Urban, James S.

Current Employment Position(s)

Partner

Lawyer Overview

Jim Urban has broad experiences in labor, employment, and employee benefits law. In the area of employment discrimination, he has defended employers in state and federal courts as well as before administrative agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, against claims of gender, race, national origin, and disability discrimination. Jim also has counseled employers on employment discrimination issues that typically arise in the workplace.

In the area of traditional labor law, Jim has defended employers against, and prosecuted on behalf of employers, unfair labor practice charges filed before the National Labor Relations Board. He has represented employers in labor arbitration proceedings involving issues of collective bargaining agreement interpretation. He has pursued injunctive relief in federal and state courts on behalf of employers during labor strikes or work slowdowns. He also has extensive experience counseling employers on bargaining obligations, bargaining unit scope issues, and strike-related issues.

In the area of employee benefits, Jim has defended employers in federal court against Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) claims, including claims of unlawful benefit cutbacks. Jim also has counseled employers on ERISA issues related to force reductions and mergers and acquisitions.

Jim has experience drafting and negotiating contracts, including executive employment agreements, noncompete agreements, and severance agreements.

Prior to attending law school, Jim worked as a journalist for 10 years, including stints as a reporter and editor for The Associated Press and as editor-in-chief of Executive Report magazine. He's also freelanced for The New York Times, United Press International, and Reuters News Service, among other news organizations. In 1998, he coauthored The Power of Pittsburgh, a book published by the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce that chronicled the transition of the Pittsburgh regional economy from heavy manufacturing to high-technology.

Areas of Practice

• Labor & Employment

Representative Cases

• CBS Corporation defeats class certification and settles age discrimination and ERISA action , (2009)
• CBS Corporation defeats ERISA class action in 3rd Circuit
• CBS defends against individual age discrimination lawsuits after dismissal of class action
• CBS obtains favorable settlement in ERISA action
• CBS obtains partial summary judgment dismissing age discrimination class and settles single-plaintiff claims
• CBS settles breach of fiduciary duty claim before trial against former employee
• CBS wins dismissal of former employee's ERISA and ADEA action
• CitiFinancial win in dismissal of employee defamation and wrongful termination suit is affirmed on appeal
• CTS Corp obtains favorable settlement in WARN and COBRA action arising out reduction in force at PA plant
• Metal Traders prevails in discrimination lawsuit after eight days of trial , (2009)
• National City Bank of Pennsylvania defeats class certification in bank branch employees' wage and hour FLSA action
• National City Bank of Pennsylvania defends against wage and hour class action
• National City Bank of Pennsylvania wins favorable verdict in contract breach lawsuit , (2009)
• PotashCorp obtains dismissal of suit alleging retaliatory discharge in violation of Sarbanes-Oxley Act
• R.H. Donnelley wins summary judgment in gender and racial discrimination case
• Telecommunications conglomerate defends against arbitration involving collective bargaining agreement
• Telecommunications conglomerate files unfair labor practice charge against the union
• U.S. Steel prevails in "donning & doffing" FLSA case filed by United Steelworkers local union , (2009)
• U.S. Steel wins summary judgment in putative nationwide FLSA collective action of "donning & doffing" , (2009)
• Verizon defends against labor arbitrations involving contract administration and enforcement with the IBEW and CWA
• Verizon obtains temporary restraining order against illegal union work slowdown
• Verizon wins summary judgment in ADA suit alleging disability discrimination
• Verizon Wireless defends against putative nationwide FLSA collective action brought by retail store employees
• Verizon's motion to dismiss age and gender discrimination claims is granted by district court and upheld by 3rd Circuit
• Westinghouse Government Services obtains injunction to settle strike

West Practice Categories

Collective Bargaining, Labor Arbitration, Labor Disputes, Labor Law, Labor Legislation, Labor Relations Boards & Proceedings, Unfair Labor Practices, Unions, Wage & Hour Laws, Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act

Bar Admissions

• Pennsylvania

Education

• Duquesne University
• U of Pittsburgh- Pitt (Main)

Address

500 Grant Street, Suite 4500
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2514

Phones

1.412.394.7906 (Business Phone)

Faxes

1.412.394.7959 (Business Fax)

Emails

Contact Us (Business Email)

Websites

http://www.jonesday.com