Lanier, Suzanne D.

Jim Urban has broad experiences in labor, employment, and employee benefits law. In the area of employment discrimination, he has defended employers in state and federal courts as well as before administrative agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, against claims of gender, race, national origin, and disability discrimination. Jim also has counseled employers on employment discrimination issues that typically arise in the workplace.

In the area of traditional labor law, Jim has defended employers against, and prosecuted on behalf of employers, unfair labor practice charges filed before the National Labor Relations Board. He has represented employers in labor arbitration proceedings involving issues of collective bargaining agreement interpretation. He has pursued injunctive relief in federal and state courts on behalf of employers during labor strikes or work slowdowns. He also has extensive experience counseling employers on bargaining obligations, bargaining unit scope issues, and strike-related issues.

In the area of employee benefits, Jim has defended employers in federal court against Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) claims, including claims of unlawful benefit cutbacks. Jim also has counseled employers on ERISA issues related to force reductions and mergers and acquisitions.

Jim has experience drafting and negotiating contracts, including executive employment agreements, noncompete agreements, and severance agreements.

Prior to attending law school, Jim worked as a journalist for 10 years, including stints as a reporter and editor for The Associated Press and as editor-in-chief of Executive Report magazine. He's also freelanced for The New York Times, United Press International, and Reuters News Service, among other news organizations. In 1998, he coauthored The Power of Pittsburgh, a book published by the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce that chronicled the transition of the Pittsburgh regional economy from heavy manufacturing to high-technology.