John R. Richards

Associate

John R. Richards is an associate in Morgan Lewis's Labor and Employment Practice. Mr. Richards represents clients on a wide range of labor and employment matters with an emphasis on class action and multiparty litigation arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and state wage and hour collective and class actions arising under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

His ERISA litigation background includes lawsuits alleging breach of fiduciary duty in connection with employer securities, mutual funds as 401(k) investment options, retiree medical benefits, and early retirement programs; reporting and disclosure violations; denial of pension and welfare benefits; and state-law claims preempted by ERISA. He has published multiple articles and papers on ERISA litigation topics. His employment background includes litigation arising under the ADEA, the Family Medical Leave Act, and other federal employment laws. Mr. Richards is listed as a "Rising Star" in the 2009 and 2010 editions of Illinois Super Lawyers and was selected as one of the "40 Best LGBT Attorneys Under 40" by the National LGBT Bar Association in 2010.

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, the Western District of Michigan, and the Eastern District of Wisconsin.