Harold P. Coxson

Hal Coxson is a nationally recognized lawyer with over 35 years experience in all aspects of labor and employment law in Washington, DC. He is highly respected for his experience and expertise in government relations and as an advocate on behalf of business clients before Congress, the Executive Branch and independent federal regulatory agencies. He chairs the Firm’s Government Relations Practice Group and is a Principal in Ogletree Governmental Affairs, Inc., the Firm’s wholly-owned subsidiary.

Mr. Coxson concentrates on traditional labor law and international labor relations.  He has helped shape national labor policy through oral arguments and the filing of amicus curiae briefs on behalf of business clients in numerous landmark cases before the National Labor Relations Board and federal courts of appeals, including the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition, he has represented the U.S. Employer community before the International Labor Organization, and has defended clients in global corporate campaigns.

In his government relations practice, Mr. Coxson represents individual corporations and national trade associations, as well as business coalitions which he has been responsible for organizing on a variety of the most important workplace issues over the past quarter century. He has testified on behalf of business clients and as an expert witness before federal administrative agencies and both Houses of Congress. 

In addition, Hal has a close working relationship with many of the national trade associations in Washington. He is Executive Director of the First Tuesday Group, an informal organization of thirty-five national trade associations and professional organizations involved in workplace issues. He serves on the Boards and committees of many trade associations, including the Labor Relations Committee of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce where he co-chairs its International Perspectives Subcommittee.

Hal is a frequent speaker on labor and employment topics. He appears as a guest on radio and television talk shows and panels.  In addition, he has written several noteworthy publications on workplace law, including most recently “The National Labor Relations Board in the Obama Administration: What Changes to Expect” (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2009) which has become required reading in several law schools throughout the country. Currently, he is co-editor of “NLRB Insight,” published bi-monthly by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and is on the Board of Trustees of HR Advisor.

Hal has had numerous speeches and debates before LERA, the Council on Labor Law Equality, US LERN, the Mercer Oil Forum, the Association of Corporate Counsel, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, Society for Human Resource Management, Edison Electric Institute, Associated General Contractors of America, American Bakers Association, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, North American Transportation Employee Relations Association, National Association of Waterfront Employers, Retail Industry Leaders Association, Food Marketing Institute, National Retail Federation, the Business Roundtable, WCI, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, and Indiana Chamber of Commerce, as well as at meetings/conferences sponsored by the American Bar Association, National Labor Relations Board, and the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service. He speaks frequently at Ogletree Deakins Annual Workplace Strategies Seminars, Not Your Father’s NLRB, and various Ogletree Deakins Office Seminars across the country.

• J.D., American University Law School, 1972
• B.A., Franklin & Marshall College, 1969