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Labor and Employment Law on Behalf of the Energy Industry

As counsel to energy employers across the nation, we are concerned with every aspect of the employer-employee relationship in the energy industry. Our decades of experience across a wide range of industries and practice areas can help you control your labor costs, avoid workplace disputes, and defend yourself when litigation arises.

Venable's labor and employment attorneys understand the unique issues important to energy industry employers. Our in-depth knowledge of this highly regulated industry allows us to provide advice on a wide variety of labor and employment issues critical to businesses in the energy sector, such as unionization, collective bargaining, reduction of labor costs, healthcare benefits, ERISA liability, and workplace safety. Clients tell Chambers and Partners that "Venable has a very credible core of labor and employment lawyers."

Employers who use our services include both unionized and non-union coal companies, oil companies, power plants, and a broad spectrum of energy service related firms. Our attorneys represent these employers in nearly any labor and employment law issue that may arise, including mediation, arbitration, litigation, and agency proceedings. Venable attorneys have negotiated numerous watershed labor agreements with some of the country's most powerful unions, including the United Steelworkers of America; United Mine Workers of America; the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union; the International Brotherhood of Teamsters; and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Recognizing that the goal of our clients is to prevent and manage their business risks, we regularly counsel and train clients on the legal and practical issues during union organizing efforts and campaigns, employee terminations, arbitration, and contract administration and interpretation. Our attorneys are also frequently asked to provide education and training for managers on all aspects of personnel management.

Practice Focus

  • Arbitrations
  • Audits
  • Class actions
  • Collective bargaining
  • Diversity / affirmative action
  • EEO / harassment claims
  • Employee benefits
  • Employment agreements
  • Employment disputes
  • ERISA compliance
  • Financial services wage compliance
  • Government contract
  • Healthcare cost reduction
  • Intellectual property litigation
  • Immigration sanctions
  • Labor cost reductions in mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcy, and healthcare
  • Litigation
  • NLRB, union campaigns, and ULPs
  • OSHA counseling and litigation
  • Personnel policies
  • Trade secrets / non-competes
  • Wage and overtime claims
  • WARN Act compliance
  • Whistleblower

Industry Focus

  • California
  • Colleges and universities
  • Construction
  • Energy
  • Entertainment / media
  • Financial services
  • Government contracting
  • Healthcare
  • Hospitality
  • Independent schools
  • Information technology
  • Manufacturing
  • Nonprofits / trade associations
  • Public employers
  • Retail
  • Telecommunications
  • Transportation

Related Services

Experience
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Venable attorneys have been involved in numerous engagements as labor and employment counsel for energy organizations, including the following:

  • Assisted in negotiations for labor agreements for affiliates of a large energy corporation involving significant modifications to retiree healthcare eligibility criteria
  • Participated as principal advisor in collective bargaining that resulted in a replacement agreement and special drug formulary for one of the nation's largest coal mining companies, thereby reducing prescription drug costs for employers
  • Bargained for and drafted retirement and healthcare plans pursuant to collective bargaining agreements
  • Counseled energy employers in dealing with union organizing, unfair labor practice charges, and labor issues arising from mergers, acquisitions, and bankruptcy
  • Counseled energy employers in handling all aspects of employee benefits
  • Arbitrated issues in both labor and employee benefit matters for energy industry employers
  • Litigated labor and ERISA cases in federal courts around the country

Recognition
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  • Chambers USA, Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation), 2016 – 2023
  • The Best Lawyers in America, 2020 – 2022 (Venable attorney selected for inclusion)