Thomas E. Green
Tom spends most of his professional time helping employers stay compliant and out of trouble. Years as a blue-collar worker prior to attending law school gives Tom a unique perspective on employee relations and other workplace law advice. Tom is grateful to have the opportunity to counsel his clients in areas such as disability accommodation, family and medical leave management, wage/hour compliance, and many others. When conditions necessitate reducing or restructuring a business’s workforce, Tom is experienced in mitigating the risks associated with these decisions. Tom has vast experience in representation of large, multi-state employers, and the challenges that accompany running a business with employees spread over many jurisdictions.
Employers often call upon Tom to train management, human resources professionals, or in some cases, the entire workforce, relating to employment law topics. Harassment and workplace conduct, disability accommodation compliance, and leave management are just a few of the subjects where Tom is an experienced trainer.
For the private and public sector unionized employers with which Tom works, he provides guidance in labor relations, grievance administration, arbitration, and collective bargaining agreement negotiations. In addition, Tom has appeared before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), and the Ohio State Employment Relations Board (SERB), both in representation and unfair labor practice matters, many times.
When employee claims are filed, Tom provides representation in state and federal courts throughout the Midwest and beyond. Tom has also prosecuted and defended numerous trade secrets and restrictive covenant matters. In addition, Tom has defended hundreds of administrative claims filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC), and many other government agencies.
Many years ago, Tom completed a peer review and examination process in order to be certified by the Ohio State Bar Association as a Specialist in Labor and Employment Law. He is one of fewer than 125 lawyers in Ohio who hold this designation. Since becoming a specialist, Tom has fulfilled additional continuing legal education requirements in order to maintain this status.
Other Personal Background Information and Interests
Tom’s spouse, Manju Gupta, is also an attorney. The couple met in law school and reside in Cleveland Heights. They enjoy the nearby Cuyahoga Valley National Park, travel, wine, craft cocktails, dining, cooking, movies, and a little golf. In addition, Tom spends time playing tennis and wondering if this could possibly be the year for the Cleveland Browns.
Education
- Youngstown State University, B.S., Education, 1993
- Cleveland State University College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2002
Bar Admissions
- Supreme Court of Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
Professional Activities and Recognition
- Cleveland State University College of Law Hall of Fame inductee, 2023
- Crain’s Cleveland Business “Notable Leaders in Employment and Labor Law”, 2023
- Rated by Best Lawyers, 2024
- Certified as a Specialist in Labor and Employment Law by the Ohio State Bar Association
- Member, Ohio State Bar Association and its Labor and Employment Law Section
- Member, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and its Labor and Employment Law Section
Publications and Presentations
- 10 Ways To Be More Inclusive (And Lawful) In Your Hiring And Retention Strategies, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal, May 2023
- Compliance and Employee Relations Tips for Small Businesses, Master Classes for Small Business Owners, Cuyahoga Community College / Huntington Bank Entrepreneur-in Residence Initiative, September 2022, April 2023, May 2023, September 2023
- Harassment in Chambers: What You Need to Know, National College of Probate Judges, Spring 2022 Journal
- Employment Law Update, Portage County SHRM, May 2022, April 2023
- Interactive Case Studies: Maintaining a Professional Workplace, Wayne County SHRM, November 2021
- Emerging Mental Health Issues in the Workplace Panel, Portage County SHRM, September 2020
- COVID 19 Panel, Subcontractors Association of Northeast Ohio, Spring 2020
- Money-Saving Strategies for Workers’ Compensation & Other Employee Medical Issues, Subcontractors Association of Northeast Ohio, March 2018
- Legal Update Transgender & Workplace Issues, Portage County SHRM, April 2017
- Commencement Address, McDonald (Ohio) High School, May 2016
- How to Avoid Harassment and Discrimination Liability for Managers, Subcontractors Association of Northeast Ohio, January 2016
- Ohio Human Resources Manual, American Chamber of Commerce Resources, 2015-2023
- Avoiding Pitfalls on the Voyage to a Favorable Determination: Don’t Let Sympathy Lead to Liability When Completing Unemployment Compensation Questionnaires, KWW Annual Client Seminar, November 2015
Civic/Charitable Activities and Associations
- Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park:
- Chair, Board of Directors/Executive Committee, 2014-2016
- Board of Directors, 2010-2017, 2023-Present
- Executive Committee, 2012-2017
- Various Other Committees, 2007-Present
- Fairlawn Area Chamber of Commerce:
- Past President, 2015-2016
- President, 2014-2015
- Board of Directors, 2011-2016, 2018-2020
- Leadership Akron:
- Class 28, 2011-2012
- Parks and Environment Program Committee, 2013-2018
- Alumni Association, 2012-Present
- Cleveland State University College of Law:
- Board of Visitors (formerly Visiting Committee), 2011-Present
- Career Planning Work Group, 2017-Present
- 1L Student Mentor, 2018-Present
- Dean’s Leadership Fellow Coach, 2022-Present