Brian J. Clark
Brian frequently represents clients in federal and state courts, in a wide variety of labor, employment discrimination, wrongful discharge, Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and non-competition litigation. Brian has litigated a significant number of complex cases through trial and has a strong background in administrative proceedings before boards and commissions, such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, U.S. Department of Labor, the N.Y.S. Division of Human Rights, the N.Y.C. Commission on Human Rights, the N.Y.S. Department of Labor, and various other state and local government agencies.
Brian also has broad and extensive experience in labor relations. He serves as chief negotiator for a wide variety of clients in both the private and public sectors. He has successfully represented clients in hundreds of arbitrations. He also frequently represents clients before the National Labor Relations Board, the N.Y.S. Public Employment Relations Board, and other federal and local agencies involved in labor relations matters.
Brian also regularly counsels clients on preventing and resolving workplace disputes, compliance with the variety of laws governing the workplace, and the labor and employment aspects of mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions.
Brian represents a diverse range of clients, including Fortune 500 companies, various private companies across multiple industries, state and federal government entities, nonprofits, public and private healthcare organizations, educational institutions, and public-private partnerships (PPP).
Brian came to Venable from a New York City boutique firm that devoted its practice to representing management in all aspects of labor and employment law. He began his career with the U.S. Solicitor of Labor in Washington, DC.
Related Practices
- Labor and Employment
- Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation
- Employee Mobility and Trade Secrets
- Litigation
- Class Action Defense
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Public-Private Partnerships
- Legislative and Government Affairs
- Tax-Exempt Organizations
- Healthcare: Labor and Employment Law
- Entertainment Industry Litigation
Experience
Government Experience
- Solicitor of Labor, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington DC
Insights
Credentials
Education
- J.D. Fordham University School of Law 1984
- B.A. Manhattan College 1980
- University of Aberdeen, Scotland 1979
Bar Admissions
- New York
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Professional Memberships and Activities
- Member, American Bar Association, Labor & Employment Law, Litigation Section
- Member, New York State Bar Association, Labor & Employment Law Section
- Member, New York City Bar Association
- Member, Fordham Law School Alumni Association
- Member, Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in the City of New York
- Member, Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in the County of Westchester
Recognition
- Super Lawyers, Employment and Labor, New York Metro, 2013 – 2023
- The Best Lawyers in America, 2024 – 2025
Community
Pro Bono
- General counsel and secretary, Sammon-BUILD Center HDFC – a transitional housing shelter for single mothers in the Bronx
Volunteerism
- Board member, CJ Foundation for SIDS, a national nonprofit devoted to eliminating the tragedy of sudden, unexpected infant deaths and early childhood deaths
- Trustee, Mount St. Michael Academy, the Bronx, New York – an all-boys Marist high school and middle school that offers students subsidized tuition and financial sponsorship
- Co-founder and board member, Pelham Community Rowing Association – a nonprofit organization devoted to making rowing available to the public; has built and continues to operate a boathouse in Glen Island Park, Westchester County
Personal Activities
- Member, New York Athletic Club