agenbroad; Justin Martin
Testimonials
‘Jones Day has a very capable bench of attorneys, who’ve provided exceptional guidance on complex labor and employment topics and litigation. They’ve become one of our go-to law firms for labor guidance because of their expertise, experience, and excellent legal advice.’
‘I have the good fortune to work with several partners and associates at Jones Day and each one has provided excellent client service – they are responsive and considerate in their counsel. Aaron Agenbroad is my key contact at Jones Day and has truly become a partner in this work with me and my team. We look to him to not only represent our company, but to assist us in understanding political and industry landscapes.’
‘Justin Martin is a senior associate and has become a trust advisor on labor matters. His experience with and knowledge of the NLRB has been invaluable as my company navigates internal and external transitions.’
Key clients
McDonald’s Corporation
CSX Corporation
Pactiv Evergreen
CITGO Petroleum Corporation
General Electric Co.
American Steamship Company
BNSF Railway Company
American Airlines Group
Saputo
Wabtec Corporation
National Railway Labor Conference
Yokohama Tire
Work highlights
- Acted as lead spokesperson in connection with multiple negotiations for Stanford Health Care and Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital resulting in CBAs covering almost 10,000 employees.
- Represented Google in the successful defense of multiple National Labor Relations Board unfair labor practice charges.
- Represented ITT, Great Wolf Lodge, Hiller Companies, Wabtec and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in representation petitions resulting in company wins where employees voted against union representation.
Proskauer Rose LLP
The Proskauer Rose LLP employment practice is experienced in the full ambit of union-employment matters, including collective bargaining, grievances, arbitrations and labor board proceedings. The group is a popular choice for clients from the sports, media and entertainment sectors seeking assistance with employment related class actions, negotiations and litigation. The leadership group of the practice is formed of New York-based Neil Abramson, who is skilled at complex bargaining disputes; Allan Bloom; Adam Lupion, who is a reputed litigator and counselor for sports leagues and teams and Tony Oncidi, who operates from the Los Angeles office. Paul Salvatore is an asset to the firm with strengths in collective bargaining negotiations in the real estate and construction sectors. Steven Porzio is experienced at conducting vulnerability assessments and Joshua Fox is a key name for major league baseball clubs seeking assistance with salary arbitration. Porzio, Fox and Salvatore are all based in the New York office.
Practice head(s):
Neil Abramson; Allan Bloom; Adam Lupion; Tony Oncidi
Other key lawyers:
Paul Salvatore; Joshua Fox; Steven Porzio
Key clients
Major League Baseball
Mount Sinai Medical Center/Mount Sinai Health Systems
Montefiore Medical Center
Blythedale Children’s Hospital
Metropolitan Transportation Authority/Long Island Rail Road/The New York City Transit Authority
The City of New York
SAG-AFTRA
Various Entertainment Institutions
Various Media Clients
T-Mobile
Henkel Corporation
Building for the Arts
Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Seyfarth Shaw LLP‘s labor management relations client roster features significant names in the retail and aviation sectors. The firm's practice is well regarded for its ability to handle unfair labor practice charges and representation proceedings before the NLRB. Other areas of focus include collective bargaining, union organizing campaigns, strikes and picketing. The trio responsible for leading the practice is formed of New York-based Glenn Smith, who has extensive collective bargaining negotiation experience; Seattle-based Molly Gabel, who is a key advisor to several mainline and regional air carriers and Chicago-based Karla Sanchez, who excels in unfair labor practice proceedings and representation proceedings before the NLRB. Arthur Telegen is well known in the Boston office for his skilled approach to NLRB matters. Bryan O'Keefe is a go-to contact for clients seeking advice on the employment implications or corporate transactions in the Washington DC office. Brian Stolzenbach brings comprehensive labor and employment expertise in contentious and non-contentious matters to the Chicago office.
Practice head(s):
Glenn Smith; Molly Gabel; Karla Sanchez
Other key lawyers:
Bryan O’Keefe; Arthur Telegen; Brian Stolzenbach; Kamran Mirrafati; Robert Fisher
Testimonials
‘Seyfarth’s superpower is their ability to navigate complex problems with expert precision. They seamlessly blend independent analysis with collaborative input, leveraging their deep knowledge to make high-impact decisions. Seyfarth’s judgment is trusted across teams, making them an invaluable asset in critical situations.’
‘Brian Stolzenbach has an incredible ability to synthesize complex information and translate it into actionable priorities. He excels at understanding the broader strategic landscape, allowing him to effectively align projects with organizational goals. This skill enables the team to focus on high-impact initiatives that drive meaningful results.’
‘The Seyfarth labor team demonstrates exceptional responsiveness and possesses extensive expertise in rapidly evolving labor law issues. They consistently provide high quality, practical advice and counsel in a timely manner, focusing on efficient solutions without unnecessarily expanding the scope of work.’
‘Brian Stolzenbach is a 10/10 labor lawyer, who provides highest level labor legal advice and has mastered the management of legal projects and request from an extremely demanding client.’
‘This firm is excellent! We were well supported through the unionization process. They make themselves available as needed to talk through concerns and issues. This firm was also very good at learning and understanding our business to then help represent us properly.’
‘Seyfarth’s strength is its client-focused and inter-disciplinary approach. It has attorneys with expertise in many different sub-specialty areas, so whatever the particular issue at hand may be, they have the right person to assist.’
‘Bryan O’Keefe is an expert on union issues, among other labor and employment matters, and uses his knowledge and experience to come up with practical recommendations for clients that balance various legal and business considerations. He is also incredibly attentive and responsive to requests. Just a pleasure to work with all around.’
‘Brian Stolzenbach has exceptional client service and is an incredible lawyer. He is one of the most intelligent lawyers I have had the pleasure to work with and is always practical and strategic. He inspires confidence and trust in all aspects of his support.’
Fisher Phillips
The ‘unmatched’ labor expertise at Fisher Phillips is distinguished by its ability to defend labor conflicts before the NLRB, administrative agencies and courts throughout the US. Frequent areas of focus include unfair labor practice proceedings, labor contract negotiations and grievance proceedings. The trio responsible for leading the practice is formed of San Francisco-based Todd Lyon, who enjoys a strong reputation in labor negotiations; Steven Bernstein, who is well known for his assistance in union organizing-related matters in the Tampa office and Joshua Nadreau, who works out of the Boston office. In the Las Vegas office, David Dornak is a notable name and regularly represents nightclubs, restaurants and ultra-lounges throughout Las Vegas in labor issues.
Practice head(s):
Todd Lyon; Steven Bernstein; Joshua Nadreau
Other key lawyers:
David Dornak
Testimonials
‘The team at Fisher Phillips has been invaluable to me over the years. Their expertise with respect to labor related matters is unmatched.’
‘David Dornak has been wonderful to work with. He is very thoughtful and responsive and is always eager to help. He has a wide range of labor experience which has been very useful. ’
Key clients
BelRed Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, LLC
Okun Produce
Alamo Drafthouse
Work highlights
- Represented BelRed Heating, Cooling & Plumbing in connection with an NLRB representation petition filed against its operations in Mukilteo.
- Assisted Okun Produce through the practical and legal challenges associated with a union decertification petition signed by one of two bargaining unit members.
- Advised Alamo Drafthouse in response to a series of unfair labor practice charges directed against multiple venues in the metro Denver area.
Ford Harrison LLP
Ford Harrison LLP is a well-established boutique firm focusing solely on labor and employment law. The firm’s extensive expertise sees its advising employers from a wide range of industries, notably healthcare, air transport, restaurants, retail, construction and manufacturing. Paul Beshears is responsible for leading the practice from the Atlanta office and is skilled at handling NLRB unfair labor practice cases. Tammie Rattray is a key name in the Tampa office and is most commonly involved in matters involving collective bargaining, arbitrations, NLRB trials and union campaigns. Atlanta-based Henry Warnock regularly defends employers in discrimination and retaliation cases.
Practice head(s):
Paul Beshears
Other key lawyers:
Tammie Rattray; Henry Warnock
Key clients
AFLAC
Bi-State Development Agency
CNH America, LLC
CoreCivic
George Washington University Hospital
HCA Healthcare
Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.
McDonald’s Corporation
Riviana Foods, Inc.
Tenet Healthcare
UHS of Delaware, Inc.
University Medical Center | LCMC Health
Jackson Lewis P.C.
The labor relations practice at Jackson Lewis P.C. enjoys specialist knowledge in the healthcare, energy, transport, manufacturing, retail and media sectors. The group fields a litany of attorneys specialized in union organizing in the workplace. At the head of the practice, Jonathan Spitz and Richard Vitarelli jointly lead from the Georgia and Connecticut offices respectively. Both Spitz and Vitarelli are highly regarded for their assistance to unionized employers with collective bargaining matters. Laura Pierson-Scheinberg is a key name in the San Francisco and Baltimore offices for her focus on traditional labor issues, union elections and unfair labor practice changes. Boston-based Michael Bertoncini is distinguished by his expertise in the healthcare, higher education and arts sectors.
Practice head(s):
Jonathan Spitz; Richard Vitarelli
Other key lawyers:
Chelsea Hartnett; Laura Pierson-Scheinberg; Michael Bertoncini
Testimonials
‘There is a large bench of attorneys at Jackson Lewis to help with almost any need that arises.’
‘I appreciate that the attorneys we deal with are honest and straightforward with us so that we understand the risk involved with any action. If the action we propose taking puts the company at greater risk, they are not afraid to tell us. On the other hand, they will also push us to take a greater risk when appropriate under the circumstances. Other law firms we use are more hesitant to push back on us.’
‘Chelsea Hartnett, in particular, is revered by management employees across our four-state network for her expertise in labor relations.’
Work highlights
- Acted as lead labor counsel for an international oil and gas company against numerous NLRB charges and more than 90 allegations during a 2024 trial.
BakerHostetler
The BakerHostetler team is experienced at navigating labor relations for international clients doing business in the US and acting as the labor relations representatives in purchase and sale agreements and hotel management agreement contexts. The practice is jointly led by New York-based Amy Traub, who is a trusted advisor to and litigator for several significant health institutions on the Eastern Seaboard; Jay Krupin, who has considerable experience negotiating collective bargaining agreements in the Washington D.C office and Todd Dawson who sits in the Cleveland office. Paul Rosenberg is an active member of the New York office and is regularly involved in large-scale collective bargaining negotiations and unfair labor practice issues.
Practice head(s):
Amy Traub; Jay Krupin; Todd Dawson
Other key lawyers:
Paul Rosenberg
Ballard Spahr LLP
Ballard Spahr LLP is highly regarded for its labor and employment services in the public sector, with its client roster featuring states, authorities, universities and hospitals. The group is frequently called upon by public sector clients to handle unfair labor practice cases, labor negotiations, arbitrations and union organization campaigns. Denise Keyser heads up the practice from the New Jersey office and has ample experience acting as lead negotiator in collective bargaining negotiations. Brian Pedrow‘s practice consists of private and public sector labor negotiations and unfair labor practice charges. Shannon Farmer is active in collective bargaining negotiations and interest arbitrations. Both Pedrow and Farmer are based in the Philadelphia office.
Practice head(s):
Denise Keyser
Other key lawyers:
Shannon Farmer; Brian Pedrow
Key clients
City of Philadelphia
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
Temple University
Temple University Health System
American Red Cross
Geisinger Health System
Johns Hopkins University
City of Philadelphia
Work highlights
- Represented SEPTA in a presidential emergency board to resolve labor disputes involving the rail unions.
- Represented Temple University as their chief negotiator and counsel to the chief negotiator for Temple University in connection with the university’s negotiations with the unions representing 13 different bargaining units, including the faculty.
- Represented the American Red Cross nationally and locally in labor negotiations, unfair labor practice charges, and arbitrations for over 6,000 unionized employees.
DLA Piper LLP (US)
The employment practice at DLA Piper LLP (US) is active across the traditional labor spectrum, with experience in union organizing, collective bargaining, union contract administration and advice concerning the NLRA. The group is also a strong choice for navigating LPAs. Marc Katz is responsible for leading the practice and is based in the Dallas office. Joseph Piesco is a key name in the New York office, with a broad practice covering NLRB proceedings, unfair labor practices, strikes and picketing. Kevin Harlow departed the firm in 2024.
Practice head(s):
Marc Katz
Other key lawyers:
Joseph Piesco
Key clients
TransPerfect
Work highlights
- Represented Transperfect in NLRB proceedings, obtaining dismissal of all charges following a four-day hearing before an administrative law judge.
- Represented an environmental services company in nationwide labor relations matters, securing favorable outcomes in arbitrations, collective bargaining negotiations, and a successful union decertification petition.
- Represented multiple clients in structuring complex double-breasting arrangements to achieve cost savings and maintain operational flexibility across union and non-union operations.
Greenberg Traurig LLP
The employment group at Greenberg Traurig is frequently involved in collective bargaining negotiations, as well as in all stages of representation and unfair labor practice proceedings for the NLRB and state labor agencies. The practice is jointly headed by Denver-based Naomi Beer; Justin Keith, who is active across in all areas of traditional labor law in the Boston office and Jerrold Goldberg in New York, who regularly represents management clients in the real estate and hospitality sectors. Charles Birenbaum is also a key name in the San Francisco office.
Practice head(s):
Naomi Beer; Justin Keith; Jerrold Goldberg
Other key lawyers:
Charles Birenbaum
Testimonials
‘Proactive, dependable and transparent.’
‘I’ve been fortunate to work with Jerry Goldberg from 2022 to present. He is the consummate professional. He is reliable and dependable. He responds when contacted immediately and makes himself available for emergencies.’
Key clients
Community Organized Relief Effort
Calpine Energy Storage/Energy Choice California
Hydrostor
Quad Cinema
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP‘s labor and employment group is best known for its expertise in union and labor matters before the NLRB and the courts. Other areas of focus include wage-hour issues, the implementation of arbitration agreements, sick pay and leave laws and restrictive convenient agreements. Emily Burkhardt Vicente and Kevin White jointly lead the practice from the Los Angeles and Washington D.C offices, respectively.
Practice head(s):
Emily Burkhardt Vicente; Kevin White
Vedder Price
Vedder Price is well positioned to provide labor and employment advice on matters stemming from the healthcare, transport, manufacturing, retail, cannabis and food and beverage sectors. Its practice spans union organizing, collective bargaining matters, corporate campaigns strikes and grievance proceedings. Elizabeth Hall and Kenneth Sparks jointly oversee the practice from the Chicago office. Sparks is notably ‘first class in managing labor and employment disputes’. Hope Goldstein from the Los Angeles office is highly regarded, especially for her expertise in matters involving compliance with the NLRA.
Practice head(s):
Elizabeth Hall; Kenneth Sparks
Other key lawyers:
Hope Goldstein
Testimonials
‘We work with Hope Goldstein, who knows us very well and she is incredibly knowledgeable about the labor practice and within that, labor in the arts, culture and entertainment industry. Truly a lovely professional that is invaluable to our work.’
‘We work extensively with Ken Sparks of Vedder Price on all labor and employment matters. He truly seeks to understand all aspects of the business, including priorities and risk tolerance, and understands those things vary over time. Ken is a true expert with a photographic memory of all aspects of labor law.’
‘Ken Sparks is truly first class in managing labor and employment disputes. What makes these services so invaluable is not only Ken’s expertise in this area of law, but also his vast experience with almost every major labor union.’
Key clients
University of Chicago Medical Center
Cresco Labs Inc.
Vulcan Materials
Ferrara Candy Company
BakeMark, Inc.
AAR Corp.
Graymont Limited
CGH Medical Center
SSM Healthcare, St. Louis University Hospital
Munson Healthcare/Munson Medical Center
DHL Supply Chain
University of Southern California
Adventist Health
AEG Presents
Lyric Opera of Chicago
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Marquee Brands
Senior Aerospace SSP
Global Experience Specialists
Maximus
Lineage Logistics
Work highlights
- Acted as primary negotiator and spokesperson for Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital in negotiations with SEIU Healthcare-Michigan.
- Representing University of Chicago Medicine and its affiliates, UCMC and UChicago Ingalls, both affiliated with The University of Chicago, on a broad range of labor and employment matters.
- Represents SSM Health and its academic hospital, SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, on a broad range of labor matters.