DLA Piper LLP (US) advises on the full range of traditional labor matters, including union organizing, collective bargaining, union contract administration, and issues arising under the National Labor Relations Act. In New York, Joseph Piesco focuses on employment-related class actions, including wage and hour class and collective actions, ADEA claims, and Title VII litigation. Los Angeles-based Steve Hernandez previously investigated and prosecuted unfair labor practices and now defends employers in such matters, drawing on his experience running union-representation elections to provide clients with insight into union campaign and election processes. Marc Katz has left the firm.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The DLA team has incredible depth of talent, but what truly makes them unique is Joseph Piesco.'
- 'Piesco is simply the most talented labor lawyer I have had the pleasure of working with in the last 30 years. He not only is a substantive expert, but understands people, what makes them tick and when and where to apply pressure.'
- 'This team is extremely experienced and effective. Their experience covers a wide range of employment issues and, whatever we've confronted in this area, we've found them highly capable.'
- 'Joseph Piesco is the team leader and is our go-to lawyer for any labor and employment issues. He has helped us navigate numerous difficult situations, always with success. He has my highest endorsement. Joshua Wan and Katarina Kingston are highly responsive, smart, and capable.'
- 'DLA Piper LLP is the most responsive and thorough law firm I have dealt with. The attorneys we work with are fearless and always available to tackle issues that come up in labor law.'
- 'Joseph Piesco has been a pleasure to work with. I enjoy his direct personality and his ability to sort through vast amounts of opinions to get to the real core issue being discussed. He is excellent at providing recommended actions that are both successful and well thought out.'
- 'Their attorneys are authorities in their field and are always very responsive. They support their clients but are honest in their approach when they believe the direction should change.'
- 'Available, professional, knowledgeable, supportive, and fighters when necessary.'
- 'DLA has an excellent employment law team. They are extremely knowledgeable in this area locally in New York as well as nationally, and provide up-to-date changes or modifications in existing laws that might affect the way our company needs to operate in the states where we are operating.'
- 'The lawyers are very personable, attentive, and knowledgeable, and they are always available to take our calls at all times of the day. They provide quick answers to our questions and are always available to deal with any problems or issues we encounter.'
Work highlights
Represented an international pharmaceutical manufacturer in comprehensive labor relations matters at a Connecticut facility, navigating collective bargaining, strike management, an employee withdrawal of recognition petition, and multiple NLRB unfair labor practice charges.
Represented an environmental services company in securing employee-initiated union decertification with 57% support in Las Vegas facility, while defending comprehensive NLRB proceedings and appealing adverse NLRB precedent to the DC Circuit.
Represented a port and terminal operator in labor matters for multi-location acquisitions, navigating complex double breasting, successorship, and joint employer issues across union and non-union facilities on the East Coast and Gulf Coast.
Other key lawyers
Joseph Piesco; Steve Lou Hernandez; Joshua Wan; Katarina Kingston