James W Bucking

Practice Areas

As Managing Partner, Jim is responsible for the firm’s day-to-day operations and overall strategic direction and growth. He sees his mission as ensuring that Foley Hoag provides superior results for our clients, while being an inclusive, collegial and rewarding place to work.

Jim is the immediate past chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment group. He represents corporations and other employers in union disputes, complex employment litigation and a wide range of other labor and employment matters.

Jim has extensive experience representing management at the bargaining table in union negotiations and litigating labor disputes in court, before arbitrators and at the National Labor Relations Board. Management clients have sought Jim’s representation in negotiations involving the Teamsters, SEIU, UFCW, hotel workers, electrical workers, steelworkers, auto workers, utility workers, broadcast employees, textile workers, building trades, security, and the Progressive Workers Union. He also advises clients on day-to-day personnel matters, drafts employment agreements and policies, and assists with sexual harassment and discrimination investigations.

Jim has worked extensively on behalf of such major corporations as Anheuser-Busch, Fenway Sports Group, PG&E National Energy Group, CVS Health, Starbucks, Credit Suisse, Boston Medical Center, Boston Globe, T-Mobile, Kimpton Hotels, Westmont Hospitality, Fairmont Hotels, Mariner Health Care, Owens & Minor, MasterCard, Dominion Energy, Clear Channel Outdoor, Cogentrix Energy, Guardian Life Insurance Company, H&M, Sanofi, Natixis, Loomis Sayles, Steward Health, Covanta, Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Ameriprise, PolyOne Corporation, Verizon and Cornell Dubilier Electronics, Inc.

Jim is recognized nationally as a leader in the labor and employment bar. He is a frequent thought leader, and regularly provides comments to major media organizations like the Wall Street Journal, American Lawyer, National Law Journal, Boston Business Journal, Lawyer’s Weekly, Inside Counsel, Boston.com, Salon.com, Employment Law 360, BNA Collective Bargaining Bulletin, Daily Labor Report, Human Resource Executive, SHRM HR Daily, Comstock’s Magazine, Workforce Management, West HR Advisor, Supervision Magazine, HR Daily Advisor, California Job Journal and Lawyer's Journal. In 2023, Jim was named the Cushing-Gavin Award Recipient for 'Management Attorney' by the Labor Guild. This recognition is awarded to one individual each year, and recognizes exceptional professionals in the labor relations community. His broadcast media activities include appearing on Emily Rooney’s "Greater Boston" program, WGBH-TV. He also spoke about layoffs on "The David Brudnoy Show" (WBZ Radio 1030 AM).

Education: University of Pennsylvania Law School, JD; Northeastern University, BS