For more than 25 years, Jim has represented employers in the full range of workplace issues with an emphasis on collective bargaining, labor arbitrations, contract administration and employment law litigation. He is a Director in the Employment Litigation, Labor and Employment and OSHA Litigation Groups.
Prior to joining Cohen & Grigsby in 2008, Jim was a Partner and the former firm-wide Head of the Labor, Employment & Employee Benefits Department at Reed Smith. He specializes in handling labor contract negotiations for large and small employers in a variety of industries, including steel, coal, trucking, glass, sports franchises, health care establishments, school districts and service providers. Related to his work with labor contracts, he has represented employers in more than 250 labor arbitration cases.
He counsels employers regarding sexual harassment; union avoidance; and compliance with employment laws applicable to both represented and non-represented employees, including Title VII, ADEA, ADA, FMLA, WARN and FLSA. He represents employers in retiree medical benefit and severance pay disputes, as well as class-action suits.
He provides practical advice about discipline and discharge, hiring, promotion, reductions in force, voluntary retirement plans, personnel policies and handbooks, executive employment agreements, restrictive covenant agreements and all other workplace issues.
Jim has represented employers in union organizing campaigns and National Labor Relations Act proceedings. He has also defended employers in state and federal court litigation and before government agencies, and represented employers in civil and criminal OSHA proceedings.
Jim is a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association and has also served as a board member for the Holy Family Institute for more than 20 years. He also serves as vice president of the Ross Mountain Club.
Jim is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and in Pennsylvania Super Lawyers.