John Hodges-Howell

For over a decade, John Hodges-Howell has represented employers of all sizes across multiple industries in traditional labor and employment litigation. In John's traditional labor practice, his clients trust him to develop a comprehensive labor strategy that spans counseling on union avoidance, serving as chief negotiator in collective bargaining, and litigating in arbitrations and agency proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board or equivalent state agencies.

John's clients know him as being committed to helping solve their problems, regardless of how complex or seemingly insurmountable they may at first seem. For instance, because John's public sector clients partner with and have acquired private enterprises, he is experienced in addressing novel issues around joint and dual employment, and in resolving jurisdictional conflicts between the NLRB and state agencies charged with enforcing state labor laws. He also advises his private sectors clients on thorny labor issues stemming from mergers and acquisitions.

In addition to John's traditional labor practice, he is an experienced employment litigator, defending his clients against whistleblower and employment discrimination, wage and hour, and breach of contract claims before state and federal courts and administrative agencies (i.e., OSHA). He also is an accomplished appellate advocate with substantial experience making constitutional and federal preemption arguments in federal and state courts, including the Washington State Supreme Court.

John's clients include universities, libraries, airlines, hospitals, and both large and small manufacturers located in Washington and across the nation. He frequently presents on labor issues and is a Sr. Editor for the seminal treatise on the Railway Labor Act.