Ronald Novotny
Ronald Novotny has been representing employers in labor and employment matters in federal and state courts and administrative agencies in California since 1981. He has extensive experience involving union and employer unfair labor practices, collective bargaining negotiations, arbitrations under union contracts, and wrongful discharge and discrimination claims. Mr. Novotny also has experience in defending wage and hour law and class action claims, and routinely advises employers on compliance with state and federal disability discrimination, workplace harassment, and employee leave laws.
EDUCATION
J.D., University of California, Hastings College of the Law
B.A., University of California, Berkeley
ADMISSIONS
- 1981, California
Supreme Court of California
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Courts, Central, Eastern, Northern, and Southern Districts of California
U.S. Supreme Court
Honors & Recognitions
- AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Representative Cases
- Prevailed in arbitration for construction industry employer on claims alleging employee assault and unpaid travel time
- Obtained summary judgment for railroad on disability discrimination and safety retaliation claims
- Negotiated successive collective bargaining agreements for aerospace company with auto workers’ union
- Defeated class action claims by compelling arbitration on an individual basis
Reported Cases
- Inter-Modal Rail Employees Ass’n v. Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Ry. Co. (1999) 73 Cal.App.4th 918
- Truly Nolen of America v. Superior Court (2012) 208 Cal.App.4th 487
- Alamillo v. BNSF Railway, 869 F.3d 916 (9th Cir. 2017)
Practice Areas
Events & Speaking Engagements
Mr. Novotny speaks in front of numerous associations and educational institutions, such as the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel, the University of Southern California School Of Business, and the Center for International Legal Studies. He is also an annual speaker at AALRR’s Employment Law Conference, where he has addressed the implementation of arbitration agreements and workplace harassment investigations.
Alerts & Articles
Publications
Mr. Novotny has published numerous articles on a variety of subjects, including preemption of state claims by the Federal Arbitration Act, for the AAA Dispute Resolution Journal, the California Labor & Employment Law Review, the Daily Journal, and many other magazines and periodicals. In addition, Mr. Novotny is an active contributor to the firm’s various newsletters and publications.
Blog Posts
UC Law SF
Class of 1981