Jeffrey A. Stankunas

Always calm in the eye of any legal storm, Jeff Stankunas heads Isaac Wiles’ Labor and Employment Law services. With a career marked by an impressive track record of success, Jeff is the go-to legal professional for individuals, public officials, and local governments alike.

Jeff’s remarkable guidance has steered clients towards victories at every level of the legal arena. His impressive advocacy has left its mark in federal courts across Ohio and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, as well as numerous trial and appellate state courts. His legal prowess extends to the highest echelons of the profession, as he is a member of the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States of America.

Beyond his courtroom triumphs, Jeff boasts extensive experience representing business clients before various administrative agencies. From the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to the National Labor Relations Board, the Ohio Civil Rights Commission to the State Employee Relations Board, his comprehensive approach ensures clients are equipped to navigate complex employment and labor matters.

Jeff’s dedication to his craft was honed during his tenure as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Ohio, where he practiced in the Employment Law Section. His legal education includes a Juris Doctor degree from The Ohio State University, earned in 2000, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bowling Green State University, cum laude, in 1997. Recognized for his excellence, Jeff has earned accolades such as Ohio Super Lawyers from 2017-2026 and Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars from 2010 to 2015.

A stalwart in the legal community, Jeff is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Columbus Bar Association. Beyond his professional commitments, he’s also deeply engaged in community activities, demonstrating a commitment to making a positive impact. Whether as a Knight of Columbus, past Treasurer of the Granville Town & Country Club, or as a volunteer at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Center, Jeff’s dedication extends beyond the courtroom.

Jeffrey A. Stankunas brings a rare combination of legal expertise, unwavering commitment, and a proven track record that clients can rely on when navigating labor and employment challenges. His results-oriented approach makes him an invaluable asset to those seeking effective and reliable legal counsel.

Articles & Presentations

Articles
• Are Ohio employers next when it comes to DEI prohibitions?, May 6, 2025
•FLSA Rule Change: Provides New Test for Employee vs. Independent Contractor Status, April 19, 2024
•Proposed Overtime Rules Could Mean Higher Salaries for Ohio’s Exempt Employees, January 5, 2024
•FMLA Celebrates a Big Anniversary Amid Calls to Expand the Hallmark Legislation, May 9, 2023
•Private US colleges need to prepare for more student unionisation, October 23, 2022
•Minding do’s and don’ts can make or break company’s case in Starbucks union effort, June 24, 2022
•How the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision in Janus v. AFSCME Affects Public Employers, July 9, 2018
•Asking About a Prospective Employee’s Criminal Past? Think Twice During Application Process - Ohio Restaurant Association, February 18, 2017
•IW win establishes guidelines for governments to use to keep their volunteers from claiming they are employees, November 24, 2014
•“New Protections for Working Moms Require Quick Action by Employers,” Columbus Business First, August 18, 2023
•“DOL’s Proposed Form Revision Could Have Chilling Effect on Contractors,” Jeffrey Stankunas Quoted, Society for Human Resource Management (“SHRM”), September, 2022
•Ohio’s Opioid Epidemic: Taking Action in the Workplace, Columbus Chamber of Commerce and Ohio Opioid Education Alliance, 2020'
•County Layoff Guidelines, CORSA, February 2, 2009
•Is There A Public Policy Tort For Your New Wrongful Discharge Claim?” OSBA,loyment Section Newsletter, Volume 13, Number 1, Winter 2003
Presentations
•“Employment Law Updates for Public Lawyers,”DRI’s 2026 Civil Rights & Governmental Tort Liability Seminar, February 19, 2026
•“Labor and Employment Issues and Updates Applicable to Lake Communities,”OLCA Spring Meeting, April 9, 2025
•“Employment Law Update,”Licking County Chamber of Commerce, March 20, 2025
•“Employment Law Session for the Administrative Judge Fundamentals,” Supreme Court of Ohio Judicial College, February 23, 2024
•“Leave under the ADA, Pregnancy Workers Fairness Act (“PWFA”), and FMLA,” Webinar Co-Presenter, HRACO, August 30, 2023
•“What Administrative Judges Need to Know About Employment Law,” Ohio Supreme Court of Ohio Judicial College, January 27, 2023
•COVID-19 Legal Update For Employers, ORA Legal Center Live, March 9, 2022
•HR & Collective Bargaining, CCAO/CEAO Winter Conference, December 2021
•“Federal COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate,” GBQ Restaurant MasterClass, October 13, 2021
•“HR & How Not To Get Sued (or at least not sued successfully),” CCAO New Commissioner Training, August 20, 2021
•“Understanding and Preventing Harassment in the Workplace,” Knox County JFS, April 15, 2021
•“Open Meetings During A Global Pandemic,” CLCCA, July 17, 2020
•“Update to Employment Implications and Options,” CCAO, April 3, 2020.
•“Administrative Judges Fundamentals,” Supreme Court of Ohio Judicial College, February 20, 2020.
•Sunshine Lawsuit - “The Gang of Five” (dangers of using cell phones for public work), CLCCA Spring Meeting, April 12, 2019
•CORSA HR Hotline: What Issues are Trending, County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO), June 2017
•Human Resources Hot Topics, Express Idea Exchange Workshop, 2016 CCAO/CEAO Annual Winter Conference and Trade Show, December 2016
•Current HR Issues, CCAO/CEAO Winter Conference, December 2015
•Reasonable Accommodations Under the ADA, County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO), November 2015
•FMLA Update, County Loss Control Coordinators Association of Ohio (CLCCAO) Fall Meeting, 2014
•Ebola-How it may Impact your Workplace, Chamber Event B.E.D. and Breakfast, Delaware Area Chamber of Commerce, November 2014

Honors

•Columbus CEO Top Lawyers, 2022-2023, 2025
•Columbus CEO, Best Lawyers 2022, Employment Law
•The Best Lawyers in America, 2018-2026, 2026
•Ohio Super Lawyers, 2017-2026, 2023
•Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2010-2015