Matthew Austin

I am a nationwide management labor lawyer with clients from California to Maine and Wisconsin to Texas. I also represent international companies with operations in the U.S. I handle all facets of labor relations. Labor laws govern all employees of most every employer. Proactive management of labor relations is critical to maintaining flexibility and increasing profit. For non-union companies, I educate managers on how the National Labor Relations Act applies to them and review policies for compliance with labor laws. I respond to unfair labor practice charges, union organizing drives, and union elections. Most of these non-union clients are in highly unionized industries like grocery, transportation, manufacturing, and services. For unionized companies, I review contracts and develop negotiation plans that obtain the clients' objectives. I respond to unfair labor practice charges and handle NLRB proceedings. I conduct strike planning and combat economic pressure techniques like strikes, salting, sickouts, and corporate campaigns. I consult with companies to ensure they follow the law and their collective bargaining agreement. I also navigate through complex labor laws when responding to decertification elections or withdrawing recognition of unions. I also run Austin Legal's HR Legal Compliance Program. Member companies utilize Austin Legal to ensure their HR decisions are protected by the attorney-client privilege. A flat monthly fee gives companies this peace of mind as well as other critical aspects necessary to effectively run a lawful, proactive HR Department. Through this program, Austin Legal works lockstep with companies and assists in running their HR departments. My experience is deeply rooted in helping manage many aspects of my client's businesses. To effectively manage labor relations, I must also manage budgets, forecasts, new growth areas, and projected market corrections. High emotional intelligence is also critical to negotiating union contracts and to properly advise HR Legal Compliance members through the nuances of the law, its application to their companies, and how it will be received by employees.