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Sean McKinley

Associate
Cleveland
T.
216.363.4593
liamE

Sean’s diverse experience in assisting in day-to-day workforce management, employment law counseling, workplace investigations, and employment litigation has allowed him to become an asset to the clients he serves. He has defended employers of all sizes in differing industries, in administrative proceedings, as well as in state and federal courts against claims brought under Title VII, the ADA, ADEA, FMLA, and similar state laws.

In addition to employment litigation expertise, Sean has assisted employers in traditional labor matters. Sean has experience administering and interpreting collective bargaining agreements; defending unfair labor practice charges brought by unions; assisting employers in union campaign management; preparing for and participating in grievance arbitration proceedings; and participating in collective bargaining negotiations.

Sean’s cross-sectional representation has allowed him to foster unique relationships with institutions of higher education to address both their labor and Title IX needs. His experiences have uniquely positioned him to recognize issues as they arise and assist institutions with navigating a myriad of issues.

Beyond his employment litigation, traditional labor, and Title IX experience, Sean has experience in complex commercial litigation, ranging from shareholder disputes to contract litigation.

Over the last few years, Sean has developed a strong understanding of the needs of employers and has implemented a proactive approach to working with clients. He has found that enthusiasm and careful planning have been most effective in finding desirable outcomes.

Representative Experience

  • Advised client on orchestrating a campaign to defeat a union election. We trained supervisors and managers on how to interact with employees in light of NLRB restrictions and created extensive campaign materials to share with the employees. We also coordinated on-site conversations to persuade employees to oppose the union. Ultimately, the union withdrew the petition before an election was even held.
  • Labor & Employment
  • Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, 2021, J.D.
  • Ohio University, 2018, B.A.
    • cum laude
  • Ohio
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
  • Listed, Ohio Super Lawyers - Rising Stars, 2025
  • Recipient, The National Black Lawyers Association Top 40 Under 40 in Ohio, 2023
  • CALI, Sentencing Law and Policy, Judge Algenon Marbley, 2020
  • Recipient, Enrichment Scholar at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, 2018-2021
  • Ohio State Bar Association
  • Akron Bar Association
Articles and Presentations
January 31, 2025
President Donald Trump Issues Slew of Executive Orders During First Week in Office
January 23, 2025
Ninth Circuit Diverges from Third Circuit on Scope of National Labor Relations Board’s Remedial Power, Ripening Issue for Supreme Court Review
December 30, 2024
Third Circuit Court of Appeals Issues Opinion in Starbucks, Limiting National Labor Relations Board’s Remedial Power

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News
December 17, 2024
49 Benesch Attorneys Selected to 2025 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
September 16, 2024
Sean McKinley mentioned in Crain's Cleveland People on the Move
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