Michael Hanlon has a diverse, high-level practice counseling large publicly traded corporations, government entities, and other employers in all areas of employment law as well as strategic legal issues.  He provides counsel to clients on issues arising from transactions including mergers and acquisitions and governmental takeovers. His practice includes all areas of traditional labor and employment law, executive compensation, employment discrimination and public education.

He regularly counsels clients in the following areas:

• Compliance with federal and state employment laws, including employment discrimination, disability, wage and hour, mass layoff and reduction in force, as well as litigation avoidance strategies in these areas;
• Planning for and execution of transactions including transfer of workforce issues, collective bargaining issues, executive compensation issues;
• Advising Boards of Directors and negotiating executive employment agreements.

He represents clients in litigation before courts in various federal agencies on matters involving claims of discrimination, harassment, unfair labor practices, safety including OSHA matters and Fair Labor Standards Act or other wage and hour claims.

Since its inception, Chambers USA has ranked Mr. Hanlon as a leader in labor and employment law.  Chambers USA 2009 recognized him for his experience in public sector labor negotiations.  Chambers USA 2008 noted his "practice encompasses the full breadth of labor and employment matters, although he is also distinguished by his work for public school districts.  Clients prize 'his invaluable' [skill] in this regard."  In Chambers USA 2007, "clients view him as 'a negotiator who attains the must-have objectives.'"  The 2006 Chambers USA said he was named by clients as "'a negotiator par excellence.'"  In 2005, Chambers reported him as "renowned for his 'controlled aggression'  in the courtroom."  The 2004 edition of Chambers said "'vastly experienced' [he] was commended by clients for his 'integrity and finesse.'"

Mr. Hanlon is also included in Who’s Who in American Law.  He has received the highest possible rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Mr. Hanlon publishes regularly and recently authored a chapter entitled "The Keys to Successful Labor Negotiations" for Inside the Minds—Labor and Employment Settlements and Negotiations:  Leading Lawyers on Employment Contracts, Workplace Discrimination, and Dispute Resolution (Aspatore Books 2006).

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

• Forged a $5 billion, four-year contract between a major metropolitan city and its teachers 
• Represented a state regarding largest urban school takeover in the United States
• Negotiated largest school privatization agreements in the United States
• Successfully defended chemical manufacturer in OSHA matter arising from explosion that killed several employees
• Negotiated unique labor management partnership agreement establishing city- wide apprentice program
• Successfully resolved multiple plaintiff employment discrimination claims

COMMUNITY SERVICE & AFFILIATIONS

Mr. Hanlon has been the president of the Board of School Directors for the Garnet Valley School District, in southwest Delaware County, since 1997.  He has been a member of the Board of Directors since 1992 and served as chairperson of the District's Finance Committee.  Mr. Hanlon also served as a member of the Board of the Delaware County Intermediate Unit and has chaired its Personnel Policy Committee.  He also serves as a member of the Health Service Board of Crozer-Keystone Health System and serves on the Joint Policy Board of the Crozer-Chester Medical Center.  Mr. Hanlon is also a member of the Association for Quality and Participation, Philadelphia Area Council for Excellence, the National School Boards Association, the Labor and Employment Relations Association, and the National Public Employers Labor Relations Association.