Michael Parente

Associate

Columbus
T +1.614.462.2627
F +1.614.462.2616

Overview

Michael Parente’s broad experience in traditional labor and employment law gives him unique insight into the wide spectrum of issues that clients face in managing their workforces. He advises and represents employers on labor relations, employment litigation and employment compliance issues, developing strategic and preventive measures that avoid disputes and reduce risk while being mindful of the client’s business needs and corporate culture. When issues do arise, Michael is experienced in representing employers in labor relations disputes at arbitration and before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), as well as employment litigation matters before state and federal courts and administrative bodies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Michael represents employers across the country in all aspects of labor relations. He has first and second chair experience litigating union representation matters and unfair labor practice charges before the NLRB and union arbitrations. Michael assists clients in union organizing matters, developing effective labor relations strategies, training managers on labor law compliance and collective bargaining. He also counsels companies on potential labor and employment issues that may arise as part of a merger or acquisition.

Select Experience

  • Counsels employers on labor relations topics, including collective bargaining, contract and grievance administration, strike preparation and proceedings before the NLRB.
  • Represented a tier one automotive supplier in an unfair labor practice trial before the NLRB.
  • Successfully represented management in union organizational campaigns and petitions for election in various industries, including hotels, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, food service and HVAC.
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Experience

  • Counsels employers on labor relations topics, including collective bargaining, contract and grievance administration, strike preparation and proceedings before the NLRB.
  • Represented a tier one automotive supplier in an unfair labor practice trial before the NLRB.
  • Successfully represented management in union organizational campaigns and petitions for election in various industries, including hotels, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, food service and HVAC.
  • Achieved the dismissal of a union organizing petition on behalf of a hotel through challenges to the union’s proposed bargaining unit.
  • Assisted in successful petition of a U.S. Court of Appeals to deny enforcement of an NLRB order and remand the case to the NLRB.
  • Achieved summary judgment on behalf of a life insurance company in an arbitration alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
  • Assisted in the defense of a nationwide distribution company against unfair labor practice charges before the NLRB, including defending against related preliminary injunction proceedings filed in federal court.
  • Assists clients in devising and implementing effective labor relations strategies and trains management employees in effectively defending against union organizing efforts.
  • Regularly provides guidance to public and private employers concerning day-to-day labor contract administration.
  • Assisted in the defense of multiple employers against FLSA collective actions alleging unpaid overtime, donning and doffing claims, misclassification of exempt status, rounding violations and other claims.
  • Successfully defended clients in federal employment litigation involving claims under the ADA, ADEA, FMLA, Title VII and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
  • Successfully assisted in the defense of numerous labor arbitrations for both public and private employers.
  • Assisted major rail carriers in the successful defense of numerous employee whistleblower complaints filed under the Federal Railroad Safety Act (FRSA).

Recognitions and Memberships

Recognitions

  • The Best Lawyers in America® (2021 to 2023)
    • “Ones to Watch” Ohio: Litigation - Labor and Employment

Memberships

  • Ohio State Bar Association
  • Columbus Bar Association

News

News

Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
  • Ohio,

Education

  • J.D., University of Toledo College of Law, 2010
  • B.S., University of Toledo, 2007

Blog

In The Blogs

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The Bargaining Table
Third Circuit Tells the NLRB to Lighten Up and Take a Joke
By Todd A. Dawson, Michael Parente
May 24, 2022
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has found that Ben Domenech, executive officer and publisher of the right-leaning media company The Federalist, did not threaten employees when he tweeted that he would send them “back to the...
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