James J. Plunkett

Jim Plunkett is a shareholder in the Washington, D.C. office of Ogletree Deakins. Jim was previously the Director for Labor Law Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce where he focused on legislation, regulations, and policy decisions that impact the workplace. This included activity concerning the National Labor Relations Board, the Department of Labor, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, as well as international labor issues.

Prior to joining the Chamber, Jim was an associate at a national law firm where he advised employers concerning their legal obligations arising under federal laws such as the National Labor Relations Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification Act. Jim also assisted in conducting collective bargaining negotiations and drafting employee handbooks on behalf of clients.

Jim was also a Staff Attorney at the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation (NRTW) where he advised clients concerning violations of their rights due to compulsory unionism arrangements. At NRTW, Jim represented his clients before federal courts, the NLRB, and various local public sector employment agencies.

Jim is a graduate of Boston College Law School in Newton, Massachusetts and James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

More About James J. Plunkett

Education & Admission

Speeches

Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “Multistate Monday, Election Edition: Legislative Action in the Works as the Ballot Boxes Open” – November 18, 2024
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Post-2024 Election Outlook: Preparing for Changes in Labor and Employment Law” – November 7, 2024
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “Implications of the 2024 Elections on Immigration: Projections and Analysis” – October 18, 2024
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Navigating the Future Landscape of Federal and Multistate Labor and Employment Laws” – September 5, 2024
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “KEYNOTE POLICYMAKER PERSPECTIVE INTRODUCTION: A View From the EEOC Kalpana Kotagal, Commissioner, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission” – Washington, D.C. – May 3, 2024
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “D.C. Download: A Closer Look at What to Expect From D.C. and the 2024 Elections” – Washington, D.C. – May 2, 2024
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “Dirty Steel-Toe Boots, Episode 22: The OSHA Buzz for 2024” – January 30, 2024
Workplace Safety Symposium – “The Latest on Workplace Safety Legislation, Policy, and Enforcement” – Austin – December 7, 2023
Immigration Insights Symposium – “Inside Immigration: The Buzz From the Beltway” – November 14, 2023
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Proposed Rule to Modernize H-1B Requirements and Revamp the H-1B Cap Registration Process” – November 2, 2023
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Immigration Consequences of a Possible Federal Government Shutdown” – September 28, 2023
Workplace Strategies Seminar – ““Headline News”—Key Developments for Employers in 2023” – San Diego – May 11, 2023
Labor Law Solutions – “Beltway Buzz on Labor: Politics, Polemics, and Pundits” – Nashville – December 9, 2022
Workplace Safety Symposium – “Workplace Safety Legislative, Policy, and Regulatory Developments” – Tampa – December 8, 2022
Ogletree Deakins Podcast – “The Supreme Court’s 2022 Affirmative Action Cases and Their Impact on Employers” – November 16, 2022
Ogletree Deakins Signature Event – “The Results Are In: What the Midterm Elections Mean for Employers” – Pinehurst – November 10, 2022
Immigration Insights Symposium – “Midterm Elections and the Potential Impact on Immigration: The Buzz From the Beltway” – October 27, 2022
Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “The Midterms Are Coming! What the Outcome May Mean for Employers” – Colorado Springs – September 23, 2022
Workplace Strategies Seminar – “News You Can Use: Employment Policy Developments From Washington, D.C.” – Phoenix – May 6, 2022
Workplace Strategies Seminar – “BELTWAY BUZZ: Politics, Polls, and Policy—The Impact on Employers” – Phoenix – May 4, 2022
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “TECHPLACE™ Regulation in 2022: What Tech Employers and Users Should Expect” – January 21, 2022
Workplace Safety Symposium – “The Washington Buzz: What’s the Latest as the Dust Settles From the 2020 Elections?” – Phoenix – December 3, 2021
Labor Law Solutions – “One Year Later: Is President Biden Making Good on His Promise to Be the Most Pro-Union President?” – Las Vegas – December 2, 2021
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “OSHA Hour: OSHA’s Response to the CDC’s Relaxed Masking and Social Distancing Policies” – May 27, 2021
Ogletree Deakins Virtual Briefing – “President Biden and a New Administration: What Every Employer Needs to Know” – March 25, 2021
Navigating California Employment Law – “Beltway Buzz: How Will the Biden Administration Impact California Employers?” – March 4, 2021
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “The TECHPLACE^TM in the Biden Administration” – February 16, 2021
Independent Electrical Contractors Webinar – “The Prospects for Upending Labor Law – The PRO Act ” – January 18, 2021
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “OSHA Hour: OSHA in 2021-What to Expect From the New Administration” – December 10, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Election 2020: A Rundown of What’s On the Horizon in Labor and Employment Law” – December 9, 2020
Virtual Workplace Safety Symposium – “What Can We Expect in 2021 and Beyond in Light of the Election?” – December 3, 2020
Labor Law Solutions – “What November Means for Your Workforce: The Impact of the 2020 Elections” – December 2, 2020
Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “Post-Elections Download: (Pretty Much) Everything Employers Need to Know About the 2020 Elections” – November 11, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Seminar – “State of the Union: What’s at Stake and Anticipated Changes in Employment Laws” – October 7, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Immigration Insights Symposium – “Immigration Policy and Election Update: What’s on the Horizon” – October 1, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Virtual Conference – “”Beltway Buzz”—The Latest Legislative and Regulatory Update for Employers” – May 14, 2020
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Beltway Buzz: Tuning in to Employment Law Topics for 2020” – January 22, 2020
Labor Law Solutions – “Beltway Buzz: Labor Update” – Nashville – December 6, 2019
Workplace Safety Symposium – “The Beltway Buzz: What’s the Latest as We Approach the 2020 Elections?” – New Orleans – December 5, 2019
Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “Beltway Buzz” – New Orleans – November 16, 2019
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Headline News – Key Developments Impacting Employers” – Las Vegas – May 2, 2019
Ogletree Deakins Webinar – “Congressional Clashes and Policy Pivots: Federal Employment Law Developments and What to Watch for in 2019” – February 20, 2019
Ogletree Deakins Labor Law Solutions – “Inside the Beltway: Labor Politics” – Las Vegas – December 7, 2018
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Safety Symposium – “The Midterm Elections: What Impact Will the New Congress Have on Federal Regulation and Enforcement?” – Nashville – December 6, 2018
Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “Beltway Buzz: The Midterms Are Over . . . Now What?” – La Quinta – November 8, 2018
Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “Washington Watch” – Boca Raton – November 11, 2017
Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – ““Headline News”—The Perfect Start to Your Workplace Strategies” – San Diego – May 4, 2017

Published Works

Media Quotes

November 8, 2024 – The American Lawyer – “Labor & Employment Firms Expect Demand Surge as Bosses Face Uncertainty Over Rules Changes”
August 10, 2023 – SHRM Online – “Stay Abreast of New Federal Regulations About to Arrive”
August 1, 2023 – SHRM Online – “Federal Contractors Must Publicize Whether They Use Union Avoidance ‘Persuaders’”
March 3, 2023 – Federal Times – “How Julie Su may lead Labor Dept. under ‘pro-union’ president”
June 23, 2022 – SHRM Online – “Proposed Overtime Rule Now Projected to Come Out in Fall”
June 22, 2022 – Law360 – “DOL Aims To Wrap Religious Contractor, COVID-19 Regs In ’22”
February 3, 2022 – SHRM Online – “Employee Protections from Retaliation Have Grown During Breyer’s Tenure”
July 13, 2021 – Law360 – “Biden’s No. 2 DOL Pick Confirmed By Senate”
June 29, 2021 – Law360 – “Labor And Employment Policy To Watch In 2021’s Second Half”
June 8, 2021 – Law360 – “Biden Pick For WHD Signals Classification, Enforcement Push”
May 14, 2021 – SHRM Online – “House Passes Pregnant Workers Fairness Act”
April 29, 2021 – Law360 – “Attys Mixed On Biden’s Wage Promises In Capitol Speech”
April 28, 2021 – Law360 – “Paid Family Leave In $1.8T Biden Plan No Sure Thing”
April 2, 2021 – SHRM Online – “How the American Jobs Plan Would Affect the Workplace”
March 15, 2021 – SHRM Online – “American Rescue Plan Act Doesn’t Require Leave”
March 8, 2021 – Law360 – “Opposition From Freelancers Saddles PRO Act Efforts”
March 5, 2021 – SHRM Online – “Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Reintroduced”
March 4, 2021 – SHRM Online – “Labor Department Officially Delays Independent-Contractor Rule”
February 4, 2021 – Bloomberg Law – “Labor Nominee Walsh Aims to Show Broad Appeal in Senate Hearing”
January 27, 2021 – Law360 – “Did Stifled EEOC Sex Harassment Guidance Die On The Vine?”
January 8, 2021 – Bloomberg Law – “Democratic Edge in Senate Opens Narrow Path for Workplace Bills”
January 7, 2021 – SHRM Online – “DOL Clarifies Definition of Independent Contractor”
January 6, 2021 – Law360 – “Dems’ Thin Majority Leaves Slim Path For Workplace Reform”
January 3, 2021 – Law360 – “Opposing Interests That Could Shape Labor Policy In 2021”
December 11, 2020 – SHRM Online – “Can Employers Expect a New Overtime Rule Under Biden?”
December 8, 2020 – SHRM Online – “EEOC Priorities May Change Under a Biden Administration”
November 30, 2020 – Bloomberg Law – “EEOC Predicted to Veer From Novel Lawsuits in Early Biden Years”
November 17, 2020 – Bloomberg Law – “Biden’s Diversity Policies May Line Up With Corporate America’s”
November 16, 2020 – Law360 – “Senate Split Will Hamper Biden’s Labor Policy Reforms”
June 5, 2020 – SHRM Online – “Trump Signs Bill Easing Paycheck Protection Program Requirements”
May 19, 2020 – Bloomberg Law – “EEOC Proposes Rules in Line With Trump Guidance Order”
March 31, 2020 – Bloomberg Law – “Virus Paid Leave Law’s April 1 Start Muddles Layoff Decisions”
February 3, 2020 – SHRM Online – “Listen for These Workplace Issues in Trump’s SOTU Address”
December 10, 2019 – Bloomberg Law – “Wanted: Overworked Manager Who Can Expand Trump Overtime Rule”
November 20, 2019 – Law360 – “EEOC Jumps On Joint Employer Regulation Bandwagon”
September 23, 2019 – SHRM Online – “House Passes Bill to Ban Mandatory Employment Arbitration Agreements”
July 12, 2019 – Law360 – “Acosta Departure Paves Way For Pro-Biz Shift At DOL”
May 6, 2019 – Bloomberg BNA – “Ousting Unions May Get Easier as NLRB Weighs Options”
April 9, 2019 – Business Insurance – “Joint employer rule provides clarity but may be overturned by courts”
January 28, 2019 – Human Resource Executive – “Coming Soon: More Worker-Friendly Legislation”
November 7, 2018 – Law360 – “What Congress’ Shift Means For Workplace Law”
September 18, 2018 – SHRM Online – “DOL Focuses on Compliance-Based Programs”
September 17, 2018 – Bloomberg BNA – “Labor Board Ratchets Up Prosecution of ‘Negligent’ Unions”
August 20, 2018 – Law360 – “Are Federal Paid Leave, Scheduling Laws On The Horizon?”
July 24, 2018 – Bloomberg Law – “Dems, Staffers Concerned Labor Board Buyouts Could Undermine Agency”
July 18, 2018 – SHRM Online – “SHRM Opposes Boeing’s Micro-Bargaining Units”
April 10, 2018 – Bloomberg BNA – “Midterms Could Slow Labor Nominee Confirmations”
February 28, 2018 – Human Resource Executive – “Inside the EEOC’s Strategic Plan”
February 15, 2018 – Bloomberg BNA – “GOP Strands Labor Dept. in Tip Pool, as the Left Swarms”
January 20, 2018 – Law360 – “Attorneys Preparing Clients For A Costly Shutdown”
January 10, 2018 – Bloomberg BNA – “Slow Confirmations Could Hamper Labor Department Action”
January 1, 2018 – Law360 – “Labor And Employment Legislation, Regs To Watch In 2018”
December 13, 2017 – Bloomberg BNA – “What Federal Contractors, Workers Want for the New Year”
December 2017 – InsideSources – “What Democrats Have to Lose From the End of Forced Union Dues”
November 27, 2017 – Bloomberg BNA – “Labor Dept. Contractor Auditor Still Lacks Political Head”
October 17, 2017 – InsideSources – “Will Public-Sector Unions Really See a Mass Exodus of Members?”
October 5, 2017 – Bloomberg BNA – “Clash of Labor, Employment Laws Has Bosses Scratching Heads”
September 12, 2017 – Law360 – “5 Labor And Employment Bills To Watch”
August 24, 2017 – SHRM Online – “EEOC Ordered to Reconsider Wellness Rules”
August 23, 2017 – Bloomberg BNA – “DOL’s Contractor Auditor Offers Buyouts in Face of Budget Cut”
August 18, 2017 – SHRM Online – “NLRB Tells Supreme Court It Opposes Class-Action Waivers”
August 17, 2017 – Law360 – “Dems And Trump Remain At Odds On Nominees”
August 4, 2017 – Employment Law Daily – “Marvin Kaplan confirmed to bring Labor Board to four Members”
July 21, 2017 – SHRM Online – “The Resurgence of Right-to-Work Laws”
July 20, 2017 – SHRM Online – “Senate Committee Advances Trump’s NLRB Nominees”
July 11, 2017 – SHRM Online – “Justice Department Now Defends Class-Action Waivers”
June 29, 2017 – Roll Call – “Trump Nominees for Labor Board Could Nix Obama-Era Rules”
June 29, 2017 – Bloomberg BNA – “Tump Nominates Corporate Counsel as New EEOC Chair”
June 27, 2017 – Bloomberg BNA – “Labor Department Shifts on Overtime, Opinion Letters”
June 9, 2017 – SHRM Online – “Labor Department Wants to Withdraw 2016 Persuader Rule”
June 8, 2017 – SHRM Online – “Labor Department Revokes Expansive Definitions of ‘Employer'”
May 31, 2017 – Law360 – “Changes Employers, Workers Want To See At EEO Agencies”
May 24, 2017 – Bloomberg BNA – “Trump’s Proposed EEOC-OFCCP Merger May Need Congressional Action”
May 23, 2017 – Bloomberg BNA – “Idea to Merge EEOC, Contracting Watchdog Not Well-Received”
May 23, 2017 – Law360 – “Workers, Biz Groups May Sink Plan To Merge EEOC, OFCCP”
May 23, 2017 – Law360 – “4 Questions Raised By Trump’s Paid Family Leave Proposal”
April 28, 2017 – Bloomberg BNA – “What’s Next at Labor Department After Acosta Confirmation?”
April 27, 2017 – SHRM Online – “Trump’s First 100 Days and a Look Ahead”
April 27, 2017 – Law360 – “3 Key Questions For Employers As Trump’s 100th Day Looms”
April 17, 2017 – SHRM Online – “Senators Urge Revocation of EEO-1 Form’s Pay Reporting Mandate”
April 14, 2017 – Bloomberg BNA – “Trump’s Davis-Bacon quote Turns Construction Industry Heads”
March 27, 2017 – Bloomberg BNA – “Punching In: Acosta Vote, DOL Opinions Tribal Labor”
March 27, 2017 – Law360 – “Maturing Workforce Puts Age Discrimination In The Spotlight”