Rodney A Harrison

Class Action, Employment Law, Unfair Competition and Trade Secrets, Wage and Hour, Higher Education, Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution, Technology, Traditional Labor Relations, Workplace Investigations and Organizational Assessments

Since 1996, Mr. Harrison has dedicated his legal career exclusively to representing companies in all facets of labor and employment law. With nearly three decades of experience, he is a trusted advisor to employers nationwide, providing strategic counsel on a wide range of workplace issues, including internal investigations, leave and attendance management, disciplinary actions, and termination decisions. Mr. Harrison currently serves on the Firm’s Board of Directors, and as Co-Chair of the Firm’s Innovation Council, where has led the Firm’s AI and innovation strategy over the past several years.

Throughout his career, Mr. Harrison has represented clients in federal and state courts across the United States. His litigation experience spans individual and class action claims under Title VII, the ADA, ERISA, the ADEA, the FMLA, and collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act. He has also successfully represented employers in labor and employment arbitrations and before administrative agencies. Mr. Harrison is particularly well-versed in FMLA and ADA compliance, regularly guiding clients through complex workplace accommodation and leave matters. He has substantial experience managing wage and hour audits with the Department of Labor and defending class and collective action lawsuits in both state and federal courts. His recent representations include:

- Defending corporate and franchise pizza companies in delivery driver claims involving credit, mileage reimbursement, uniform, and off-the-clock issues;

- Representing fast food and water utility companies in misclassification cases;

- Defending a software company and a casino in misclassification disputes brought by project managers and front-line supervisors, respectively;

- Representing a security company in off-the-clock litigation;

- Defending a manufacturing facility against unionized hourly workers’ donning and doffing claims.

Mr. Harrison’s practice also encompasses traditional labor law, including matters under the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act. He has advised both public and private sector clients on labor arbitrations, contract negotiations, and union organizing campaigns. His clients span a broad range of industries, such as construction, steel, telecommunications, utilities, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, distribution, and transportation. He has extensive experience working with unions including the Steelworkers, Teamsters, Laborers, Operating Engineers, and Chemical Workers.

A recognized authority on the Railway Labor Act, Mr. Harrison handles major and minor disputes, arbitration reviews, strike threats, union representation issues, RLA preemption matters, and collective bargaining disputes. He has represented clients before federal courts, the Surface Transportation Board, and the National Mediation Board. His experience includes:

- Representing air carriers in FLSA and state wage and hour litigation for alleged unpaid overtime and meal periods;

- Enjoining threatened strikes by major rail unions;

- Enforcing and vacating arbitration awards in court and before the STB;

- Representing air and rail carriers in union election proceedings;

- Litigating major dispute actions and RLA preemption issues;

- Advising on wrongful discharge and breach of contract claims under the RLA;

- Counseling airlines and railroads on general labor relations and employment discrimination matters.

In addition, Mr. Harrison is highly experienced in non-compete and trade secret litigation, representing clients in federal and state courts in cases involving breach of contract, misappropriation of trade secrets, computer fraud, and violations of the Stored Electronic Communications Act. He regularly assists clients in enforcing restrictive covenants and navigating the complexities of hiring employees subject to such agreements.

Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis

American Bar Association (Labor & Employment Law Section, Railway and Airline Labor Law Committee)

Defense Research Institute (Employment Law Committee, Vice Chair, Program Subcommittee)

St. Louis University School of Law (Adjunct Professor)

Human Resource Management Association (Program Committee)

Society for Human Resources Management