John M. Stephen

Specialization

• Labor & Employment
  • Employment litigation
  • Class and collective actions
  • Trade secret protection and non-competition
  • NLRB and other unfair labor practices representation
  • Employment law compliance counseling
  • State and federal workplace safety and health
  • Reductions-in-force and restructuring
  • Workplace privacy and technology
  • Recruiting, hiring and training
  • Whistleblowing and retaliation
  • Leave, FMLA and ADA reasonable accommodation counseling
  • Executive compensation
  • Wage and hour compliance
  • Affirmative action
• COVID-19

About John's Practice

John Stephen has practiced exclusively in the labor and employment law field for more than 40 years, representing employers throughout the country in administrative, arbitration, mediation, trial and appellate proceedings involving all types of labor and employment issues ranging from employment discrimination and wrongful discharge claims to alleged non-compete and wage and hour violations.

In addition to being admitted to all Ohio courts; the U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second, Third and Sixth Circuits; and U.S. District Courts in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois; John frequently provides training to employers and industry groups on human resource “best practices” and litigation avoidance. He has been an adjunct professor at the Capital University Law and Graduate Center since 1987 and co-editor of Ohio Employment Practices Law (Thompson-West) from 1991-2014. John is recognized in by Best Lawyers® and Chambers USA in the area of Labor and Employment Law and by Ohio Super Lawyers®. He was also nominated as a BTI Client Service All-Star for 2013.

Education

• The Ohio State University College of Law  (J.D., 1979)
• DePauw University  (B.A., cum laude, 1976)

Major Publications & Speaking Engagements

• Co-Editor, Ohio Employment Law Letter
• Contributing Editor, Great Lakes Employment Law Letter

Professional Recognition

• Best Lawyers®, Columbus, Ohio Employment Law – Management, “Lawyer of the Year,” 2020
• Best Lawyers®, Labor Law – Management, Employment Law – Management
• Chambers USA, Labor & Employment, Ohio
• Ohio Super Lawyers®
• BTI Client Service All-Star, 2013

Admitted to Practice

• Ohio
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
• U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
• U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
• Supreme Court of the United States