Press Release

Morgan Lewis Welcomes Back Former NLRB chairman Philip A. Miscimarra as Partner

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

WASHINGTON, DC, and CHICAGO, February 20, 2018: Morgan Lewis today welcomes back Philip A. Miscimarra, who most recently served as chairman of the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), as a partner in the firm’s Washington, DC, and Chicago offices.

Mr. Miscimarra was a Morgan Lewis partner from 2005 until he was nominated to the NLRB by President Barack Obama in 2013. President Donald Trump elevated Mr. Miscimarra to the chairmanship of the board in 2017.

“We are delighted that Phil is rejoining our firm following his important service as a member and chairman of the NLRB,” said Firm Chair Jami McKeon. “His thoughtful and collaborative approach to determining matters of labor law was recognized by two presidents of very different philosophies and will certainly serve our clients well as he returns to private practice.”

At Morgan Lewis Mr. Miscimarra will advise employers on a wide range of labor and employment issues, focusing on traditional labor matters and employment litigation, as well as help major business groups address important employment policy issues. Mr. Miscimarra also will lead the firm’s NLRB special appeals practice, which assists clients with appeals to the board and its general counsel.

Mr. Miscimarra rejoins one of the most highly recognized global labor law practices, one that has a distinguished history of service on the NLRB. In January another Morgan Lewis partner, John Ring, was nominated to the board. Former NLRB member Harry I. Johnson joined Morgan Lewis in 2015. In addition, current Morgan Lewis senior counsel Charles Cohen served on the board from 1994 to 1996. Former Morgan Lewis partner Peter Hurtgen twice sat on the NLRB, as a member from 1997 to 1999 and as chairman from 2000 to 2002.

During Mr. Miscimarra’s tenure at the NLRB, the board issued numerous significant decisions on such issues as the “joint employer” doctrine, work rules, union organizing, and the employment status of university graduate students. It is widely expected that Mr. Miscimarra’s decisions in these cases during his time at the board will impact significantly labor/management relations in the United States.    

Prior to his service on the board, Mr. Miscimarra was a senior fellow at the Center for Human Resources at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Business School, a position he will now resume. He also is the author and co-author of several influential books on labor law issues.

“Phil, in addition to being a truly great lawyer, is one of the most important legal thinkers and theoreticians regarding labor and employment issues in the United States,” said Grace Speights, who heads the Morgan Lewis labor and employment practice. “Clients will find in him a passionate advocate for their interests who also is extremely conversant with the complexities of labor law and regulation.”

Morgan Lewis’s highly ranked labor practice helps employers around the world navigate the constantly changing landscape of global, US, state, and local laws and regulations that govern the workplace. It is consistently ranked among the best of its kind. Recent accolades include being named a “Powerhouse Firm” for Complex Employment Litigation by BTI Litigation Outlook in 2018; Band 1, Labor & Employment, Chambers USA in 2017; and Law Firm of the Year, Labor & Employment by Chambers USA in 2016.