John R. Richards

Experience: Counseling & Management Training: Designed and conducted respectful workforce training, LGBTQ+ awareness and risk-mitigation training, wage and hour training, workplace investigation training, and other programs for upper- and mid-level management for employers ranging from global retailers and financial institutions to small employers operating at a single site.; Acted as counsel to many employers, including global luxury brands and everyday goods retailers, to investigate and resolve claimed harassment of employees by high-level executives, supervisors, coworkers, residents, clients, and customers.; Conducted sexual and racial harassment investigations, prepared or counseled employers on the preparation of investigation reports, and counseled on both specific and systemic measures to minimize the risk of lawsuits or liability.; Worked closely with employers to design and implement improved, preventive human resources systems, including development of new employee-facing policies and HR/supervisor manuals, development and redevelopment of job descriptions, performance review systems, and disciplinary procedures and training of managers on all of the above-substantially diminishing cycles of administrative charges and/or employment litigation against these clients.; FLSA Audits: Provided Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) classification status and job description recommendations to a health insurance company in the United States for approximately 1,500 employees in 268 job positions in 55 locations.; Provided FLSA classification status and job description recommendations and analyzed timekeeping practices to a nationwide residential and commercial carpet cleaner for approximately 300 employees in 20 job positions nationwide.; Provided FLSA classification status and job description recommendations to a nationwide shoe manufacturer and retailer for 130 positions nationwide.; Wage and Hour Class & Collective Actions: Obtained a creatively structured multi-step, claims made only, revisionary settlement of California and nationwide class and collective action on behalf of global retailer family of companies resulting in an extraordinarily low opt-in rate and payout per class member that was pennies on the dollar and unprecedented both in the retail industry and for uniform reimbursement cases.; Obtained favorable settlement of California class and nationwide collective action on behalf of global retailer family of companies seeking unpaid wages under California law and the FLSA premised on the core contention that employees were not properly compensated for pre-shift activities involving determining whether the employee should report for work or for finding shift replacements; the settlement is the lowest known per capita settlement of such a case when compared to recent industry settlements.; Trimmed putative class and nationwide collective action alleging failure to compensate properly for off-the-clock work, in violation of FLSA and the Illinois Minimum Wage Law, to only the branch in which the named plaintiff worked.; Obtained settlement after taking over as counsel in putative California class action of global retailer alleging failure to compensate properly for off-the-clock work, meal and rest break violations, failure to pay wages at termination, and failure to issue compliant wage statements and maintain accurate records under California law; as well as individual state law claim for race discrimination and harassment.; Obtained favorable settlements of putative class and collective action claims under the FLSA and state laws alleging that loan officers were misclassified as exempt from overtime and were subject to unlawful deductions from their wages.; LGBTQ+ Litigation: Obtained favorable settlement of Fortune 50 company in nationwide and state class action alleging violations of Title VII and Equal Pay Act for past denial of same-sex spousal benefits.; Obtained favorable settlement of individual claim alleging discrimination based on sexual orientation and age for for-profit corporation that provides quality control and research for interest group.; Single-Plaintiff Cases: Favorably represented clients in numerous single-plaintiff cases alleging various forms of discrimination, harassment, failure to accommodate and/or retaliation under federal and state law.; Secured dismissal in 2015 Title VII action alleging harassment, discrimination, and retaliation based on race and state law claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress against law firm.; Obtained favorable settlement of alleged violation of Colorado's Nursing Mother Act and separate EEOC charge for sex discrimination, retaliation, and constructive discharge.; Secured Special Immigrant Juvenile Status on behalf of minor from Honduras; defeated motion to dismiss filed by state; obtained judgment from court ordering the state of Illinois to prosecute dependency petition.; Previous Experience: Equality Advocates Pennsylvania, 2005-2006; The White House, Office of Political Affairs, Summer 2002; Ohio Attorney General's Office; Capital Crimes, Summer 2001; Policy/Constituent Services, Summer 2000