Joseph R. Blalock

Joseph R. Blalock

Partner

Columbus

T 614.223.9359

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Overview

Joe’s practice focuses almost exclusively on employer and management side labor and employment matters. His experience in this area of the law is wide-ranging and includes litigation in the wage and hour, wrongful termination, restrictive covenant and work-place injury contexts. To date, Joe has appeared on behalf of clients in federal and state courts or administrative agencies in more than 20 states.

In addition to his courtroom advocacy, Joe dedicates much of his time to helping the firm’s clients avoid costly litigation through management-side collective bargaining and by providing “day-to-day” advice and counsel to business owners and their human resources departments. In this role, Joe seeks to aid his clients in minimizing and managing the inherent legal risks associated with employing workers in the 21st century while not losing sight of his clients’ most important overall business objectives.  

Finally, Joe works regularly with the firm’s private equity clients on buyer-side asset and stock purchase agreements both as a labor and employment diligence review specialist and in the post-transaction onboarding process.

What I Do

Cannabis
Collective Bargaining
Energy
Labor & Employment
Retail & E-Commerce
Transportation & Logistics

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Experience

Represented major integrated retail electricity and power generation company before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and prevailed on Plaintiff’s appeal of district court’s dismissal of his Labor Management Relations Act claim.

Key Contacts: Joseph R. Blalock

Represented the Austin American-Statesman as lead negotiator in bargaining with the Austin NewsGuild to reach agreement on a first labor contract between the Statesman and its front-line journalists following 3.5 years of bargaining culminating in a 21 hour marathon bargaining session before a federal mediator in Austin, Texas.   Statesman journalists unanimously ratified the contract November 21, 2024.

Key Contacts: Joseph R. BlalockSteven M. MossHannah J. Kraus

Obtained dismissal of Plaintiff’s claim filed against client, a nationwide home solutions company, alleging breach of contract, including $750,000 in purported unpaid severance.

Key Contacts: Joseph R. Blalock

Represented Loar Holdings Inc., a diversified manufacturer and supplier of niche aerospace and defense components, in its acquisition of Applied Avionics, Inc., a manufacturer of highly engineered avionics interface solutions catering to the aviation industry, valued at $385 million.

Key Contacts: Melissa R. GrimSamuel StuckerAnthony G. Rossi IVKevin D. MargolisConnie A. PorterLeah BeitnerJoseph R. BlalockLisa M. KimmelMargarita S. KrncevicShannon LigettiRichard F. TracannaJonathan R. ToddDuncan H. PoirierJoel R. PentzRachit ParikhAslam A. RawoofJulius A. ZavalaAnthony A. GhazoulVanessa I. GomezMark LarsenDaniel S. Marks

Obtained summary judgment on behalf of employer in claim filed by former employee alleging breach of the parties’ severance agreement.

Key Contacts: Joseph R. Blalock

Represented a fertility practice and its associated ambulatory surgical center in their sale to a fertility clinic. 

Key Contacts: Jamie FeykoJoseph R. BlalockFrank CarsonieMichele (Mike) SoriceSean Crowley Cameron M. Hilling

Obtained grievance denial in bellwether arbitration over Employer’s company-wide handling of Union sick leave benefits during and after COVID-19 pandemic.  The arbitrator determined that Company’s unilateral changes to sick leave policy at the outset of the pandemic were within management’s rights, and that unilateral decision to end those changes after vaccine became generally available to the public was proper.

Key Contacts: Joseph R. Blalock

Provide ongoing support to small and large companies in managing the workforce, hiring and discharge decisions, and workplace policy development and implementation

Key Contacts: Joseph R. Blalock

Provided labor and employment specialist support in conducting due diligence on target entities relative to asset, stock, and equity purchase for both private equity and strategic acquisition clients.

Key Contacts: Joseph R. Blalock

Successfully negotiated collective bargaining agreements on behalf of energy industry client and its organized labor.

Key Contacts: Joseph R. Blalock

Obtained settlement on behalf of home improvement industry client in personal injury claim filed by independent contractor.

Key Contacts: Joseph R. Blalock

Resolved favorably workers’ compensation lien asserted by self-insured energy industry client relative to employee severely injured by business invitee.

Key Contacts: Joseph R. Blalock

Resolved favorably multiple workplace dismemberment cases for energy industry client.

Key Contacts: Joseph R. Blalock

Resolved favorably multiple workplace death cases for energy industry client.

Key Contacts: Joseph R. Blalock

Resolved favorably California Class and Private Attorneys General Act (“PAGA”) Action involving more than 200 class members.

Key Contacts: Joseph R. Blalock

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Credentials

Education

West Virginia University College of Law, J.D.
West Virginia University, B.A.
  • German & Philosophy
  • magna cum laude

Clerkships and Bar Admissions

Ohio
West Virginia
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

More

  • Member, Builders Exchange
  • Member, Ohio County Bar Association
  • Member, West Virginia Bar Association
  • Member, Belmont County Bar Association
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, City of Wheeling Human Rights Commission, Former Commissioner
  • Board Member, Columbus Speech & Hearing
  • Board Member, BreakthroughT1D
  • Listed, The Best Lawyers in America® Ones to Watch, Labor and Employment Law – Management, 2023-2025

Columbus Recreation Soccer League

6-7 year old Division Head Coach

Dennison Golf Club, Men’s Association

Member

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio

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