Swartz, John C.

Howard Susskind has dedicated his career to representing workers, their unions and employee benefit plans.  He and Bob Sugarman created Sugarman & Susskind in 1985 to provide quality legal services for the benefit of working people, a commitment that continues to this day. 

Howard attended the University of Miami School of Law and graduated in 1974, the same year that the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) became law.  Howard wanted to represent labor unions and working people; he also recognized that ERISA was about to change how pension and health benefits would be provided to such workers. By combining these interests Howard developed a practice focused on protecting employee wages, safe working conditions, and pension and health benefits. 

Howard has advised the trustees of multiemployer benefit plans subject to ERISA requirements from the day that ERISA began to govern such plans.  Howard has experience in all facets of labor law, from organizing campaigns to collective bargaining agreements to arbitrations to unfair labor practice hearings.  He's brought actions under the National Labor Relations Act and appeared before the National Labor Relations Board.  He's also brought actions seeking unpaid wages and overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act. 

Howard is a frequent guest speaker on ERISA, employee benefits law and labor law topics for organizations such as the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.  He is a longtime member of the AFL-CIO Lawyers Coordinating Committee, is currently serving on the Regional LCC Committee for the NLRB Reform Project, and previously served on the LCC Advisory Board.   

Howard was honored by his peers in 2004 when he was elected as a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Attorneys.  He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for many years; was recognized as a Top Lawyer by South Florida Legal Guide in 2006 and 2007; and was listed in Florida Super Lawyers in 2007.