John Chen: Top-Rated Labor & Employment Litigation Attorney

John Chen is a highly acclaimed attorney specializing in Labor & Employment Litigation, consistently recognized as a leader in his field. With decades of experience representing a diverse range of clients, from Fortune 500 companies to large non-profit organizations, John has built a reputation for his expertise, strategic approach, and successful outcomes. His accolades and representative experience speak volumes about his capabilities and dedication to his clients.

Awards & Recognition

John Chen’s legal acumen has been consistently acknowledged by prestigious ranking organizations and publications:

The Best Lawyers in America®: A continuous recognition in Labor & Employment Litigation (2008-2025), Employment Law – Management, and Labor Law – Management (2012-2025) underscores John’s sustained excellence and peer recognition in these critical areas of law.
- He has been honored multiple times as the “Phoenix Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers®, specifically in:
  - Labor & Employment Litigation (2020, 2025)
  - Labor Law – Management (2016, 2018, 2021, 2024)
    These accolades highlight his exceptional expertise and standing among Phoenix attorneys.
Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, AZ Business Magazine: Inclusion in this list for multiple years (2015, 2017-2020) demonstrates John’s broader impact and influence within the Arizona legal community, extending beyond just his specialization.
AZ Business Leaders in Law, AZ Big Media: Featured in 2014 and 2016, this recognition further affirms his position as a leading legal professional in Arizona’s business sector.
Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business®: Ranked in Labor & Employment (2008-2024), Chambers USA is a highly respected guide, and this consistent ranking signifies John’s expertise and reputation among corporate clients and peers.
Southwest Super Lawyers®: Consistently selected for Employment & Labor (2009-2022, 2024) and recognized as a Top 50 Lawyer in Arizona (2011-2019, 2023) by Southwest Super Lawyers®, this distinction highlights his exceptional legal skills and high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement in the Southwest region.

Representative Experience

John Chen possesses a wide-ranging and impressive portfolio of experience, demonstrating his capabilities across various facets of labor and employment law.

Class and Collective Action Litigation

John has substantial experience defending employers in complex class and collective action lawsuits:

He successfully represented a Fortune 500 employer in litigation initiated by the EEOC concerning hiring preferences on the Navajo Nation, navigating intricate issues of tribal sovereignty and employment law.
John defended a Fortune 500 employer in a nationwide FLSA collective action related to work-from-home conditions during the pandemic, showcasing his adaptability to emerging workplace challenges.
He represented a hospital in a class action challenging mandated COVID-19 vaccines, addressing novel legal issues at the intersection of public health and employment law.
John has defended Fortune 500 employers in multiple nationwide class actions under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), demonstrating his expertise in consumer protection and employment background checks.
As a member of a National Coordinating Counsel team, he managed numerous wage and hour class actions and FLSA claims for a Fortune 500 employer, showcasing his ability to handle large-scale, multi-jurisdictional litigation.
He represented an electric utility in FLSA collective actions involving off-the-clock and donning-and-doffing claims, demonstrating his industry-specific knowledge and FLSA expertise.
John also defended a nationwide transportation provider in a consumer class action concerning alleged improper fees, highlighting his versatility in handling class action litigation beyond the employment context.

Traditional Labor Practice

John is highly skilled in traditional labor law, representing employers in various labor relations matters:

He represented a Fortune 500 employer in a series of labor arbitrations concerning union work jurisdiction, showcasing his expertise in contract interpretation and labor dispute resolution.
John advises employers across diverse industries in NLRB representation cases (union elections) and unfair labor practice proceedings, demonstrating his deep understanding of the National Labor Relations Act.
He provides strategic counsel to employers in labor negotiations and strike planning, guiding them through critical labor relations processes.
John represents employers in labor arbitrations involving wrongful discharge claims, effectively advocating for management rights in disciplinary matters.
He counsels companies on labor-related strategies during mergers and acquisitions, navigating the complexities of unionized workforces in corporate transactions.

Employment Litigation

John is a seasoned litigator in a wide array of employment disputes:

He successfully defended a large hospital system in a jury trial and appeal involving claims under USERRA, FMLA, and ADA brought by a physician, demonstrating his skill in handling complex employment discrimination and leave cases.
John represented a Fortune 500 employer in a jury trial concerning off-the-clock work under the FLSA, showcasing his trial advocacy skills in wage and hour disputes.
He represented a healthcare provider in an arbitration involving contract, wage payment, whistleblower, FMLA, and tort claims brought by a physician, demonstrating his ability to handle multifaceted employment-related claims in arbitration.
John defended a healthcare employer in a lengthy jury trial involving wage, contract, and tort claims by an employee who was also a minority shareholder, navigating complex issues of corporate governance and employment law.
He represented a large hospital system in litigation and appeal concerning discrimination, harassment, and emotional distress claims, demonstrating his expertise in sensitive employment matters.
John has represented a Fortune 500 employer in multiple restrictive covenant lawsuits, involving evidentiary proceedings to protect trade secrets and enforce non-compete agreements.

Investigations and Counseling

John is frequently sought after to conduct sensitive internal investigations and provide high-level counseling:

Publicly traded companies and major non-profit organizations, including their Boards of Directors and Audit Committees, rely on John to conduct confidential internal investigations. These investigations often involve C-level executives and senior leaders and cover a broad spectrum of critical issues, such as related party transactions, ethics violations, safety practices, financial irregularities, conflicts of interest, expense reimbursement concerns, whistleblowing allegations, discrimination, retaliation claims, sexual harassment accusations, privacy breaches, and substance abuse issues. His experience in these sensitive matters underscores his discretion, thoroughness, and ability to navigate complex and confidential situations.

Native American Practice

John possesses unique expertise in representing employers doing business with federally recognized Indian tribes:

On the Navajo Nation, John has extensive experience in tribal, state, and federal courts, handling litigation related to employment preferences, wrongful discharge, rights-of-way disputes, leasing and mineral rights, wrongful death claims, consumer billing practices, arbitration agreements, tribal taxes, and tribal court jurisdiction issues. His experience even extends to disputes involving grazing permits, demonstrating his comprehensive understanding of the unique legal landscape of Native American law and his ability to navigate complex jurisdictional and cultural issues.

Community Involvement

John Chen is deeply committed to his community, demonstrated by his active involvement in various non-profit and educational organizations:

The Heard Museum: Board of Trustees, Past Chair (2016-Present) – Demonstrates his commitment to arts and culture and his leadership in a prominent cultural institution.
All Saints Episcopal Day School: Board of Directors, Past Chair (2009-2016) – Reflects his dedication to education and his leadership in guiding a leading educational institution.
Teach for America, Phoenix Regional Advisory Board: Past Chair (2000-2006) – Showcases his commitment to educational equity and his leadership in a national education non-profit.
Valley of the Sun Human Resources Association: Board of Directors, Past Member – Highlights his engagement with the HR professional community, aligning with his labor and employment law expertise.
Paradise Valley United Methodist Church: Board of Trustees, Past Member – Demonstrates his community engagement and service to his faith community.

Representative Presentations and Publications

John Chen is a thought leader in his field, actively contributing to legal scholarship and professional development through publications and presentations:

“The EEOC Expands Employers’ Requirements to Accommodate Pregnancy and Childbirth Under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (June 20, 2024) – Demonstrates his up-to-date knowledge of evolving employment law.
“Labor Arbitrations & Strike Preparations,” Presenter, SHRM of Greater Phoenix Labor Conference (April 18, 2024) – Highlights his expertise in practical labor relations strategies.
“Labor and Employment Laws Applicable to Organized Delivery Systems,” Contributing Author, Health Care Administration, Jones & Bartlett 4th ed. (2004) – Shows his contribution to academic resources in healthcare administration.
“RICO and Labor Law,” Contributing Author, The Developing Labor Law, American Bar Association, 4th ed. (2000) – Demonstrates his scholarly contributions to foundational legal texts.
“Disparate Impact Discrimination,” Author, Labor and Employment Law for South Carolina Lawyers, South Carolina Bar (1999) – Highlights his expertise in employment discrimination law.
“Protecting the Growing Number of Older Women: The Age Discrimination in Employment Act” Editor, Procedures, 1997 Supp., George Mason University (1998) – Shows his focus on key areas of employment law and legal scholarship.
“Privacy in the Workplace,” Author, South Carolina Lawyer (January 1997) & “Information Technology and Workplace Privacy,” Author, American Textiles International, 48 (February 1997) – Demonstrates his early recognition of emerging workplace privacy issues.
“Solving Employment Disputes Without Court,” Author, American Textiles International, 32 (November 1996) – Highlights his focus on efficient dispute resolution methods.
“Future Electric Utility Bankruptcies,” Author, Bankruptcy Developments Journal, 12 (1996) – Shows his diverse legal knowledge and early career research.

John Chen’s extensive awards, diverse experience, community involvement, and scholarly contributions solidify his position as a preeminent Labor & Employment Litigation attorney. His comprehensive understanding of the law and dedication to his clients make him a trusted advisor and advocate for businesses facing complex employment law challenges.