Jeffrey Kohn

Of Counsel

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Jeff Kohn represents clients in a broad range of employment and labor law disputes and serves as a strategic advisor on workplace matters. Jeff’s clients span a variety of industries, including sports, entertainment and media, financial services, airlines, pharmaceuticals, professional services, and transportation, among others.

Jeff serves as a strategic legal advisor on labor-management relations, including collective bargaining, labor arbitrations, and NLRB and NMB matters for a variety of clients. Jeff has an active employment litigation practice, including employment discrimination, employment contract, wage and hour, executive compensation, and trade secret litigation. He also has substantial experience as a strategic advisor for clients, including businesses who need to restructure their operations or reorganize in bankruptcy. Jeff also manages sensitive internal investigations for clients across a variety of industries.

Honors & Awards

  • Named a “Leading US Corporate Employment Lawyer” for Labor & Employment, esp. Litigation by Lawdragon (2021)
  • Named a Labor & Employment Star - Northeast (2019), Local Litigation Star (2019-2020, 2023) and Labor & Employment Star (2020-2023) for Labor & Employment by Benchmark Litigation
  • Recognized by The Legal 500 US for Labor & Employment (2011-2021)
  • Named a “Distinguished Leader” by the New York Law Journal (2018)
  • Selected by HRE Executive and Lawdragon to its “Most Powerful Employment Lawyers” list (2014-2019)
  • Recognized by George Washington University Law School as a Distinguished Alumni (2014)
  • Recognized as a “Leading Lawyer” for Labor & Employment by Chambers USA; recognized among Top 20 Employee Benefits Lawyers in Guide to the World’s Leading Labour and Employment Lawyers
  • Recognized by Hope’s Door for outstanding pro bono contributions to the organization
  • Named a “Super Lawyer” for Employment & Labor in a survey conducted by Law & Politics Media Inc. (2012 to present)

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • New York
  • New Jersey

Court Admissions

  • US District Court, District of New Jersey, Eastern, Northern, and Southern Districts of New York
  • US Court of Appeals, Second and Third Circuits
  • US Supreme Court

Education

  • George Washington University, J.D., 1984: with high honors; Order of the Coif; Managing Editor, The George Washington Law Review
  • Cornell University, B.S., Industrial and Labor Relations, 1981: with honors

Professional Activities

Community Legal Services

  • Counsel to many non-profit organizations in labor and employment matters and governance

Board of Directors

  • Bryn Mawr College
  • Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (Past)
  • New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (Past)
  • Westchester Jewish Council

Faculty Member

  • Adjunct Professor, George Washington University Law School (2017 to present)
  • Adjunct Professor, New York Law School (Past)

Speaker

  • NYU Annual Conference on Labor
  • NYU Center for Labor and Employment Law
  • American Bar Association
  • New York City Bar Association
  • Matthew Bender Conference
  • Wall Street Executive Conference
  • NYU Law School
  • George Washington University Law School 

Member

  • Industrial & Labor Relations Advisory Council, Cornell University
  • Dean’s Advisory Board, George Washington University Law School
  • Advisory Board, Center for Labor and Employment Law, New York University School of Law

Editor-in-Chief

  • ABA Employment and Labor Relations Law Committee, quarterly newsletter (Past)

Media Resource

  • CNBC-TV (commentator on employment discrimination law)
  • Bloomberg Television (commentator on disputes in airline industry)

Contributing Writer/Editor

  • Many publications, including Matthew Bender’s NLRA Law and Practice and the ABA’s Model Jury Instructions for Employment Litigation (as contributing editor)

Author

  • “Strategies for Reducing Labor Costs Independent Contractors, Temporary Staffing Agencies, Outsourcing: At What Point do you Become Joint Employer?,” NYU Annual Conference on Labor, 
    co-authored with Aparna Joshi and Rachel Schy (2014)
  • “Swine Flu Pandemic: Issues For Employers,” Employment Law360, co-authored with Scott Dunham and Elyse Meyers (May 4, 2009)
  • “Withdrawing from U.S. Operations: An Analysis of Practical Concerns and Options,” M&A Review, co-authored (May 2009)

Leadership

  • Former Managing Partner, New York Office of O’Melveny & Myers
  • Regional Head of Litigation, New York Office of O’Melveny & Myers
  • Served as lead counsel for a major financial institution in defending over 400 race discrimination claims brought to binding mediation/arbitration
  • Prevailed on behalf of American Airlines in an ERISA representative action challenging investment options in American’s 401(k) plan
  • Served as lead counsel representing a major sports team in several high-profile cases
  • Successfully represented Morgan Stanley in defeating an ERISA whistleblower action tried before a FINRA arbitration panel, resulting in a recovery to Morgan Stanley of a US$1.2 million award, including attorneys' fees
  • Defended American Airlines in a gender equity putative class action
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