Howard J. Rubin

Howard Rubin, a partner in both the Litigation + Dispute Resolution and Labor + Employment Practice Groups, advises employers and employees on workplace issues, and resolves high-stakes breach of contract and other business disputes. He has litigated numerous employment cases involving discrimination and restrictive covenants, as well as First Amendment, defamation, and trademark and copyright infringement cases. His clients include leading marketing communications and financial services companies, and businesses in a wide variety of other industries.

In the labor and employment realm, Howard counsels employers on workplace issues, represents them in litigation, and negotiates employment agreements and exit packages for senior executives. His litigation experience includes representing clients in state and federal court single-plaintiff cases, multiparty disputes and class actions, and crafting amicus briefs that give clients a voice in matters before the Supreme Court of the United States. He has represented a global investment bank in a multibillion-dollar antitrust bid-rigging class action case, successfully defended a well-known advertising agency sued in a class action for sex discrimination, and obtained victories in cases that are the subject of three books. He has also achieved favorable results through FINRA and AAA arbitrations.

Whether at trial, on appeal or at the negotiating table, Howard gets to the heart of the issues, determines the key drivers and evaluates the risks. Then he offers practical solutions based on the facts, circumstances and the parties’ ultimate goals, often avoiding the need for litigation. Pragmatic and proactive, he strategizes with his clients, identifies risks and limits their liability exposure, whenever possible. In each instance, Howard focuses on problem solving, using litigation as a tool to resolve disputes, not as an end in itself.

Regarded as a leader in his field, Howard brings deep insight into the evolution of many of the most significant laws and regulations impacting businesses, from sexual harassment and discrimination laws to the Civil Rights statutes and their application. His extensive knowledge and experience in litigating many complex and precedent-setting cases prove invaluable when counseling clients, and in determining whether and how a case should be tried.

Before joining the firm, Howard taught employment law and served as co-director of Columbia Law School’s Employment Rights Project from 1974 through 1978. He is the co-author of three treatises on employment discrimination and counseling.