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Brian Balonick photo

Brian Balonick

Regional Managing Partner


Pittsburgh

t:412.822.6633

f:412.774.6101

Email

Service Focus

  • Labor Relations
  • Class and Collective Actions
  • Counseling and Advice
  • Employee Defection and Trade Secrets
  • Litigation and Trials

Industry Focus

  • Retail
  • Construction
  • Education
  • Energy
  • Healthcare
  • Manufacturing
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Overview
Credentials
Recognitions
Affiliations
Insights

Overview

Brian Balonick is Regional Managing Partner of the firm’s Pittsburgh office and Chair of the Retail Industry Team. He has two decades of experience representing management in all areas of labor and employment law, with a focus on labor relations.

Labor Relations. Among other matters, Brian represents employers in:

  • Collective bargaining
  • Labor-management relations
  • Union organizing activities
  • Labor arbitrations
  • Strikes and picketing
  • Labor contract administration
  • Plant closings
  • Labor issues arising from corporate transactions
  • Defending against unfair labor practice charges before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)

Counseling and Advice. Brian counsels management on all day-to-day issues affecting the employer-employee relationship, including hiring and firing decisions and trade secret and restrictive covenant issues surrounding the exiting and onboarding of employees. He works with clients to prevent litigation by developing labor, employment and wage/hour compliance programs and provides employers with on-site training programs on various workplace issues.

Litigation. When it becomes necessary, Brian represents clients in courts and administrative agencies throughout the country. His work touches all areas of labor and employment law, ranging from defending clients in federal and state discrimination claims in front of administrative agencies and courts to collective actions involving wage and hour issues. He has extensive experience litigating cases involving restrictive covenants and trade secrets. 

Brian is a frequent speaker and writer on labor and employment law matters throughout the country on topics such as preventative measures for positive employee relations, preparing for union organizing with a remote workforce, best practices for hiring and firing, and responding to workplace issues caused by COVID-19.

Credentials

Education

  • J.D., 2002, cum laude, Duquesne University School of Law
  • B.S., 1999, Pennsylvania State University

Bar Admissions

  • Pennsylvania

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania

Recognitions

  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (2014-2025)

Affiliations

Professional Activities

  • American Bar Association, Developing Labor Law Committee
  • Contributing Editor, The Developing Labor Law

Community Activities

  • Member, Board of Directors of Allies for Health + Wellbeing, Chair of Governance Committee

Insights

  • Videos

    03/06/25

    Manufacturing Success, Episode #11: Transitions at the National Labor Relations Board

    Brian Balonick, Michael D. Carrouth

    Read more 

  • Insights

    02/18/25

    Acting NLRB Counsel Rolls Back Many Biden-Era Labor Memos and Begins Process of Changing U.S. Labor Laws: What Employers Need to Know

    Brian Balonick, Michael D. Carrouth

    Read more 

  • Insights

    01/08/25

    Retail Workers Faced Record-High Fatalities in 2023, Spurred By Workplace Violence: 10 Steps You Can Take to Address Workplace Dangers

    Brian Balonick, J. Micah Dickie

    Read more 

  • Insights

    12/02/24

    The 7 Biggest Things Retailer Employers Need to Pay Attention to During the Busy Holiday Season

    Brian Balonick

    Read more 

  • Insights

    10/08/24

    NLRB Counsel Cracks Down On “Stay-or-Pay” Provisions and Non-Competes: 7 Steps Employers Should Consider in Response

    Brian Balonick, Jonathan Crook

    Read more 

  • Insights

    09/25/24

    New Pittsburgh Ordinance Protects Workers Using Medical Cannabis: 4 Steps Employers Can Take Now

    Brian Balonick, Emily E. Town

    Read more 

  • Event

    08/28/24

    Back to School - A Labor Bootcamp

    Brian Balonick, Raeann Burgo

    Read more 

  • Insights

    05/03/24

    Workplace Law Update: 12 Essential Items on Your May To-Do List

    Sheila M. Abron, Brian Balonick, Steven M. Bernstein, Risa B. Boerner, Raeann Burgo, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Melissa Camire, Michael D. Carrouth, Jessica D. Causgrove, J. Randall Coffey, Jonathan Crook, Leanne Lane Coyle, Alex G. Desrosiers, J. Micah Dickie, Benjamin M. Ebbink, Michael P. Elkon, Rick Grimaldi, Matthew Guerrero, Edward F. Harold, Usama Kahf, Braden Lawes, Aymara Ledezma, Emily N. Litzinger, Todd B. Logsdon, Todd A. Lyon, Richard R. Meneghello, Jacklin Rad, Deniz Uzel Reilly, Robin Repass, Jeffrey Shapiro, Christopher P. Stief, J. Hagood Tighe, Joshua D. Nadreau, Travis Vance, David J. Walton, Melanie L. Webber, Robert Yonowitz

    Read more 

  • Event

    04/30/24

    Labor Relations in a Time of Increasing Unionization: An Immersive Boot Camp Hosted by FP Cleveland

    Melanie L. Webber, David E. Schreiner, Jeffrey D. Smith, Rick Grimaldi, Raeann Burgo, Brian Balonick, Gary D. Baker, Jr.

    Read more 

  • Insights

    04/22/24

    Employers May Face More Liability for Unlawful Work Rules Under NLRB General Counsel’s New Memo: Key Points and What You Can Do to Prepare

    Brian Balonick, Steven M. Bernstein, Matthew Guerrero, Todd A. Lyon

    Read more 

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