Joe focuses his practice on a variety of labor and employment matters, including workers' compensation defense. He is certified by the Ohio State Bar Association as a Specialist in Labor & Employment Law. He also serves as Co-General Counsel of the Firm.
Before becoming an attorney, Joe spent 18 years in the steel industry, working in several management areas, including industrial engineering, accounting, finance, and strategic planning. Joe frequently speaks on the topics of labor and employment, workers' compensation, and legal professionalism and ethics.
Representative Experience
- Compelled arbitration of claims asserted by an independent contractor for alleged discrimination and retaliation under Title VII.
- Opposed a complaint and motion for a temporary restraining order filed by the former employer of two of client’s current employees. Argued the client’s position at hearing. Motion was denied and plaintiff dismissed case.
- Represented Shearer’s Foods, LLC in matters including conducting #metoo Sexual Harassment and union avoidance trainings at five facilities, OSHA investigations in Ohio and Iowa, a discrimination lawsuit in Oregon, a business defamation claim in Nevada, a class action in Ohio and a wrongful death claim against four supervisors in Iowa state court arising out of the same incident.
- Represented a private equity sponsor in its acquisition of the assets of a domestic and international intermodal drayage and transportation logistics company.
- Defended several nursing homes in employment intentional tort and retaliation cases. Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a nursing home in a wrongful discharge and defamation case in Ohio and recovered attorney fees on behalf of the client pursuant to Ohio’s Frivolous Conduct Statute.
- Worked with a large health care provider to lower both its claims and administrative costs by advising on how to become self-insured for workers' compensation.
- Represented a nursing home in wage/hour litigation in federal and state court. The plaintiff initially filed a collective action in U.S. District Court (N.D. of Ohio). Nursing home prevailed in this case upon a motion to dismiss based on the Fair Labor Standard Act companionship exemption. Plaintiff then re-filed in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. This second case was vigorously defended and plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the action with prejudice on the eve of trial.
- Represented a national specialty health care provider in a False Claim Act retaliation case.
- Represented a dental service organization in a discrimination case.
- Represented health care employers during union organization drives.
