Steven W. Suflas is a nationally recognized thought leader on labor and employment issues and the former Managing Partner of the firm's Denver and New Jersey offices.
On a national basis, he represents management in all phases of labor and employment matters — from counseling and strategic guidance to collective bargaining, appearances before regulatory agencies, and litigation before courts and administrative agencies. He works closely with employers — both large and small, national, regional, and local — in responding to the daily challenges of the workplace.
Experience
Representative Matters
- Serving as chief spokesman for management in numerous union negotiations
- Serving as lead trial counsel in federal and state court litigation involving the full range of employment issues, including age, gender, and race discrimination; sexual and workplace harassment; whistleblower claims; wrongful discharge; restrictive covenants; and labor injunctions
- Appearing for employers before the National Labor Relations Board in representation and unfair labor practice proceedings, hearings, and appeals
Noteworthy Decisions
- Kilian v. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, No. 2:21-cv-01740, 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11911, 2022 WL 198563 (E.D. Cal. Jan. 20, 2022)
- Medley v. Atl. Exposition Services, 550 F. Supp. 3d 170 (D.N.J. 2021)
- Home Buyers Warranty Corp. v. Gentry, No. 1:20-cv-00395, 2020 U.S. Dist. Lexis 189058, 2020 WL 6044303 (D. Colo. Oct. 13, 2020)
- Rose Group v. N.L.R.B, 2018 U.S. App. LEXIS 19822 (3d Cir. 2018), rev'ing 363 NLRB No. 75 (2015)
- New Jersey Division of State Police v. STFA, 2018 N.J. Super. Unpub. LEXIS 153 (App. Div., Jan. 24, 2018)
- New Jersey Division of State Police v. New Jersey State Trooper Captains Association, 441 N.J. Super. 55, 116 A. 3d 63 (App. Div. June 8, 2015)
Professional Highlights
Professional Activities
New Jersey State Bar Association, Trustee, 2011-2015
New Jersey State Bar Association, Labor & Employment Law Section, Chair, 1999-2001
New Jersey Supreme Court, Advisory Committee on Professional Ethics, 2004-2015
New Jersey Supreme Court, Ad Hoc Committee on Continuing Legal Education, 2007-2009
The National Employment Law Institute (NELI), National Advisory Board, 2009-present
Recognition & Accomplishments
Benchmark Litigation, "Labor & Employment Star," Labor and Employment, 2020
New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education's 2019 Distinguished Service Award
2019 Lexology Client Choice Award, for employment and benefits law in Colorado, in recognizing law firm partners worldwide who provide excellent client care and quality of service
Speaking Engagements
American Resort Development Association
"Twitter Alert: Trump and Timeshare," ARDA World 2018 Annual Convention, Las Vegas, NV., May 8, 2018
National Labor Relations Board
"Critical NLRB Developments," Webinar, April 11, 2018
Board Memberships & Community Service
"Critical NLRB Developments," Webinar, April 11, 2018
Publications
Chapter Author, "Survey of Colorado Employment Libel Law," chapter in 50-State Survey: Employment Liable & Privacy Law, Media Law Resource Center
Co-author, "Marijuana in the Workplace," Colorado Bar Association, Business Law Section Newsletter, August 30, 2019
"Service and Support Animals: What Colorado Businesses Need to Know," ColoradoBiz Magazine, May 9, 2017
Credentials
Education
University of North Carolina School of Law (J.D. 1976, with honors)
Member, North Carolina Law Review; Member, Order of the Coif
Davidson College (B.A. 1973)
Admissions
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Colorado
Utah
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit