Bob was named to Best Lawyers 2020 for Labor and Employment Law.
Bob provides practical advice. He helps us assess our options, reduce exposure to potential liabilities, and reach the best decision.
-Pam Newland, COO, Hendersen-Webb, LLC
Bob counsels and represents clients in all aspects of employment and labor law, including employment discrimination, personnel policies and practices, employment contracts, restrictive covenants, severance agreements, wrongful discharge, wage and hour law, collective bargaining, and National Labor Relations Act matters. He advises clients with respect to a wide range of employee benefits matters and is counsel to multiemployer pension and welfare funds and other employee benefit plans.
Bob chaired the Labor and Employment Law Section of the Maryland State Bar Association (2000-2002). He is a past President of the Maryland Chapter of the Labor and Employment Relations Association, (formerly the Industrial Relations Research Association). He served on the Labor and Employment Article Review Committee which recodified Maryland's employment statutes and he has been a member of the faculty for the Maryland Institute for the Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers (MICPEL) and other educational seminars.
Bob has been recognized by Woodward and White in Best Lawyers in America for his work in employment & labor law; by the British publisher Chambers & Partners in Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers for employment & labor law; and in Maryland's Super Lawyers - Corporate Counsel Edition for employment & labor law.
Bob has lectured and written on numerous labor, employment, and employee benefits issues, including avoiding liability in hiring and firing employees, the ADA, age discrimination, anti-harassment policies and training, reductions in force, severance programs, drug testing and substance abuse policies, claims and appeals procedures under ERISA, contingent workforce, and telecommuting.
Honors
AV Preeminent™ rating in Martindale-Hubbell®
Named to Chambers USA© for Employment & Labor Law since 2003
Named to Best Lawyers in America® for Employment Law - Management and Labor Law - Management since 2008
Named to Maryland Super Lawyers® for Employment & Labor Law 2007-2009 and 2012-2018
Professional and Civic Involvement
President, William H. M. Finney Foundation
Director and Past President, The Shepherd’s Clinic, Inc.
Past Chair, Maryland State Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
Member and Acting Chair, Maryland Code Revision Committee for Labor and Employment Law Article
Member and Past President, Maryland Chapter, Labor and Employment Relations Association (formerly the Industrial Relations Research Association)
Faculty Member, Maryland Institute for the Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers (MICPEL)
Member, International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
Publications and Lectures
- 24 Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named Best Lawyers in America® 2020, August 15, 2019
- Employers Will Be Required to Report Pay Data as Part of the EEO-1 Report by September 30, 2019, July 10, 2019
- Gordon Feinblatt Awarded Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2019, June 7, 2019
- 24 Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named Best Lawyers in America® 2019, August 15, 2018
- Gordon Feinblatt Awarded Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2018, May 3, 2018
- 24 Gordon Feinblatt Attorneys Named to 2018 Super Lawyers, January 26, 2018
- Maryland Enacts Mandatory Paid Sick/Safe Leave, January 16, 2018
- Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans Must Make RMDs Timely – Even For Participants Who Don’t Come Forward to Apply for Benefits, January 8, 2018
- Rethinking Recruitment Agency Agreements, December 14, 2017
- IRS Says ACA Penalty Letters Will Be Coming Soon, December 1, 2017
- Delaware Bans Salary History Inquiries, November 9, 2017
- 25 Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named to Best Lawyers in America 2018, September 25, 2017
- Gordon Feinblatt Awarded Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2017, May 9, 2017
- 23 Gordon Feinblatt Attorneys Named to 2017 Super Lawyers, January 17, 2017
- New EEOC Guidance for Employees with Mental Disabilities, January 10, 2017
- Employers Must Begin Using New I-9 Form By January 22, 2017, January 4, 2017
- Federal Court Blocks Implementation of Overtime Rule, November 23, 2016
- Montgomery County Paid Sick and Safe Leave Law to Take Effect October 1, 2016, November 15, 2016
- 25 Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named Best Lawyers in America 2017, September 14, 2016
- Enforcement of New Rule Which Would Limit Many Post Accident Drug Testing and Incentive Programs Delayed by OSHA, August 2, 2016
- Maryland to Impose Penalties for Misclassification of Employees as Independent Contractors, July 24, 2016
- Maryland Expands its Equal Pay Law, June 20, 2016
- EEOC Issues Final Regulations on Wellness Program, May 25, 2016
- DOL Issues Final Overtime Rules, May 19, 2016
- OSHA Rule Imposes New Injury Reporting Procedures and Seeks to Restrict Common Drug Testing and Safety Programs, May 16, 2016
- Obama Administration Proposes New Compensation Reporting Requirements, February 4, 2016
- 28 Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named Best Lawyers in America 2016, August 25, 2015
- DOL Guidance Asserts That Most Workers Are Employees - Not Independent Contractors, July 26, 2015
- DOL Proposes Changes to Overtime Rules, July 1, 2015
- Gordon Feinblatt Awarded Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2015, May 31, 2015
- Update -- New Maryland Employment Laws, September 17, 2014
- Maryland Adopts Mandatory Parental Leave For Small Employers, September 17, 2014
- Gender Identity Is Added To Maryland’s Discrimination Law, September 17, 2014
- Minimum Wage Increases For Maryland Workers, September 17, 2014
- "Ban the Box" Law Passes in Baltimore City, May 1, 2014
- 26 Gordon Feinblatt Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America 2014, January 29, 2014
- Affordable Care Act’s 90-Day Waiting Period Restriction Effective in 2014, December 16, 2013
- One-Year Delay in Play or Pay Penalties and Certain Reporting Requirements Under Affordable Care Act, July 7, 2013
- Gordon Feinblatt Awarded Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2013, June 2, 2013
- New Maryland Employment Laws and Federal Court Invalidates NLRB Posting Rule, May 20, 2013
- DOL Issues Guidance and Model Notices under Affordable Care Act and COBRA, May 13, 2013
- New I-9 Form and FMLA Amendments, March 14, 2013
- Same Sex Marriage - Health Insurance Benefits, January 14, 2013
- New Fair Credit Reporting Act Summary of Rights Notice Required Effective January 1, 2013, December 19, 2012
- Another Section 409A Compliance Deadline -- December 31, 2012, December 3, 2012
- 27 Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named As Best Lawyers in America 2013, October 4, 2012
- New Maryland Employment Law Legislation, May 15, 2012
- Off Again..... The NLRB Postpones Implementation of Its Notice Posting Rule Pending Resolution of Court Disputes, April 18, 2012
- On Again, Off Again - NLRB Posting Requirement Is On Again. All Employers Must Comply By April 30, 2012., March 27, 2012
- "Facebook Firing" Revisited: The NLRB's Social Media Agenda, December 14, 2011
- NLRB Postpones Effective Date of Employee Rights Notice-Posting Rule Until January 31, 2012, October 10, 2011
- 24 Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named as Best Lawyers in America 2012, September 14, 2011
- EEOC Turns Focus To “No Fault” Leave Policies: Verizon Pays $20 Million Dollars To Settle ADA Lawsuit, September 12, 2011
- All Employers To Be Required To Post Notice of Rights Under Labor Law, August 28, 2011
- Gordon Feinblatt Awarded Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2011, June 15, 2011
- New Maryland Law Restricts Use of Credit Reports for Employment Purposes, May 3, 2011
- Supreme Court Expands Class of Potential Plaintiffs Who Can File Retaliation Claims Under Title VII To Include Third-Parties, March 13, 2011
- EEOC Targets Inflexible Leave Policies, February 9, 2011
- Health Care Law Requires Employers To Provide Break Time And A Place For Nursing Mothers, February 9, 2011
- National Labor Relations Board Announces Intent to Require All Private Employers to Post a Notice Informing Employees of Their NLRA Rights, December 26, 2010
- 20 Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named as Best Lawyers in America 2011, November 15, 2010
- New Maryland Law Mandates Work Breaks for Certain Retail Employees, June 17, 2010
- 2010 Maryland Laws Update, June 14, 2010
- COBRA Subsidy Extended Through May 31, 2010, April 19, 2010
- COBRA SUBSIDY EXTENDED -- AGAIN, March 15, 2010
- Employer Notice Obligation Under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), March 15, 2010
- Model Notices for COBRA Subsidy Extension, January 24, 2010
- COBRA Subsidy Extension, December 29, 2009
- Homeland Security Announces It Will Implement Mandatory E-Verify for Federal Contractors, August 9, 2009
- 2009 Maryland Laws Update, July 9, 2009
- Amendments Clarify the Maryland Flexible Leave Act, May 26, 2009
- Update To COBRA Requirements Under The Stimulus Act, March 24, 2009
- 19 Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named to Maryland's 2009 Super Lawyers and 3 Named to Maryland's "Rising Stars", March 5, 2009
- Economic Stimulus Act Imposes New COBRA Obligations on Employers, February 25, 2009
- Seventeen Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named to Best Lawyers in America 2009, December 30, 2008
- Department of Labor Publishes Final Amendments To FMLA Regulations, December 23, 2008
- 2008 Maryland Laws Update, June 26, 2008
- Federal Contractors Will Be Required To Use E-Verify Program To Confirm Employees’ Right To Work In U.S., June 24, 2008
- Maryland Passes Flexible Leave Law, June 9, 2008
- Legislature Fixes Problem with Vacation Leave Payouts, April 6, 2008
- Amendments To FMLA Add New Leave For Military Families, February 28, 2008
- SUPREME COURT WIDENS AVAILABILITY OF 401(k) LAWSUITS, February 28, 2008
- Montgomery County Enacts Law Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Gender Identification, January 1, 2008
- Fifteen Gordon Feinblatt Lawyers Named to 2008 Best Lawyers in America, January 1, 2008
- Vacation Pay Policies In Turmoil, December 22, 2007
- Employers Must Switch To New I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form By December 26, 2007, November 30, 2007
- Update: Vacation Pay Entitlement for Employees, November 29, 2007
- Changes to Maryland's Health Insurance Laws Effective January 1, 2008 - Coverage Until a Dependent Turns Age 25, October 31, 2007
- Maryland Employers Should Review Vacation/PTO Policies, October 31, 2007
- December 31, 2007 Deadline Still Looms for Section 409A Compliance, August 31, 2007
- Deadline For Employers To File Revised EEO-1 Form is Approaching, July 31, 2007
- Section 409A Regulations Are Finalized, May 31, 2007
- 2007 Maryland Laws Update, April 30, 2007
- IRS Issues Guidance On New Retirement Plan Rules, February 28, 2007
- GFR Lawyers Chosen for Super Lawyers 2007, January 1, 2007
- Whistleblower Protection Under Sarbanes-Oxley, December 31, 2006
- Baltimore EEOC Office Litigation: A Year In Review, November 30, 2006
- New Law Encourages Automatic Enrollment To Help Employers Boost Participation in 401(k) Plans, November 30, 2006
- Correction Programs For Employee Benefit Plans, November 30, 2006
- After Acquired Evidence, November 30, 2006
- Much Ado About Very Little: 'Oakwood Healthcare, Inc.', November 30, 2006
- Impact of Section 409A On Severance Arrangements, November 30, 2006
- Healthcare Employers Receiving $5 Million Or More Per Year Fom Medicaid Must Educate Employees and Contractors on False Claims Laws and Whistleblowing, October 31, 2006
- Congress Passes Pension Reform, July 31, 2006
- New Laws And Regulations Affecting Employee Benefit Plans, June 30, 2006
- U.S. Supreme Court OK's Reimbursement Rights for ERISA Medical Plans, May 31, 2006
- Maryland Enacts Nondiscrimination Law Applicable To Entities Engaging In Business With The State, April 30, 2006
- You Broke It, You Bought It! (How A Common Employment Policy May Cause Problems) DOL Issues Opinion Letter on Charging Exempt Employees for the Cost of Lost or Broken Equipment, April 30, 2006
- New Laws And Regulations Affecting Employee Benefit Plans November 2004, October 31, 2004
- No Right To Representation In Nonunion Workplace, June 30, 2004
- Supreme Court Limits Lawsuits Against HMO's, May 31, 2004
- Supreme Court Reaffirms Availability of Employer's Affirmative Defense to Supervisor Sexual Harassment, May 31, 2004
- Final COBRA Regulations Issued by DOL, April 30, 2004
- PBGC Proposes New Penalties, April 30, 2004
- FMLA Update December 2003, November 30, 2003
- Maryland Employers Beware! There is Nothing Unusual About Workplace Accidents When It Comes to Awarding Workers' Compensation, July 31, 2003
- Fourth Circuit Holds Employees Can Select a Specific Weingarten Representative, July 31, 2003
- Maryland Employer's Firing of an At-Will Employee for Consulting Attorney is Not a Wrongful Discharge, May 31, 2003
- I'm Not Sleeping, I'm on Leave, May 31, 2003
- Department of Labor Seeks to Modernize White Collar Exemptions, March 31, 2003
- Employer Obligations to Members of the Military, February 28, 2003
- D.C.'s Top Court Retreats from Anti-Employer Decisions re: Employee Handbooks, January 31, 2003
- When is A Commission Due? (Updated), December 1, 2002
- New IRS Guidance on Health Reimbursement Accounts, September 30, 2002
- Court of Appeals Extends Wrongful Discharge Tort, September 30, 2002
- Health Benefits for Domestic Partners, September 30, 2002
- Swearing Is No Big Deal At Least When Filing An EEOC Complaint, August 31, 2002
- Social Security's New Policy on Mismatched Employee Information, August 31, 2002
- Court of Appeals Narrows Telephone Exemption Under Maryland Wiretap Act, August 31, 2002
- Supreme Court Strikes Down NLRB's Imposition of Liability Against Employer Who Filed Unsuccessful Lawsuit, August 31, 2002
- Is There Such A Thing As Reverse Age Discrimination?, July 31, 2002
- Continuing Violation Theory Extended, July 31, 2002
- A Threat To One's Self Is Enough, July 31, 2002
- ERISA Plan Claims and Appeals:, June 30, 2002
- Ergonomics - Redux, March 31, 2002
- FMLA Leave, By Any Other Name, Is Still FMLA Leave, February 28, 2002
- Employers Should Update Anti-Harassment Policies and Practices, January 31, 2002
- Privacy of Medical Information: Employer and Employee Rights and Obligations, December 31, 2001
- Covered Employers are Required to Post OSHA 200 Log in February, December 31, 2001
- When Is A Commission Due?, November 30, 2001
- Employer Obligations Regarding Employees Called to Duty in Uniformed Services, November 30, 2001
- New OSHA Record-Keeping Requirements, October 31, 2001
- No Investigation Without Representation, October 31, 2001
- New Maryland Laws Prohibit Discrimination Based Upon Sexual Orientation and Genetic Information, April 30, 2001
- OSHA Ergonomic Program Standard Rejected, February 28, 2001
- Employee Separation Agreements Under New EEOC Regulations:, December 31, 2000
- Maryland Employers Must Exercise Reasonable Care in Negotiations For At-Will Employment, November 30, 2000
- Telecommuting - Being Virtually There, September 30, 2000
- Did You Fail to File a Form 5500?, June 30, 2000
- Does "Current" Drug Use Mean Yesterday, Last Week or Last Month?, September 21, 1997
Education
J.D., Boston College, 1976
B.A., The Johns Hopkins University, 1973
Bar Admissions
Maryland, 1976
