Renowned labor and employment law expert Howard Lavin, previously at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, is making a significant career move. He will soon begin his role in anchoring the labor practice of Thompson Coburn’s New York office, a significant addition to the firm’s expansion efforts in the city. This move follows the onset of wind-down operations at Stroock after partners voted in late October to dissolve the firm following several partner departures and unsuccessful merger talks with Nixon Peabody, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw & Pittman and others. The firm officially announced the dissolution with a “Warn Act” notice filed with the New York Labor Department on Nov. 1, forecasting the impending lay-off of 138 employees by Jan. 30, 2024.
Lavin has spent nearly four decades at Stroock specializing in labor and employment matters. He has been assisting clients with a wide range of local, state, and federal employment laws and related issues. Some of his important clients include Monarch Alternative Capital, Highline Management Inc., Financial Decisions, the New York Jockey Injury Compensation Fund, Axpo U.S. LLC, and the New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board.
Lavin’s first day at Thompson Coburn is scheduled for Nov. 8. According to Roman Wuller, firm chair of Thompson Coburn, the firm has been pursuing Lavin for some time and believes that “Howard is the keystone for expanding our labor and employment services on the East Coast.” The firm expanded its presence in New York in 2021 through the acquisition of Hahn & Hessen, a 44-lawyer firm.
Lavin expressed his excitement about joining Thompson Coburn during such a valuable period of growth in New York. Meanwhile, the firm looks forward to seeing expanded labor and employment services under Lavin’s leadership. Current litigation department leader Chris Hohn is set to take over as the firm’s chair in August 2024.