Jerald J. Oppel
Bar Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- New York
Court Admissions
- Court of Appeals of Maryland
- Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia
- Supreme Court of New York
- United States Claims Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- United States Supreme Court
Education
- University of Maryland School of Law (J.D., 1970)
- McDaniel College (A.B., 1963)
- George Washington University School of Government and Business (A.M., 1965)
Jerald J. Oppel
Experience
Jerald J. Oppel, the chair of the Employment Group at Ober|Kaler, is noted for a career of vigorously defending corporations and nonprofits in litigation and claims brought by employees, unions and federal, state and local administrative agencies. He represents manufacturers, construction contractors, private schools, hospitals, nursing homes, ship owners and operators, and various other entities in court as well as through alternative dispute resolution.
Jerry’s practice encompasses commercial disputes, arbitration, mediation and civil litigation, as well as the defense and prosecution of business-related torts. He represents clients in a wide range of employment and labor matters including, for example, those related to unfair labor practices, discrimination, wrongful discharge, employment contracts, defamation, privacy matters, non-compete covenants, misappropriation of trade secrets, negligent hiring/retention, and the negotiation and enforcement of collective bargaining agreements.
In addition to practicing before federal and state courts, Jerry also represents clients in matters before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and their state and local counter parts. He is also a court-approved mediator.
Jerry counsels clients on actions designed to mitigate or prevent labor-related litigation. His advice is used to develop personnel procedures, employee handbooks and grievance mechanisms. He also helps clients with regard to union avoidance and decertification.
The author of numerous articles, Jerry is a frequent lecturer and conducts management seminars to help companies navigate the many complex labor and employment issues they must address when doing business today.
Professional Memberships
- American Bar Association
- Section on Litigation; Committee on Labor/Employment; Torts and Insurance Protection Section; Business Torts Committee
- Baltimore City Bar Association
- Judicial Selection Committee
- Changing Directions, Inc.
- Past Chair
- Past Director
- Court Appointed Mediator, Circuit Courts for Baltimore City and County
- Defense Research Institute
- Employment, Business, Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Committees
- Federal Bar Association
- Governor’s Drug Free Workplace Taskforce
- Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Maryland
- Director, 2006-present
- President, 2003-2004
- Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission Peer Review Panel
- Maryland Chamber of Commerce
- Past Director, currently on Employment Law Committee
- Maryland State Bar Association
- Section on Labor and Employment Law
- Section on Litigation
- Society for Human Resource Management
Honoraries
- Fellow, Maryland Bar Foundation
- AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Professional Background
- Captain, United States Army
- Author, “U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit Vacates and Remands District Court's Order Certifying Class Seeking Unpaid Wages,” Section of Labor & Employment Law Newsletter, Maryland State Bar Association, 2013
- Presenter, "Independent Contractors vs. Employees," Baltimore Chapter, Associated Builders and Contractors, 2012
- Author, “NLRB Posting Deadline Extended to April 30, 2012,” Employers Need to Know, 2012
- Author, “Independent Contractor or Employee? State and Federal Agencies are Asking – Is Your Answer Correct?” Employers Need to Know, 2011
- Author, “New Required Poster Informs Employees of Union Rights and Forbidden Employer Practices and Gives Employers Right to Post Information on Pitfalls of Unionization,” Employers Need to Know, 2011
- Author, “Additional Pro-Union Legislation: Re-Empowerment of Skilled and Professional Employees and Construction Tradeworkers (RESPECT) Act,” Employment Line, 2009
- Author, “Employee Free Choice Act: Easing the Way for Union Organizing,” Employment Line, 2009
- Author, “COBRA Subsidization Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Take Effect March 1, 2009,” Employers Need to Know, 2009
- Author, “WellPoint Sued for Alleged FLSA Violations,” Health Law Alert, 2008
- Editor, “Summary of Recent NLRB Decisions,” Section of Labor & Employment Law Newsletter, Maryland State Bar Association, 2008
- Presenter, “Workplace Violence: Is Your Organization Prepared?” Downtown Partnership of Baltimore Safety Coalition, 2011
- Presenter, "Employment Litigation Avoidance in the Health Care Arena," The Beacon Institute, 2010, 2011
- Presenter, "Health Care Facilities and Unions," Health Facilities Association of Maryland and Lifespan Network, 2009
- Presenter, "Union Organizing and the Use of the Company’s Computer System," Association of Corporate Counsel Baltimore Chapter, 2008
