Mr. Lebowitz is certified as a Specialist in Labor & Employment Law by the Ohio State Bar Association and was named a Leader in the Area of Labor and Employment by Chambers and Partners in the 2011 Chambers USA Guide: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. Also named a “Rising Star” in 2011 by Law & Politics and the publishers of Super Lawyers Rising Stars magazine, Mr. Lebowitz’s approach toward employment law is to help companies solve legal problems in a way that makes business sense.
Mr. Lebowitz has a national employment litigation practice in which he defends employers against claims of discrimination (including sex, race, age, national origin and disability), retaliation, sexual and racial harassment and breach of contract. Mr. Lebowitz is admitted to practice in federal district courts in six states and has been granted pro hac vice admission to practice in individual cases in numerous other states. He has litigated in federal and state courts at both the trial and appellate levels and has represented clients before various administrative bodies. He has defended his clients’ interests in alternative forms of dispute resolution, including arbitration and mediation.
Mr. Lebowitz also spends significant time counseling clients on how to avoid litigation and improve employee relations. He advises employers on all aspects of federal and state employment law, including hiring and termination practices, employee discipline, interviewing, employee handbooks, drug testing, anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies, background checks and employee safety. He provides advice on how to implement disciplinary action and terminations in a way that conveys fairness and preserves an employee’s sense of dignity and respect. He recognizes that the manner in which employers deliver bad news is often more influential in determining whether the employee will file suit than the bad news itself.
In light of increased federal and state efforts to curtail misclassification of non-employee workers, Mr. Lebowitz co-formed a multidisciplinary attorney task force to advise employers on employment, benefit and tax issues related to potential worker misclassification. He has developed procedures for several national clients to help minimize misclassification risks when working with independent contractors and suppliers of non-employee labor.
Mr. Lebowitz has guided employers through workforce reductions, unpaid furloughs, mass layoffs and plant closings. He has drafted and negotiated separation packages covering employees from entry level to management, and has addressed federal, state and cross-border U.S.-Canadian legal issues.
Mr. Lebowitz has advised and represented clients in a broad range of industries, including retail, manufacturing, healthcare, product distribution, electronics and industrial products, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, plastics, transportation, restaurant, sports, insurance, roofing, medical/hospital, research, sales, communications, newspaper, television, advertising, personal services, financial services, automobile rental and education.
Mr. Lebowitz has written articles and conducted seminars on a wide range of employment law topics, including background checks, termination policies, use of non-employee labor, workforce reductions, age discrimination, dress codes and employment issues arising out of the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. His award-winning article, “Evaluating Purely Reproductive Disorders Under the Americans with Disabilities Act,” was published in the Michigan Law Review.
Mr. Lebowitz has practiced in the area of sports law, drafting and negotiating player contracts for a major league baseball team and a professional soccer league. He has been a member of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) since 2000 and currently serves on SABR’s Board of Directors as Secretary.
Prior to entering the practice of law, Mr. Lebowitz completed a research thesis entitled, “The Effect of Financial Rewards on Intrinsic Motivation: A Study of Long-Term Contracts in Major League Baseball.” His study received national press coverage for its conclusion that players elevate their motivation and performance levels the year before they enter the free agent market.
Mr. Lebowitz is a member of the American, Ohio and Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Associations, and serves on the Human Resources Committee of the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
12/31/2011 - 2011 Super Lawyers Announced
9/12/2011 - Lebowitz Elected to Society for American Baseball Research Board of Directors
6/10/2011 - Chambers USA Recognizes 62 Baker Hostetler Lawyers: Named a Leading Firm in 14 Practice Areas