George Howard Jr.

Premier labor and employment advice and litigation counsel

George Howard Jr. has advised employers for more than 40 years, representing them in virtually every type of employment or labor dispute, including multi-week bench and jury trials and other proceedings before judges, administrative law judges and arbitrators. The first San Diegan admitted as a fellow of the prestigious College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and recognized by Chambers USA as one of the premier labor and employment lawyers in California, he focuses on:

• Employment litigation
• Union/management relations and collective bargaining
• Employment law counseling
• Appellate practice

George’s long and varied experience, and his extensive contacts in the legal community, are a valuable source of advice and counsel to clients in an array of industries.

In 1999-2000, George was instrumental in negotiating the first collective bargaining agreement in California between a labor organization and a federally recognized Indian tribe.

• Advising on a full range of employment and labor matters, including employment discrimination, wage and hour compliance, harassment, trade secrets and employee mobility, retaliation, whistleblower, ERISA, employment contract issues and union/management relations.
• Representing employers in labor relations matters, including union organizing, collective bargaining and related NLRB proceedings, and labor disputes.
• Representing clients in litigation, trials and appeals in all types of employment disputes, including allegations of discrimination, harassment and retaliation; whistleblower claims; wage and hour class actions; and employee mobility disputes. George’s appellate work often involves serving as amicus counsel.

• Represented a publicly held consumer products company in the successful defense of a whistleblower claim, resulting in a 12-0 defense jury verdict. The plaintiff also was assessed punitive damages by the jury for improper, post-termination retention and misuse of the employer’s data.
• Defended multiple employers against California Labor Code/Private Attorneys General Act class and representative actions.
• Obtained summary judgment for a garment industry employer against claims by a staffing agency of improper diversion of staffing agency employees.
• Successfully assisted a Native American tribe in its renewal negotiations with a labor union representing employees at a tribe-owned casino. George continues to serve as outside labor counsel to the tribe.
• Co-authored an amicus brief to the California Supreme Court in an important case under the California Labor Code Private Attorneys General Act, Turrieta v Lyft.