Howard Z. Robbins

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Partner

New York +1.212.969.3912

Howard Z. Robbins is a partner in the Labor & Employment Law Department, co-head of the Strategic Corporate Planning Group and a member of the Firm’s Sports Law Group.

In the traditional labor law arena, Howard represents clients in a broad range of industries, including sports and entertainment, retail and fashion, pharmaceutical companies, educational and not-for-profit institutions (such as the Metropolitan Opera, Museum of Modern Art and many other major museums and cultural institutions from coast to coast). Howard is labor counsel to numerous professional sports leagues, including the National Basketball Association, National Football League and others. He regularly negotiates collective bargaining agreements and has represented employers in various industries in representation hearings and unfair labor practice trials before the National Labor Relations Board, and in scores of arbitrations on a range of issues. Howard also provides daily advice and counsel to clients in complying with applicable labor and employment laws. The New Yorker magazine noted Howard’s reputation in labor relations, stating that “Robbins’s name is synonymous with tough management.”

As co-head of the Strategic Corporate Planning Group, Howard is often called upon to provide labor and employment advice in corporate transactions. He works with clients and investment bankers and negotiates with union representatives to facilitate these deals.

Howard's practice also includes a significant employment law component. In his practice, Howard represents clients in state and federal district and appellate courts and administrative agencies with respect to discrimination and employment disputes. Aside from litigation, Howard has an active counseling practice, providing practical advice to clients on issues like hiring, terminations, restructuring, wage-and-hour laws, WARN compliance, leave issues and other EEO compliance matters.

Most recently recognized by Acritas as a Stand-out Star, Howard is described as "a wonderful negotiator, (and is) in total command of employment law, and combines that with a real practical sense of how things are working."

As a member of the International Labor & Employment Group, Howard often assists clients with cross-border labor and employment issues and coordinates with local counsel around the world.

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