Michael B. Howard, Ph.D., is a member of the firm's Labor and Employment practice group. Mike regularly litigates federal and state claims of workplace harassment, retaliation, and failure to accommodate disabilities in federal and state court. Mike also litigates and provides advice in the areas of state and federal wage and hour law, FMLA compliance, workplace harassment and violence prevention, independent contractor status including the Maryland Workplace Fraud Act, and reductions in force and the Warn Act. Mike regularly drafts severance agreements and releases, Executive employment agreements, commission agreements, employee handbooks, and vacation and leave policies. Mike's traditional labor experience includes negotiating collective bargaining agreements, supervising elections, providing advice regarding campaigning during an election period, and 301 litigation.
Mike has significant experience litigating wage and hour class and collective actions, including claims alleging misclassification of employees as exempt from state and federal minimum wage and overtime laws and allegations of failure to pay travel time and on-call time.
Mike also regularly assists construction clients manage their obligations under the Davis Bacon Act's prevailing wage and fringe benefit requirements and new state laws targeting certain industries that classify employees as independent contractors.
Mike graduated with Honors from The George Washington University School of Law. He earned a doctorate in molecular microbiology from the University of Maryland and two bachelor's degrees in Biochemistry and French from Lebanon Valley College.
Credentials
Andrew Moyer Award for Excellence in Research, University of Maryland
Henry R. Berger Award for demonstrated excellence in the area of tort law at The George Washington University Law School
Publications
"Your Bed Bug Response Plan," The National Law Review (Co-Authored) (November 21, 2011).
"Your Bed Bug Response Plan," Risk Management Magazine (Co-Author) (November 2011).
"Digging into the Health Care Reform Laws - Issues for Employers and Employees," Maryland State Bar Association Newsletter (2010).
Speaking Engagements
"Complying with OSHA Recordkeeping Requirements: Making Your Program Bullet Proof," Online Webinar (Panelist) (May 14, 2012).
"Is there Any Bite to Bed Bug Litigation?" Baltimore, Maryland (June 16, 2011).