Howard Cole’s practice includes both traditional labor law and employment law and litigation. His practice is limited to exclusive representation of employers in both the private and public sectors, including gaming, health care, public agencies, construction companies, and dozens of other industries.
Traditional Labor Law
In the area of traditional labor law, Howard has extensive experience representing employers in union organizing efforts, developing union-free strategies, defending companies in unfair labor practices before the National Labor Relations Board, negotiating collective bargaining agreements on behalf of private and public sector employers, representing employers during union strikes and picketing, and representing employers in arbitration and mediation matters.
Employment Litigation and Counseling
Howard also advises clients throughout the West on day-to-day legal issues affecting the workplace, including employee discipline and terminations, workforce reductions, discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims, confidential proprietary information and trade secrets disputes, substance abuse, ADA, ADEA, OWBPA, Title VII and ADAAP issues, occupational safety and health, wage and hour, wrongful termination, contract administration, strategic planning, benefit matters, employment agreements, personnel policies, workplace privacy, executive employment contracts, overseeing and conducting internal investigations involving employee misconduct, and other human resources issues. He regularly defends employers in state and federal courts and administrative agencies on disputes involving discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, trade secrets/unfair competition, and wage and hour law. He has also defended clients in class and collective actions involving the FLSA and state wage/hour laws in state and federal court. In addition, he has represented clients in workplace safety disputes before NV-OSHA, Cal OSHA and Fed OSHA, and state OSHA review boards.
Training
Howard provides extensive training and consulting with clients. He regularly strategizes with management about ways to prevent expensive and time-consuming litigation. He trains clients’ executives, managers, and supervisors on employment law and human resource issues designed to reduce wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims.
More About Howard E. Cole
Education
- J.D., University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, 1979
- B.A., University of California, Los Angeles, 1975
Bar Admissions
- Nevada, 1993
- California, 1980
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- California Supreme Court
- Nevada Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court, District of Nevada
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
Community
- Employment Law Alliance, Member
- Clark County Bar Association, Member
- American Bar Association, Member
Honors & Recognitions
- Nathan Adelson Hospice, Brad Garett Humanitarian Award, 2023
- Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers, 2023
- The Best Lawyers in America, 2016 Labor Law – Management “Lawyer of the Year” in Las Vegas; Labor and Employment Law, Labor Law and Employment Law Management, 2000-2025
- Chambers USA, Labor & Employment, 2003-2012, 2016-2024
- Mountain States Super Lawyers, 2010 "Top 75," Employment, Labor, 2008-2021
- Lawdragon, Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers of America, 2021
- Vegas Inc., Top Lawyers, Labor and Employment, 2021, 2023
- Benchmark Litigation, "Labor & Employment Star - West," 2018-2024
- Human Resource Executive Magazine, Top 20 "Most Powerful Labor Lawyers" in the United States, 2016, 2017, 2019
- Lawdragon, Most Powerful Corporate Employment Lawyers, 2019
- Benchmark Litigation, "Local Litigation Star" in Nevada, 2016
- Vegas Inc., Top Lawyers, Employment-Management, 2012
- Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel, 2009
- John P. Frank Pro Bono Awards Luncheon, Recognized for commitment, Pro bono service
News
Publications
Client Alerts
Blog Posts
- Lewis Roca Blog, 12/22/2020,
- Lewis Roca Blog, 12/18/2020,
- Lewis Roca Blog, 04/30/2020
Events
- Presenter, "Hot Topics in Labor and Employment Law 2017," Association of Corporate Counsel - April Luncheon, Association of Corporate Counsel Nevada Chapter, April 26, 2017
- Press Release |  09/10/2024
- Honors & Recognitions |  08/15/2024
- Press Release |  06/6/2024