News Archive

UNI Global Union 4th World Congress in Cape Town, South Africa (December 2014)

Jon attended the UNI Global Union 4th World Congress, or Indaba(Zulu for conference or business meeting), in Cape Town South Africa. UNI and its affiliates fight for the rights of service workers around the world, which is the fastest growing and most vulnerable workforce. UNI has negotiated global agreements with some of the largest multinational corporations that protect workers in dangerous industries. There, Jon and other UFCW delegates heard union leaders from around the world talk about global inequality and the need for workers to take back their economies. A highlight of the Indaba was a moving speech by Ahmed Kathrada, a defendant along with Nelson Mandela in the infamous Rivonia trial. Kathrada, Mandela and other defendants were convicted and sentenced to Robbin Island where they spent more than 20 years in prison until the fall of apartheid.

ABA 8th Annual Conference in Labor and Employment Law (November 2014)

Jon attended the American Bar Association’s Labor & Employment section. There he battled the intolerable LA traffic and heard speakers on a wide range of topics, including the intersection of the FMLA and ADA.

Jonathan D. Karmel was inducted in the 2014 Class of The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers (November 2014)

Jon attended The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers’ Nineteenth Annual Induction Ceremony

Jon attended the UNI Global Union 4th World Congress, or Indaba(Zulu for conference or business meeting), in Cape Town South Africa. UNI and its affiliates fight for the rights of service workers around the world, which is the fastest growing and most vulnerable workforce. UNI has negotiated global agreements with some of the largest multinational corporations that protect workers in dangerous industries. There, Jon and other UFCW delegates heard union leaders from around the world talk about global inequality and the need for workers to take back their economies. A highlight of the Indaba was a moving speech by Ahmed Kathrada, a defendant along with Nelson Mandela in the infamous Rivonia trial. Kathrada, Mandela and other defendants were convicted and sentenced to Robbin Island where they spent more than 20 years in prison until the fall of apartheid.

In Los Angeles, California where he was inducted in the 2014 Class. The College nationally recognizes lawyers practicing labor and employment law.

UFCW Canadian Attorneys Conference (October 2014)

Jon traveled to Toronto where he spoke at the UFCW Canadian Attorneys Conference on Right to Work laws in the U.S. While there, Jon developed a bad case of labor law envy for union lawyers practicing in Canada.

National Labor Relations Board issues decision in favor of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 700 (September 2014)

The NLRB has issued a decision approving the Beck notices used by UFCW Local 700. In United Food & Commercial Workers International Union, Local 700 and Laura Sands, Case 25-CB-008896, the Board held that Local 700 was not required to provide the Charging Party “with the reduced fees and dues applicable to nonmember objectors when it first advised her of her obligations under the union-security clause.” The decision can be found here.

UFCW Local 951 Stewards Conference (September 2014)

Jon and Alex attended the UFCW Local 951 Stewards Conference in Lansing, Michigan. The Firm developed a mock arbitration case file that they used to introduce Local 951 stewards to the arbitration process. Stewards had the opportunity to see some of what happens in an actual arbitration, discussed their opinions on the appropriate outcome, and learned about the requirements and costs of the arbitration process.

UFCW Attorneys Conference (September 2014)

Jon and Alex attended the UFCW Attorneys Conference in La Costa, California. Jon gave a presentation on right to shirk (aka “right to work”) laws and the challenges they pose for UFCW locals.

Jonathan D. Karmel was elected to the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers (July 2014)

The College began as a non-profit association honoring the leading lawyers representing unions, management and employees, and the most notable law professors and arbitrators in the field. Today, the College continues to recognize these individuals and to share and deliver its collective knowledge and expertise to its constituency groups. Jon will be formally inducted into the College in Los Angeles on November 8, 2014, during the American Bar Association’s Annual Labor and Employment Conference.

American Constitutional Society Convention in Washington, D.C. (June 2014)

Jon attended the ACS’s annual convention and attended a committee meeting with staff from the White House and Senator Leahy’s office on judicial vacancies and the nomination confirmation process for federal judges. Justice Sotomayor spoke at the gala dinner about her life growing up in a housing project in the Bronx, and her journey to the Supreme Court.

Kent College of Law in Chicago, IL (June 2014)

Jon was on a panel on the Affordable Care Act and Collective Bargaining at Kent Law School’s conference on “Hot Topics in Contemporary Labor Law.” Jon discussed issues facing negotiators on whether to provide coverage for part-time employees working less than 30 hours a week.

Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, GA (June 2014)

Alex spent a week at Emory University School of Law teaching Chinese judges, attorneys and law students about U.S. trial techniques. The students came to Emory as part of a partnership with the City University of Hong Kong.

Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, GA (May 2014)

Jon made his annual visit to the Emory University School of Law where he taught mostly 2-L’s at the Kessler-Edison Trial Techniques Program. This year’s case study and trial was a “fictionalized” version of Martha Stewart’s criminal case involving insider trading and obstruction of justice.

Illinois DREAM Fund in Chicago, IL (April 2014)

Alex attended a fundraising event for the Illinois DREAM Fund, which provides college scholarships for undocumented students. Governor Pat Quinn gave an excellent talk in support of the fund. With the help of UFCW Local 700 and UFCW Local 951, the Karmel Law Firm raised over $1,300 in support of the fund.

Loyola University Chicago School of Law in Chicago, IL (April 2014)

Alex served as a judge in the law school’s Trial Practice Class final mock trial.

LCC Attorneys Conference in San Francisco, CA (April 2014)

Jon attended the LCC Attorneys Conference.

San Jose, Costa Rica (March 2014)

Jon and Alex traveled to Costa Rica. Jon was invited to speak at the University of Costa Rica law school in San Jose. His topic was on the relationship between income inequality and the decline of union membership in the United States. Click here to read Jon’s paper. Jon and Alex were hosted by labor law faculty and met over lunch with members of the Costa Rica Bar Association labor and employment law committee. They also met with members of Costa Rica’s Assembly of Deputies.

Illinois Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation Conference in Rosemont, IL (November 2013)

Alex represented The Karmel Law Firm at this event held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

ABA 7th Annual Conference on Labor and Employment Law in New Orleans, LA (November 2013)

Jon attended the ABA’s Labor and Employment Law Conference. Apart from the good food, music and colleagues, Kent law professor Marty Malin spoke about the discouraging line of Supreme Court jurisprudence compelling arbitration of matters that were routinely brought in the federal courts.

UFCW Convention at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL (August 2013)

Jon and Alex attended the UFCW International Convention as guests. The UFCW elected its International Officers. Among the many speakers, Jon’s favorite speech was delivered by Congressman John Lewis, one of the great leaders of the civil rights movement.

Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, GA (May 2013)

Jon and Alex taught second year Emory law students in the Kessler-Eidson Program for Trial Techniques.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University in Shanghai, China (February 2013)

Jon spoke to Chinese judges, law professors and lawyers on labor and employment issues for Chinese companies doing business in the United States. He also spoke to the Shanghai Arbitration Commission on American-style labor arbitration.

While in China, Jon took the bullet train to Beijing and visited the Great Wall and Tiananmen Square during the National People’s Congress.