Richard B. Hankins
With 30 years of experience that translates seamlessly from the manufacturing plant to the boardroom, Richard advises clients on high-profile labor relations matters.
Richard Hankins counsels global and domestic management teams on labor relations strategies related to acquisitions and divestitures, new facilities, plant closings, and consolidations. He works extensively in large-scale union organizing and decertification campaigns, strikes and secondary boycotts, union jurisdictional disputes, and successor employer claims.
He was lead counsel in one of the largest successful decertification campaigns in the United States and has argued labor cases before U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal as well as appeared before more than 15 regions of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
Automotive, aerospace, and other major national companies turn to Richard for his guidance in their critical labor issues involving petitions to form unions, unfair labor practice charges, and collective bargaining agreements. He represented Boeing on labor issues related to building its assembly line for the 787 Dreamliner aircraft in Charleston, South Carolina. He also successfully represented a major automotive manufacturer in an NLRB matter involving over 3,500 assembly workers.
Richard is a contributing editor to the Bloomberg BNA’s The Developing Labor Law.
*Admitted only in Georgia
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- University of Mississippi School of Law, J.D., 1985
- Freed-Hardeman College, B.S., 1982
Bar and Court Admissions
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Georgia
Related Employment
- McGuireWoods, LLP, 1999-2002, 2015-2019
- McKenna, Long & Aldridge, LLP, 2008-2015
- Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, LLP, 2002-2008
- Mack & McLain, LLP, 1996-1999
- Kilpatrick & Cody, LLP, 1989-1996
- Elarbee, Thompson & Trapnell LLP, 1985-1989
Professional Recognition
Listed in Chambers USA as "America's Leading Lawyer" for Employment, 2020-2024
Listed in Best Lawyers in America, Litigation - Labor & Employment, 2014-2024
Ranked as a Georgia Leading Lawyer in Labor & Employment by Chambers USA, 2007-2019
Named Georgia Super Lawyer, Litigation - Labor & Employment, 2007, 2009, 2011-2018
Recognized in Legal 500 US as a Leading Lawyer, Labor Management Relations, 2013-2014
Listed in Who’s Who in Employment Law, Corporate Responsibility Magazine, 2014
Impact
Professional Leadership
- Atlanta Bar Association, Member
Insights
News
Professional Experience
Experience
Aerospace
Successfully represented an American multinational aviation corporation before the National Labor Relations Board regarding a union’s effort to organize a micro-unit.*
*Prior firm experience