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Richard B. Hankins

Partner

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

Education & Credentials

Education

  • University of Mississippi School of Law, J.D., 1985
  • Freed-Hardeman College, B.S., 1982

Bar and Court Admissions

  • 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

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 

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