Rodrick D. James Holmes

Rodrick D. Holmes is a Partner in the Labor and Employment Practice Group of Reifers Holmes & Peters LLC and a recognized leader in public transit governance, operations, and regulatory compliance. His practice uniquely blends deep experience in workforce law with hands-on leadership advising transit agencies, transit boards, and transportation executives on organizational strategy, labor relations, and federally regulated operational matters.

Rodrick serves as a senior legal and policy advisor to transit authorities, providing guidance on FTA, DOT, and FRA compliance; operational reform; procurement and financial controls; board governance; crisis and safety response; and large-scale workforce and organizational restructuring. He frequently counsels transit boards and executive teams on policy development, risk management, collective bargaining, and implementation of transformative operational initiatives.

Equally, Rodrick maintains a robust labor and employment practice. He represents clients in federal and state courts on matters involving the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), Title VII, the ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, workers’ compensation, and restrictive covenant litigation. He also handles proceedings before the EEOC and U.S. Department of Labor, and advises employers on personnel policies, handbooks, internal investigations, discipline, and the drafting and negotiation of employment, severance, and executive agreements.

Rodrick is a Board Member of the Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) for Memphis and Shelby County, where he helps drive regional economic strategy. He also serves nationally as Chair of the Employment Law Committee for the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel (NARTC), shaping employment-law education and direction within the rail industry.

In addition to his practice and board service, Rodrick is an adjunct professor at the University of Arkansas School of Law, Fayetteville, where he teaches in the labor and employment curriculum and brings practical experience from both the public transportation and litigation arenas.