Gene is a veteran labor and employment lawyer with experience in these practice areas dating from 1975 when he worked on the defense of a class action race discrimination case that ultimately reached the United States Supreme Court. He has consistently represented employers in union avoidance, defense of union organizing campaigns in a variety of industries, including brewing, candy manufacturing, textile, printing and corrugated box manufacturing, as examples, and in negotiating collective bargaining agreements. He advises employers on day-to-day issues relating to their incumbent unions, including grievance and arbitration matters.
Gene is also a veteran litigator in all types of labor and employment disputes in federal and state courts, and in federal and state agencies, including the NLRB, DOL, OFCCP and EEOC, to name a few. He regularly advises employers in connection with strategies for managing the employment relationship and the termination of those relationships. He helps employers protect competitive advantage, their proprietary information and trade secrets.
Honors and Other Distinctions
Recognized as one of America's Leading Lawyers for Employment Law by Chambers USA (2005-2011).
Selected by Law & Politics as a Virginia Super Lawyer in Employment & Labor (2011).
Achieved Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards.
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America in Labor and Employment Law (1989-2012).
Named to Virginia Business magazine's Legal Elite in Labor and Employment law (2003-2010)
Representative Experience
Served as outside labor counsel for large Western brewer and headed up the defense of two organizing attempts by a local of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in which the union was defeated in its efforts to win the right to represent the client's employees.
Represented a multi-national pharmaceutical manufacturer in winning summary judgment in an unusual case in which the plaintiff brought claims for disability harassment and constructive discharge. The victory for the employer was upheld in the Federal court of appeals.
Obtained summary judgment for regional banking institution in an ERISA lawsuit in which over 30 plaintiffs claimed entitlement to lifetime retiree health insurance.
Obtained a jury verdict for a publicly traded real estate developer sued by a former executive who claimed entitlement to over $4 million for breach of contract and fraud.
Won two cases at summary judgment that were brought by the same plaintiff against a silicon wafer manufacturer for alleged violations of the Family & Medical Leave Act and Title VII (race, religion and national origin discrimination theories).
Won summary judgment for privately held packaging company in suit by former employee claiming race discrimination and retaliation.
Awarded summary judgment in an age and gender discrimination case brought by terminated customer service employee.
Won a bench trial for a company accused of misappropriating trade secrets and other confidential information when it hired a manager formerly employed by the plaintiff in the case.
Presentations and Speaking Engagements
Speaker, 2009 SHRM Supervisory Seminar Series, "What Supervisors Need To Know About Medical Issues and Maintaining A Union Free Environment At Work" (October 7, 2009).
Speaker, Troutman Sanders Annual Labor & Employment Seminar, "Status of the Employee Free Choice Act", Richmond, VA (November 2009).
Speaker, Troutman Sanders Annual Labor & Employment Seminar, "Threats to Employers on the Horizon - Labor and Employment Law", Richmond, VA (November 2008).
Memberships
· Richmond Bar Association
· Virginia Bar Association (Member, Labor and Employment Law Section)