John Welsh focuses his practice on representing management in all aspects of labor and employment law. As an experienced litigator and former appellate and trial attorney for the National Labor Relations Board in Washington, D.C., and Boston, John has handled significant matters for clients across various industry sectors. His work includes cases involving unlawful discrimination, sexual harassment, breach of contract, whistleblowing, ERISA, wage and hour disputes, employee privacy, defamation, non-competition, and trade secrets.
John has served as lead trial counsel in employment cases nationwide and is also an accomplished appellate advocate, having successfully argued appeals before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and multiple U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals.
Representative Experience
Any result the lawyer or law firm may have achieved on behalf of clients in other matters does not necessarily indicate similar results can be obtained for other clients.
- Obtained a defense verdict following a four-week federal jury trial concerning claims of sexual harassment and gender discrimination against a printing equipment manufacturer.
- Led more than 100 internal investigations of alleged workplace misconduct, including claims of sexual harassment, unlawful discrimination, bullying, resume fraud, dual employment, and compensation miscalculation.
- Negotiated initial and successor collective bargaining agreements with two unions representing production employees at a newly constructed railroad car assembly plant.
- Negotiated a plant closure agreement regarding the relocation of a union-represented manufacturing facility to a non-union manufacturing facility in another state.
- Defended a hospital and its Chief Executive Officer in state court against claims of sex discrimination by the Chief of Anesthesia against the CEO and the Chief of Surgery.
- Obtained a defense verdict in an eight-day federal jury trial involving claims of disability discrimination against a major restaurant franchise and its general manager.
- Successfully represented a corporate executive in a federal court litigation concerning wage and commission payments which, following initial motion practice, resulted in a $2.4 million settlement for our client.Successfully represented IT services company in class action lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Professional & Civic Engagement
- Transitions Centers (Board Member)
- College of Labor and Employment Lawyers (Fellow)
- Litigation Counsel of America (Fellow)
- American Bar Association
- Massachusetts Bar Association
- American Bar Foundation (Fellow)
- Law360 Editorial Advisory Board (2022)
Honors & Awards
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (2005-present)
- Benchmark Litigation, Labor and Employment Star, Massachusetts (2022)
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year (2021); Employment law -Management, Labor Law - Management (2006-present)
- Martindale Hubble, AV® Preeminent Rated
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers® (2003-present); Top 100 Lawyers in New England (2007-2020, end of eligibility); Top 100 Lawyers in Massachusetts (2006-2020); Top 10 Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2017)
