John R. Richards

Associate

John R. Richards is an associate in Morgan Lewis's Labor and Employment Practice. Mr. Richards represents and counsels management in a wide range of labor and employment issues, with a particular emphasis in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) litigation and employment discrimination. His employment background includes litigation arising under the ADEA, the Family Medical Leave Act, and other federal employment laws.

Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Mr. Richards clerked for Judge Gregory L. Frost of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. He also served as an intern for the Office of Political Affairs of the White House, the Ohio Attorney General's Office, and Legal Aid of Tennessee.

Mr. Richards earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 2006. While in law school, he participated in the LGBT clinic, serving for two years as an extern for Equality Advocates Pennsylvania. Mr. Richards worked on LGBT client matters, including name changes for transgender individuals, custody modifications, and employment discrimination. Mr. Richards earned his B.S., summa cum laude, in political science, with a minor in sociology, from Vanderbilt University in 2003.

Mr. Richards is actively involved in Lambda Legal and the Human Rights Campaign. He has authored or co-authored numerous articles addressing issues arising under ERISA litigation, employment law, and federal tort and product liability law.

Mr. Richards is admitted to practice in Illinois and the District of Columbia and before the U.S. District Courts for the Northern District of Illinois, the Southern District of Ohio, and the Western District of Michigan.