John F. Kuenstler

John’s experience includes the defense of single- and multi-plaintiff, collective, and class action litigation involving wrongful discharge, discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, wage and hour disputes, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, PAGA, Section 1981, FMLA, FLSA, ERISA, USERRA, and WARN claims before federal and state courts and administrative agencies. He routinely advocates management’s interests in workplace tort, breach of contract, non-compete, non-solicitation, and other restrictive covenant cases. John is skilled in alternative dispute resolution, helping clients avoid the costs of prolonged legal disputes.

In addition to his litigation practice, John also represents clients at all levels of administrative proceedings, including matters before the EEOC, NLRB, OSHA, and DOL. For clients with organized workforces or those striving to remain union-free, John acts as the lead company negotiator for collective bargaining, defends employers in union grievance hearings and arbitrations, helps craft union avoidance campaigns, and provides legal counsel on the range of issues that can arise under the National Labor Relations Act.

Moreover, John guides employers through workforce reorganizations, reductions in force, mass layoffs, plant closings, wage and hour investigations, and whistleblower claims, avoiding litigation through proactive responses and creative business strategies. He also advises on employment practice audits, effective HR strategies, and reviewing and drafting employment policies, social media policies, handbooks, employment contracts, independent contractor agreements, employee leasing agreements, severance agreements, best practices policies, and training programs focused on issues that affect the employment relationship.