Overview
Rick provides a full range of services related to the traditional labor and employment law practice. He has negotiated initial collective bargaining agreements and renewal agreements with various unions including the Teamsters, UAW, UFCW, USW, IBEW, URW, PACE, IAM, ACTWU, ILGW, UNITEHERE, and RWDSU. He provides advice in grievance proceedings and represents management in arbitration cases. His services related to the avoidance of unionization range from advice concerning all aspects of employee relations and the formulation of policies and practices to legal advice during and after union organizational efforts, union decertification drives and union deauthorization proceedings. Rick's involvement with union organizing includes clients located throughout the country in manufacturing, automotive, transportation, healthcare, food processing, financial services, warehousing, and numerous other sectors of the economy. As part of his representation of both private and public sector employers, he has represented management in administrative proceedings involving the NLRB, EEOC, OSHA, MSHA, DOL, as well as numerous state and local agencies. He is also a registered mediator and arbitrator who has acted as a neutral in the resolution of disputes concerning labor and employment matters.
Honors & Recognitions
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, and Litigation - Labor & Employment (2013-2025)
- Chambers USA Guide® (2010-2013, 2015-2024)
- Mid-South Super Lawyers® (2009, 2014-2021)
- Top 100 Labor Attorneys in the United States, Labor Relations Institute, Inc.
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Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence
Professional & Civic Associations
Press Room
About Me
- "We prepare our clients to be judged by others."
- Rick Brown, Labor Lawyer
Practices
Practice Emphasis
- Union Avoidance Counseling and Campaigns
- Defense of NLRB and EEOC Charges
- Employment Policy Formulation and Advice
- Wage and Hour, FMLA and ADA
- Union Contract Negotiations
- Defense of Grievances in Arbitrations
- Management Training
- Mediation Services
- Arbitration Services
Education
University of Alabama
- J.D., 1978
- MBA, 1978
- Omicron Delta Epsilon (National Economics Honorary)
Auburn University
- B.S., Business Administration / Industrial Relations, with honors, 1973
Bar & Court Admissions
- Alabama, 1978
- Georgia, 1979
- Supreme Court of Alabama
- Supreme Court of Georgia
- Court of Civil Appeals of Alabama
- Court of Criminal Appeals of Alabama
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
- Registered Mediator
- Registered Arbitrator