Outgoing National Labor Relations Board Member Harry I. Johnson Joins Morgan Lewis

New Partner Deepens Premier Labor and Employment Practice

LOS ANGELES--()--Harry I. Johnson, until recently a member of the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), will join Morgan Lewis on October 1 as a partner. Mr. Johnson adds to the deep bench of talent in the firm’s premier Labor and Employment Practice, and his presence will further enhance its capabilities to serve employers on labor-management issues.

The NLRB is an independent agency—members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the US Senate—that enforces the National Labor Relations Act, one of the fundamental statutes in the United States governing private sector labor-management relations. The NLRB is charged with conducting labor union representation elections and investigating unfair labor practices. The term of only one NLRB member expires each year.

Morgan Lewis has a tradition of lawyers serving on the NLRB, including current senior counsel Chuck Cohen. Mr. Johnson, who left the NLRB at the end of his term on August 27, was appointed to the Board at the same time as a former Morgan Lewis partner, Philip Miscimarra.

In addition to his experience on the NLRB, Mr. Johnson has an extensive background in class action defense and traditional labor matters that will be an asset to employers needing assistance in collective bargaining or advice on labor matters related to mergers and acquisitions, arbitrations, union organizing campaigns, and federal and state injunctions. A veteran in private practice of more than 40 California and federal wage-hour class and collective action cases, he will also defend employers’ positions in the courts as well as advise on risk management and other issues, such as those resulting from California’s broadranging wage and break laws.

“We are delighted that Harry has decided to join Morgan Lewis. His experience and background will be a tremendous asset for our clients,” said Firm Chair Jami McKeon. “By adding a lawyer of Harry’s caliber and expertise, we continue our strong historical association with the NLRB and augment the depth of our leading labor and employment practice.”

“In addition to his critical insight into regulatory policies and procedures, Harry is a seasoned litigator who has a reputation for being a practical problem-solver,” said Joseph Costello, leader of Morgan Lewis’s Labor and Employment Practice. “He also will be a valuable resource for employers doing business in California.”

Mr. Johnson joins one of the most honored and respected labor and employment legal teams in the United States. The practice is ranked in Band 1 for Chambers USA (2015), one of only four firms to receive the highest ranking, and 31 individual lawyers are recognized by Chambers as leaders in their field. The team was the winner of The Legal 500’s United States Awards for Labor and Employment – Full Service Firm in 2014 and 2015.

Mr. Johnson will be resident in the firm’s Los Angeles and Santa Monica offices.

About Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Founded in 1873, Morgan Lewis offers more than 2,000 lawyers, patent agents, benefits advisers, regulatory scientists, and other specialists in 28 offices across the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The firm provides comprehensive litigation, corporate, transactional, regulatory, intellectual property, and labor and employment legal services to clients of all sizes—from globally established industry leaders to just-conceived start-ups. For more information about Morgan Lewis or its practices, please visit us online at www.morganlewis.com.

Contacts

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Elliott Frieder, +1.212.309.6809
Director, Public Relations & Communications
efrieder@morganlewis.com

Release Summary

Harry I. Johnson, until recently a member of the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), will join Morgan Lewis on October 1 as a partner.

Contacts

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Elliott Frieder, +1.212.309.6809
Director, Public Relations & Communications
efrieder@morganlewis.com