Jim Frank solves employment challenges for hospitals and health care providers so that they can remain focused on caring for their patients and keeping their employees safe. Jim draws on 50 years of experience representing employers in litigation concerning all facets of the employment lifecycle. Hospitals across the state of New York, from the largest academic medical centers to county, suburban, and rural providers, rely on Jim to understand the unique employment issues that can arise in a health care setting. He defends their labor practices—from Family and Medical Leave Act to wage and hour and benefits disputes—in state and federal courts, arbitrations and mediations, and in administrative proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the New York State Division of Human Rights.
Jim facilitates outcomes to maintain positive workforce relationships in union and non-union settings. Drawing on his early career experience at the NLRB, he knows employment laws and regulations inside and out. Jim advises executives and HR teams on strategies that promote productivity within a compliant work environment. He leads the negotiation of dozens of collective bargaining agreements each year, often involving the state’s largest nursing unions, without strikes. Jim crafts policies, procedures, and affirmative action plans tailored to each organization that promote diversity and inclusion, avoid discrimination, and maintain appropriate staffing levels in crisis situations. Providers also seek his counsel on ERISA matters, particularly in drafting, negotiating, and defending their pension and health and welfare plans.