James R. Hays

Mr. Hays is a partner in the Labor & Employment Practice Group in the firm's New York office and co-chairs the firm's Traditional Labor Law Team.

Areas of Practice

Mr. Hays' practice focuses on management labor and employment law. He represents clients in collective bargaining negotiations, labor arbitrations, and all stages of the labor election process, including election campaigns and hearings before the National Labor Relations Board. He also represents clients in employment litigation in federal and state courts, as well as various arbitration forums, and in proceedings before various administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the United States Department of Labor, and state agencies throughout the United States.

Mr. Hays advises and has represented clients in litigation concerning breach of non-compete agreements and theft of trade secrets. He advises employers on strategies for handling workplace harassment, internal investigations, reductions in staff, discipline and termination actions, and wage and hour issues. Mr. Hays devotes significant time to the defense of complex wage and hour class action litigation. He regularly counsels clients on preparation and administration of personnel policies and employment strategies and compliance with WARN, FMLA, ADA, COBRA and other federal and state labor statutes.

Good to know

Areas of Practice 1) Labor & Employment
Law School New York University School of Law (J.D., 1990)
Education Catholic University (B.A., 1982)
Bar Member / Association New York State Bar Association, Connecticut State Bar Association
Most recent firm Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Barbara A. Fitzgerald
Barbara A. Fitzgerald

Ms. Fitzgerald represents employers in a wide range of industries, including the entertainment, financial services, hospitality, manufacturing, retail, and transportation industries.

Carol R. Freeman
Carol R. Freeman

Carol R. Freeman is a partner in Morgan Lewis's Labor and Employment Practice. Ms. Freeman represents employers in employment law, labor relations, and related administrative claims and litigation.

Dennis J. Morikawa
Dennis J. Morikawa

Dennis J. Morikawa is a partner in Morgan Lewis's Labor and Employment Practice, where he heads the Occupational Safety and Health Law Practice.