Russell J. McEwan

rmcewan@littler.com
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Russell J. McEwan combines real world business experience, legal acumen and pragmatism to effectively manage labor and employment law issues faced by clients in a wide variety of industries, including the construction, manufacturing, retail, service, and transportation industries. His practice entails representation of clients in federal and state court litigation, before labor arbitrators, at the bargaining table, and before regulatory agencies such as the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the U. S. Department of Labor, and numerous state departments of labor.

Russ proactively counsels employers on strategies to promote workplace harmony, strengthen the employment relationship, and minimize the risk of litigation. He assists clients in developing training tools, crafting effective employment agreements and policies, and training supervisory employees on a wide variety of workplace issues.

Russ has extensive experience helping clients during times of labor strife. He has advised clients on issues related to union organizing drives and representation petitions involving virtually all of the major U. S. labor unions. He has guided employers through:

  • Reductions-in-force and shutdowns
  • Large-scale business contingency planning related to threatened labor disputes
  • Temporary restraining order actions related to strikes and mass picketing

During the course of his legal career, Russ has developed a depth of knowledge in representing construction industry employers in matters involving:

  • Negotiation and administration of pre-hire collective bargaining agreements and project labor agreements
  • Prevailing wage compliance
  • Union benefit fund audits
  • Arbitration and litigation
  • Corporate campaign preparedness
  • A multitude of issues related to government contracting

Before embarking on his legal career, Russ was a business banker for a leading New York City commercial bank and worked in the general counsel’s office of a major accounting firm.

Credentials & Recognition

Speaking Engagements

A Practical Primer on Inclusion, Equity & Diversity Programs

  • May 4, 2022
  • Littler Executive Employer Conference

Weathering the Great Resignation: Strategies for Employee Engagement and Retention

  • March 25, 2022
  • Monmouth Bar Association CLE

Project Labor Agreement Webinar

  • June 23, 2021
  • The Associated Builders and Contractors New Jersey Chapter and the African American Chamber of Commerce

Labor Law Changes Under the Biden Administration

  • February 26, 2021
  • Monmouth Bar Association CLE

Navigating New Jersey’s Aggressive New Wage Theft Law

  • October 14, 2019
  • CLE Presentation

Lawful Hiring and Firing

  • May 30, 2019
  • ABC Professional Services Committee Webinar

Traditional Labor Law Symposium: What Union and Nonunion Employers Need to Know About Today’s Unions and Employer Obligations Under the NLRA

  • May 10, 2019
  • 2019 Executive Employer Conference

Double Breasting in the Construction Industry

  • April 10, 2018
  • NJ State Bar Association CLE

Detecting and Mitigating Common Construction Industry Fraud and Legal Risks

  • December 7, 2017
  • NJ Society of CPAs, Neptune, NJ

How to Lawfully Detect and Respond to Union Organizing in the Workplace

  • November 30, 2017
  • ABC Excellence in Construction Symposium, Atlantic City, NJ

Employer Election Alert! Trump Presidency and Its Impact on Employment Laws and Regulations

  • December 7, 2016
  • Center for Competitive Management webinar

The 2016 Election: A Labor & Employment Update

  • October 26, 2016
  • Monmouth County Bar Association

Educational Roundtable on Union/Non-Union Construction Activity in the NYC Marketplace

  • April 26, 2016
  • NYC CFMA

NYC Construction Outlook 2015-2017

  • February 3, 2016
  • NYC Surety Association

Let us know how we can help you navigate your particular workplace legal issues.