Eric E. Hobbs

Shareholder | Milwaukee

Eric E. Hobbs is a shareholder with and chair of the 50-lawyer Workplace Safety and Health Practice Group of Ogletree Deakins, one of the nation’s leading law firms representing employers in labor and employment matters. He also serves as a member of the firm’s Drug Testing and Manufacturing Industry Practice Groups. In his role as attorney and strategic advisor, Eric engages in a nationwide labor and employment law practice, which includes the representation of employers in traditional labor and employment matters, OSHA and MSHA enforcement and litigation, and employment counseling and litigation.

Eric is a Past Employer Co-Chair of the American Bar Association’s Occupational Safety and Health Law Committee. He is a co-author of and chapter editor for Bloomberg/BNA’s Occupational Safety and Health Law treatise, the “bible” for practitioners and judges in the area, and author of the chapter on occupational safety and health law in the Wisconsin State Bar’s Wisconsin Employment Law treatise. Eric also writes and speaks frequently to employer groups, attorneys and judges around the country. In the Fall of 2018, for a fourth time, he addressed the Commissioners and Judges of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission at its Judicial Conference at the invitation of the Commission’s Chair and Chief Judge. He also testified before Congress on “A More Effective and Collaborative OSHA: A View from Stakeholders” in February of 2018.

In 2014, in recognition of his long and distinguished career, Eric was elected as a fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. That same year, the Pulp and Paper Safety Association presented him with its Outstanding Service Award. Eric also is a Fellow of the Wisconsin Bar Foundation. And, in 2015, the Milwaukee County Commission for Persons with Disabilities established the “Eric Hobbs Award” in recognition of Eric’s 20 years of service as a commissioner, 10 as chairperson. Peers and business leaders also have recognized him as one of The Best Lawyers in America and as one of Chambers’ Leading Lawyers for Business in the areas of labor, employment and workers’ compensation law.

In his leisure time, Eric enjoys training and competing in Tae Kwon Do, in which he holds a second-degree black belt, and singing in his community and church.

More About Eric E. Hobbs

Education & Admission

Professional Activities

Speeches

Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “Safety Perspectives From the Dallas Region: How First Aid May Become a Recordable Injury Under OSHA’s New Interpretation” – June 18, 2024
Workplace Safety Symposium – “The Tip of the Iceberg: How to Prevent Workplace Safety Issues From Exposing Employers to Liability Under Other Laws” – Austin – December 7, 2023
Workplace Safety Symposium – “OSHA 101: A Primer for Employers” – Austin – December 6, 2023
Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “The Intersection of Employment and Workplace Safety Law Issues” – Phoenix – November 10, 2023
Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Investigating Workplace Injuries: Navigating the Maze of Federal and State Laws” – San Diego – May 12, 2023
Workplace Strategies Seminar – “OSHA’s Laser Focus on Heat Illness: What Does It Mean for Employers and How Can Your Company Avoid Citations?” – Phoenix – May 5, 2022
Workplace Strategies Seminar – ““Headline News”—Key Developments Impacting Employers” – Phoenix – May 5, 2022
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “Dirty Steel Toe Boots, Episode 7: The Supreme Court’s Decision on OSHA’s ETS” – January 17, 2022
Workplace Safety Symposium – “OSHA 101: A Primer” – Phoenix – December 2, 2021
Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “OSHA’s New COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard, and the Federal Contractor and CMS Vaccine Mandates: What In-House Counsel Need to Know” – Amelia Island – November 11, 2021
Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “Trends and Forecasts: What Employers Need to Know Now” – Amelia Island – November 11, 2021
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “Dirty Steel-Toe Boots, Episode 5: A First Look at OSHA’s New ETS With Phillip Russell and Eric Hobbs” – November 6, 2021
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “Dirty Steel-Toe Boots, Episode #2: Who Is OSHA?” – August 9, 2021
Workplace Strategies Seminar – “After a Year Away From the Office, How Do We Get Employees Back to Work Safely?” – Austin – June 24, 2021
Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Deeper Dive: Immigration, Labor, Benefits, and Safety” – Austin – June 24, 2021
Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “The 411 on the Post-Election Agency Impact: Top Insights for 2021 and Beyond” – November 11, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “OSHA Hour: Anticipating a COVID-19 Vaccine—What Workplace Safety and Other Legal Issues Will It Raise?” – September 3, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “OSHA Hour: Virginia’s COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard” – July 30, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “OSHA Hour: Face Coverings, Employee Screenings, and Recordkeeping—Assessing OSHA’s Latest COVID-19 Guidance” – July 23, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “OSHA Hour: Keeping Manufacturing Workers Safe During the COVID-19 Crisis” – July 16, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “OSHA Hour: Identifying and Dealing with COVID-19 in the Construction Industry – What are the Issues and How Can Employers Tackle Them?” – July 9, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “OSHA Hour: Mitigation of Risk of Unsafe Workplace Claims Related to COVID-19 ” – July 2, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “OSHA Hour: The Occupational Safety and Health Issues Raised by Returning Employees to Work in Nonessential Industries” – June 18, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – ” OSHA Hour: What OSHA Standards and Regulations Affect COVID-19 Inspections? ” – June 11, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “OSHA Hour: Screening Employee Temperatures – The Pros and Cons and Guidance From the Federal Agencies” – June 4, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “OSHA Hour: Respirators, Face Masks, and Face Coverings: What Are the Differences and What Are Employers Legal Obligations?” – May 21, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Virtual Conference – “Pandemic Workforce Challenges—Plan Don’t Panic” – May 14, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “OSHA Hour: The Latest COVID-19 Workplace Safety and Health Updates” – May 7, 2020
Workplace Safety Symposium – “Conducting Periodic Inspections under the Lockout/Tagout Standard” – New Orleans – December 4, 2019
Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “Salt in the Wound: Workplace Injuries, Investigations, and Intertwining Laws” – New Orleans – November 14, 2019
Ogletree Deakins Managing A Workforce In 2020 – “VPs Of HR Panel Discussion” – Kohler – October 30, 2019
Private Client Training – “Legal Update: A Pot Pourrie of Hot Issues” – Milwaukee – May 15, 2019
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Workers’ Compensation and the FMLA: Properly Investigating and Handling Occupational Injuries” – Las Vegas – May 3, 2019
Wisconsin Safety Council – “#MeToo/YouToo – You Can Run But You Can’t Hide” – Wisconsin Dells – April 16, 2019
FMA – “2019 OSHA Update” – Lexington – April 10, 2019
Ogletree Deakins Employment Law Briefing – “Straight Dope on Opioids and Marijuana” – Appleton – April 4, 2019
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Safety Symposium – “The Body of an OSHA Inspection: What Forms Might It Take, and What Difference Does That Make?” – Nashville – December 7, 2018
American Forest & Paper Association Employee Relations Conference – “ADA Administration: What Are the Company’s Obligations” – Atlanta – September 28, 2018
American Forest & Paper Association Employee Relations Conference – “How ADA Interacts with Other Leave Laws” – Atlanta – September 28, 2018
Ogletree Deakins Managing a Workforce in 2019 – “Ouch! The Top Challenges In Handling The Myriad Of Issues Resulting From Work-Related Injuries” – Kohler – September 20, 2018
U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission Judicial Conference – “Settlement Issues” – Washington, D.C. – September 13, 2018
5WMC Policy Day – “Substance Abuse in the Workplace, 2018 and Beyond” – Madison – August 6, 2018
Pulp and Paper Safety Association – Annual Safety Conference 2018 – “One Step Forward, One Step Back: Just How Different is the “New World” of OSH under Trump from the “Old” One under Obama?” – St. Petersburg – July 18, 2018
Private Client Training – “PPSA 2016 Inspections and WSC 2018 Closing Conference” – Moline – July 17, 2018
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “OUCH! Top Challenges in Handling the Myriad Issues Resulting From Work-Related Injuries” – Phoenix – May 10, 2018
Wisconsin Safety Council – Annual Safety Conference – “From the OSHA Closing Conference to the OSHA Informal Conference: How to Prepare for and Handle the Post-Inspection/Pre-Contest Citation Process” – Wisconsin Dells – April 18, 2018
Ogletree Deakins – Employment Law Update – “The Only Constant Is Change” – Brookfield – April 11, 2018
Ogletree Deakins – Employment Law Update – “The Only Constant Is Change” – Racine – April 10, 2018
Ogletree Deakins “Reel Ethics” Briefing – “Threatening Criminal Prosecution” – Waukesha – January 17, 2018
Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “Today’s OSHA: Keeping Up and Catching Up With Workplace Health and Safety Developments” – Boca Raton – November 10, 2017
Wisconsin Agri-Business Association’s 2017 Safety Day – “How Does OSHA’s Being on Hyperdrive Impact Potential Inspections?” – Wisconsin Dells – July 13, 2017
Pulp and Paper Safety Association Annual Safety Conference – “OSHA’s Last Year and “New” Direction – An Update” – Charleston – June 19, 2017
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “What HR Professionals Need to Know About OSHA” – San Diego – May 5, 2017
Metro Milwaukee SHRM Spring Conference – “Not Just Another New Year for Labor and Employment Law: The Top 10 Things to Watch and to Watch Out for in 2017” – Pewaukee – April 27, 2017
Wisconsin Safety Council/75th Annual Safety Conference – “So OSHA’s On Hyperdrive: What Difference Does That Make To An OSHA Inspection” – Wisconsin Dells – April 12, 2017
Private Client Webinar – “How To Manage An OSHA Inspection” – March 1, 2017
Integrated Risk Solutions – “Are You Ready When OSHA Shows Up At Your Workplace or Worksite” – Waukesha – January 12, 2017
Ogletree Deakins “Reel Ethics” Briefing – “Threatening Criminal Prosecution” – Waukesha – January 2017
Ogletree Deakins Managing a Workforce in 2017 – “Negotiating with OSHA – The Employee Misconduct Defense” – Kohler – September 2016
National Safety Council – 2016 Texas Safety Conference and Exposition – “OSHA-A-Not-So-Lame-Duck” – San Antonio – March 2016
Midwest Food Processors Association Annual Convention – “OSHA-A-Not-So-Lame-Duck” – Green Bay – December 2015
Pulp and Paper Safety Association Safety and Health Conference – “2015 OSHA Developments and Legal Review” – Savannah – June 2015
Wisconsin Agribusiness Association 2015 Safety Day – “OSHA’s Severe Injury Reporting and Proposed Electronic Reporting” – Wisconsin Dells – June 2015
American Bar Association Occupational Safety and Health Law Committee Annual Mid-Winter Meeting – “2013-2014 Key Issues in Enforcement” – Naples – March 2015
Flexible Packaging Association 2015 EHS Summit – “Contractor Safety Program and Compliance Issues” – St. Petersburg – January 2015
Flexible Packaging Association 2015 EHS Summit – “Safety Audit Programs that Work – Best Practices” – St. Petersburg – January 2015
TAPPI/Pulp and Paper Association – “OSHA Recordkeeping” – St. Petersburg – November 2014
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Occupational Therapy in Work Programs Course – “The Alphabet Soup of ADA, WC and OSHA” – Milwaukee – November 2014
TAPPI/AICC – “The Latest Developments at OSHA and Their Impact on Best Practices in Handling an OSHA Inspection” – Chicago – September 2014
Pulp and Paper Safety Association – “2013-2014 OSHA Developments and Review – What’s New?” – Orlando – June 2014
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Applied Ergonomics Course – “Managing an OSHA Inspection for Ergonomics (and Other) Hazards” – Milwaukee – June 2014
American Society of Safety Engineers Annual Safety Conference – Milwaukee Chapter – “What’s Up At OSHA?” – Milwaukee – March 2014
Associated Builders and Contractors, Wisconsin Chapter – “Multi-Employer Worksites: What to Expect During an OSHA Inspection” – Madison – February 2014
Pulp and Paper Manufacturers Association – “What’s in the Headlights? – An Employment Law Update” – Milwaukee – October 2013
Pulp and Paper Safety Association – “2013 OSHA Developments and Review” – Williamsburg – June 2013
Pulp and Paper Safety Association – “Understanding the Legal Pitfalls of Safety and Health Compliance Auditing” – Williamsburg – June 2013
American Society of Safety Engineers General Safety Conference, Milwaukee Chapter – “OSHA – What’s Up?” – Milwaukee – March 2013
Illinois Manufacturer’s Association – “What’s New at OSHA and What’s Ahead” – Chicago – January 2013
Wisconsin Agri-Business Association – “The Do’s and Don’ts of an OSHA Inspection” – Wisconsin Dells – January 2013
Jefferson County Safety Network – “OSHA: Mistakes an Employer Makes from an Attorney’s Perspective: What to Do When OSHA Shows Up!” – Milwaukee – October 2012
Society of Human Resources Professionals – “Screen Out Mr. Hyde Without Being Sued by Dr. Jekyll: The Use of Personality Assessments in Employment” – Milwaukee – October 2012
TAPPI Super CORRExpo – “OSHA Requirements & Implementation in Your Plant” – Atlanta – October 2012
International Warehouse Logistics Association – “Top Ten Mistakes an Employer Makes Before and During an OSHA Inspection” – Memphis – September 2012
Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Association Annual Conference – “Top Ten (Plus!) Hot Button Employment Law Issues for 2012-2013” – Milwaukee – September 2012
Pulp and Paper Safety Association’s 28th Annual Conference – “Regulatory and Enforcement Developments at OSHA – What’s Up?” – St. Petersburg – June 2012
Pulp and Paper Manufacturer’s Association Annual Conference – “Now Hear This! The Latest Developments in Employment Law You Must Know” – Milwaukee – May 2012
Empathia – “Sailing the Bermuda Triangle of Leaves of Absence Under the FMLA, the ADA and Worker’s Compensation” – Brookfield – April 2012
Employee Assistance Professionals Association’s 23rd Annual Conference – “Sailing the Bermuda Triangle of Leaves of Absence Under the FMLA, the ADA and Worker’s Compensation” – Waukesha – April 2012
American Bar Association Occupational Safety and Health Law Committee Annual Midwinter Meeting – “Come, Let Us Reason – Informal and Formal Settlement Trends, Processes and Procedures” – South Beach – March 2012
American Bar Association Occupational Safety and Health Law Committee Annual Midwinter Meeting – “OSHA’s Increased Emphasis on Enforcement – The Results So Far” – South Beach – March 2012
American Society of Safety Engineers Annual Safety Conference, Milwaukee Chapter – “2012 OSHA Development and Review – What’s Up?” – Milwaukee – March 2012
American Society of Safety Engineers, Fox Valley Chapter – “2012 OSHA Development and Review – What’s Up?” – Green Bay – February 1, 2012
Dairy Business Association Webinar – “The Dairy Operator’s Guide to Employment-Related Inspections and Audits by Federal Agencies” – Milwaukee – February 1, 2012
SHRM Chapter Meeting, Dodge County – “Wisconsin’s Concealed Carry Law: How to Prepare for the Impact on Your Business” – Beaver Dam – November 2011
Tool, Die & Machining Association of Wisconsin – “Wisconsin’s Concealed Carry Law: How to Prepare for the Impact on Your Business” – Appleton – October 2011
Wisconsin Worker’s Compensation Forum Annual Conference – “WC Injury Reporting and OSHA Recordkeeping: The Similarities and the Differences” – Waukesha – October 2011
American Foundry Society, Northeast Wisconsin Chapter – “2011 OSHA Development and Review – What’s Up?” – Oshkosh – September 2011
SHRM Chapter Meeting, Milwaukee County – “Wisconsin’s Concealed Carry Law: How to Prepare for the Impact on Your Business” – Wauwatosa – September 2011

Published Works

Media Quotes

July 18, 2022 – SHRM Online – “OSHA Penalties Can Run the Gamut from Nothing to Millions”
January 27, 2022 – Corp! Magazine – “Businesses Applaud Supreme Court Vaccine Ruling, But Uncertainty Awaits”
January 13, 2022 – The Washington Post – “Employers face patchwork of state policies on worker vaccination after Supreme Court order”
January 13, 2022 – SHRM Online – “What Do the Supreme Court Rulings on Vaccine Directives Mean for Employers?”
January 10, 2022 – Bloomberg Law – “Punching In: OSHA Plays Covid Long Game Amid High Court Test”
December 21, 2021 – SHRM Online – “OSHA Directive Requires a Written COVID-19 Vaccination Policy”
November 12, 2021 – Reuters – “Vaccine rule highlights workplace safety lawyers’ COVID-19 era rise”
November 10, 2021 – SHRM Online – “5 Steps to Help Create a Workplace COVID-19 Vaccination Policy”
November 4, 2021 – SHRM Online – “What Are the Practical Ramifications of the ETS Exemption for Remote Workers?”
November 4, 2021 – Law360 – “What Employers Need To Know About DOL’s Vax-Or-Test Rule”
September 13, 2021 – Reuters – “Biden vaccine plan hinges on rarely used rule, inviting legal challenges”
August 17, 2021 – SHRM Online – “OSHA Updates Guidance on Protecting Unvaccinated Workers”
June 25, 2021 – Law360 – “Ogletree Deakins Grows Workplace Safety Team With 2 Attys”
June 21, 2021 – Reuters – “U.S. employers wrestle with COVID vaccine requirements in regulatory “hairball””
May 25, 2021 – Construction Dive – “Judge dismisses COVID-19 lawsuit from contractor’s wife”
May 14, 2021 – Bloomberg Law – “Employers Face Compliance Questions Over CDC Mask Guidance”
February 1, 2021 – SHRM Online – “OSHA Issues Worker Safety Guidance for Coronavirus Protection Programs”
December 2, 2020 – SHRM Online – “OSHA May Issue COVID-19 Standards Under Biden Administration”
December 6, 2019 – Bloomberg Law – “Marijuana Legalization Raises Worker Safety Concerns”
October 25, 2018 – Bloomberg Environment – “Trump Presidency Has Little Impact on Worker Safety Inspections”
March 1, 2018 – SHRM Online – “Workplace Safety Experts Testify on OSHA’s Role”
February 27, 2018 – Business Insurance – “Former OSHA head criticizes regulatory pullback”
February 27, 2018 – Bloomberg Law – “Republicans Urge More Worker Safety Compliance Help for Companies”
February 27, 2018 – Inside OSHA – “Hearing Signals Sharp Divide Over GOP Push For OSHA Compliance Focus”
January 24, 2018 – SHRM Online – “Opioid Testing By Employers Is Becoming More Common”
December 21, 2017 – SHRM Online – “Senate Committee Approves OSHA Nominee Scott Mugno”
August 1, 2017 – SHRM Online – “OSHA Launches Electronic Injury and Illness Reporting System”
July 31, 2017 – Bloomberg BNA – “No OSHA Enforcement Pullback in Trump’s First Six Months”
April 14, 2017 – Inside OSHA – “OSHA Enforcement Officials ‘Nervous’ Amid Ramped Up Cutback Efforts”
March 30, 2017 – SHRM Online – “OSHA Problems May Be Hit by Budget Cuts”
March 9, 2017 – Bloomberg BNA – “OSHA Program Changes on Hold, Waiting for Trump Leadership”
January 12, 2017 – Inside OSHA Online – “Industry Hoping For OSHA Certainty, Despite Expected Trump Roll Back”
November 9, 2016 – Inside OSHA Online – “Trump Has A Wide Range Of Tools To Target OSHA Rules, Attorneys Say”
October 27, 2016 – Daily Reporter – “Hobbs’ job is a labor of love”
July 19, 2016 – Bloomberg BNA – “Higher OSHA Fines Raise Employer Concerns, Questions”