Biography
John V. Jansonius has over 40 years experience in labor and employment law. He focuses his practice on: contract and compensation negotiations and disputes with corporate officers and managers; defense of employment discrimination claims and wrongful discharge claims; collective bargaining, representation cases, and unfair labor practice claims under the National Labor Relations Act; denial of benefits claims under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act; advising on and conducting internal investigations in hand with employers, boards of directors, audit committees, and compensation committees; and advising on employment and labor aspects of business transactions. He has represented clients in numerous jury and non-jury trials in state and federal court and has presented oral arguments to the U.S. Supreme Court and the federal circuit courts of appeals.
John is rare among labor and employment lawyers in having experience in the board room, at the bargaining table, and in the courtroom. His experience, and his current practice, ranges from counseling boards of directors of publicly traded companies to serving as counsel to company negotiating committees in collective bargaining with labor unions. Rounding out John’s practice is regular involvement as defense counsel in employment litigation and counseling management on executive and employee relations matters and compliance with federal and state labor and employment law.
John provides additional value to clients by partnering with employers, boards of directors, and compensation committees to develop and implement tailored compliance and ethics programs that reduce risk and ensure compliance in today’s increasingly regulatory climate. John also serves as a trusted adviser to these clients in the event that they find themselves conducting, or otherwise involved in, independent or internal investigations.
Few lawyers have been as long and steadily involved in the full array of labor and employment law as it has evolved over the past generation as John, and this gives him a unique ability to counsel and defend businesses in their legal relationships with executives, salaried and hourly paid employees, and labor unions.
Education
B.A., cum laude, Drake University
J.D., SMU Dedman School of Law
Bar Admissions
Texas, 1980
Minnesota, 1981
Oklahoma, 2014
Court Admissions
United States Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth, Eighth, and Tenth Circuits
United States District Court for the Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas
All courts in Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Texas
Board Certifications
Labor and Employment Law
John has served as lead counsel in countless employment litigation cases; counsel to management on executive compensation and employee relations aspects in a wide variety of business transactions; management counsel in collective bargaining, contract administration, and unfair labor practice defense in the labor relations context; and he routinely works with corporate counsel, executive management, and human resources to resolve specific employee relations issues and to develop programs and strategies to minimize risk.
Among John’s specific areas of expertise are:
- Defense of claims alleging unfair or discriminatory compensation practices
- Representation of management in union representation cases, unfair labor practice cases, and grievance arbitrations
- Counseling and representing corporations and other business entities in executive relations and the labor and employment aspects of mergers and acquisitions and other business transactions
- Arbitration and litigation defense of employment discrimination and wrongful discharge claims
- Chambers Global Guide, Ranked for Labor & Employment (USA), 2018-2022
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, 2002-2022
- Ranked for Employment: Mainly Defendant – Texas, 2002-2006
- Ranked for Labor & Employment – Texas, 2007-2022
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 1997-2023
- Lawyer of the Year – Dallas/Fort Worth, Labor Law – Management, 2014
- Lawyer of the Year – Dallas/Fort Worth, Employment Law – Management, 2012
- Lawyer of the Year – Dallas/Fort Worth, Labor and Employment Law, 2010
- Employment Law – Management, 2011-2023
- Labor Law – Management, 2011-2023
- Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers, 2020-2022
- Top 100: Texas Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2010-2011, 2013-2014, 2016
- Top 100: Dallas/Fort Worth Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2007-2017
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2003-2022
- Who’s Who Legal: Texas, Labor, Employment & Benefits, 2016, 2019
- “Best Lawyers in Dallas,” D Magazine, 2009, 2011-2015, 2017-2018
Publications
- “3 Dramatic Workplace Changes Amid A Global Disease Threat,” D Magazine (June 2020)
- “The Labor and Employment Horizon—2019,” Jackson Walker Insights (January 2019)
- “Supreme Court Okays Class Action Waivers in Employee Arbitration Agreements,” The Texas Lawbook (May 2018)
Speaking Engagements
- “The Evolving World of Union Organizing,” TexasBarCLE’s 31st Annual Advanced Employment Law Course (January 2023)
- “Labor Law Update,” 32nd Annual Labor and Employment Law Institute of the Labor & Employment Law Section of the State Bar of Texas (August 2022)
- “NLRB Update,” 31st Annual Labor and Employment Law Institute of the Labor & Employment Law Section of the State Bar of Texas (August 2021)
- “Recent Developments Under the National Labor Relations Act,” State Bar of Texas 29th Annual Advanced Employment Law Course (January 2021)
- “Wage-Hour 2020: U.S. Department of Labor and Private Enforcement of the FLSA,” UT Law CLE’s 27th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference (May 2020)
- “Class Action Employment Litigation: What’s Left and What’s New,” UT Law CLE’s 26th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference (May 2019)
- Co-Presenter, “2018 Employment and Labor Law Update: The Year of #MeToo,” Labor & Employment Law Symposium (October 2018)
- “Recent Updates to the Anti-SLAPP Law,” Dallas Bar Association Media Relations Committee (November 2018)
- “Flip-Flop at the Board: What’s Gone, What’s New, What’s Coming Under the NLRA,” UT Law CLE’s 25th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference (May 2018)
- “Recent Developments and A Look Ahead Under the National Labor Relations Act,” UT Law CLE’s 24th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference (June 2017)
- “Keeping Up With The Times Or Re-Writing History: The Pace and Scope of Change Under the National Labor Relations Act,” New Mexico Bar Association (October 2016)
- “Compensation Litigation and Regulation in Trucking: The Battle Between the States and the States, the Federal Government, and the Industry,” 29th Annual Conference of the North American Transportation Employee Relations Association (2016)
- State Bar of Texas
- Board of Directors, 2008-2011, 2014-2017
- Executive Committee, 2016-2017
- Named Outstanding Director, 2017
- Texas Access to Justice Commission, Commissioner, 2014-2017
- Legislative Policy Committee, Chair, 2015-Present
- Grievance Committee for District 6, Panel Chair, 2013-2014
- Client Security Fund, Chair, 2010-2011
- Labor & Employment Section, Chair, 2004-2005
- Texas Bar College, Since 1990
- Board of Directors, 2008-2011, 2014-2017
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Dallas Bar Association
- Judicial Committee, Co-Chair, 2014
- New Laws/Legislation Committee, Chair, 1995
- Dallas Bar Foundation, Fellow
- American Bar Association
- American Bar Foundation, Fellow
- American Employment Law Council (AELC), 2011-Present
- College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, Fellow, 2006-Present
- Employment Discrimination Law treatise, Editorial Board, 2013-Present
- General Counsel Forum – DFW Chapter, Board of Directors, 2001-2012
- Industrial Relations Research Association – North Texas Chapter, President, 1987
- North American Transportation Employee Relations Association, President, 2010
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Pattern Jury Charges for Employment Litigation, Advisory Committee, 2005-2008
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Oklahoma Bar Association
September 21, 2022
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its 64 “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2022
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
August 19, 2022
Speaking EngagementsJohn Jansonius and David Schlottman to Present at 32nd Annual Labor and Employment Law Institute
During the 32nd Annual Labor and Employment Law Institute, John Jansonius and David Schlottman will present the latest developments related to labor law and wage and hour matters. Held at JW Marriott Hill Country Resort in San Antonio on August 26-27, 2022, the conference is presented by the Labor & Employment Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.
August 18, 2022
NewslettersLabor & Employment Dispatch: August 2022
View the August 2022 edition of the Labor & Employment Dispatch.
August 18, 2022
Attorney News‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
August 12, 2022
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates 17 Attorneys Named to 2022 Lawdragon 500 Lists
Jackson Walker announces the selection of 17 attorneys to Lawdragon‘s lists of the 500 leading practitioners in bankruptcy and restructuring law and corporate employment law.
July 7, 2022
NewslettersLabor & Employment Dispatch: July 2022
View the July 2022 edition of the Labor & Employment Dispatch.
June 1, 2022
SpotlightChambers and Partners Recognizes Jackson Walker Attorneys and Practices in 2022 USA and Global Guides
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 48 attorneys and 16 departments for inclusion in the 2022 edition of the Global and USA guides.
November 16, 2021
Attorney News‘Lawdragon’ Lists 15 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among 500 Leading Lawyers in Environmental, Energy, and Employment Law
Jackson Walker announces the selection of 15 attorneys to Lawdragon‘s list of the 500 leading practitioners in environmental and energy law and corporate employment law.
September 22, 2021
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its 57 “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2021
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
September 3, 2021
NewslettersLabor & Employment Dispatch: September 2021
View the September 2021 edition of the Labor & Employment Dispatch.