John has over 40 years’ experience representing employers in all facets of labor and employment law and businesses in commercial and complex litigation in numerous industries. A locally and nationally known and respected management labor lawyer, he negotiates and administers collective bargaining agreements, counsels employers on union avoidance, protects employers from unlawful union activities and corporate campaigns, provides guidance on employment policies, business acquisitions, divestitures and restructurings and litigates before the National Labor Relations Board, federal and state administrative agencies, arbitration panels and federal and state courts. He has obtained jury verdicts in several states for employers in employment discrimination, sexual harassment and wrongful discharge cases. He has counselled and successfully defended employers before OSHA and MSHA. John’s knowledge of business organizations and transactions and his courtroom skills have built an extensive practice in commercial and complex litigation, including cases involving trade secrets and non-competition covenants, shareholder disputes, lender liability, commercial transactions, construction and real estate development projects and antitrust. An extremely versatile lawyer, John assists in drafting business agreements so that future problems can be minimized.
Court Memberships
All Missouri state courts
All Illinois state courts
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd, 6th, 7th, 8th and D.C. Circuits
U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Missouri, Central and Southern Districts of Illinois and Eastern District of Michigan
Department of Veterans Affairs (Accredited Attorney)
Representative Experience
Some highlights of John’s representations include:
Representation of large acute-care hospital in three large-scale union organizing drives and elections resulting in NLRB election wins
Obtained and collected $175,000 trial verdict for construction firm against labor union for illegal picketing
Obtained dismissal of shareholders derivative lawsuit and pursued RICO damage suit for publicly-owned client targeted by union corporate campaign
Represented retailer in nation-wide class action challenging discriminatory promotion practices
Successful representation of several employers in workplace fatality proceedings before OSHA and state agencies
Obtained and collected $2 million jury verdict for manufacturer for breach of contract
Successful representation of real estate developer in lender liability litigation
Obtained injunctive relief and damages against sales representatives who breached restrictive covenants in employment agreements
Obtained jury verdict for employer in litigation under WARN Act
Obtained substantial settlements for manufacturer from price-fixing conspiracy among suppliers
Represented general contractor in successful bid protest resulting in award of $75 million project
Corporate/Charitable Organizations
Associated General Contractors of America
Southern Illinois Builders Association (General Counsel)
Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois, Board of Directors
Professional Affiliations & Memberships
Fellow, American College of Labor & Employment Lawyers
Secy/Treasurer, Associated General Contractors of America Labor and Employment Law Council
American Bar Association, Sections of Litigation, Construction and Labor/Employment Law
Illinois State Bar Associaiton
Missouri Bar Association
Bar Assn. of Metropolitan St. Louis
Publications, Presentations & Teaching
Faculty Member, SIU-Edwardsville Construction Leadership Institute
Community Involvement
Member, Legislative Committee, Clayton Chamber of Commerce
Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, 1969-1972, Vietnam Service and Campaign Medals
Honors, Distinctions & Ratings
AIOLC 2016 – 10 Best Labor & Employment Lawyers in Missouri
Best Lawyers in America (2016 to present)
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating
Super Lawyer (2006 to present)
Top 100 Labor Attorneys (Labor Relations Institute)
Practice Areas
Labor & Employment
Litigation
Education
J.D. (cum laude), St. Louis University, 1975 (Order of the Woolsack, Law Review Editor)
B.A. (Economics), Yale University, 1969
Bar Admissions
Missouri, 1975
Illinois, 1976