Aaron S. Markel

Aaron Markel represents employers in labor and employment matters with a focus on traditional labor issues arising under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and Railway Labor Act (RLA). He has served as lead negotiator for initial and successor collective bargaining agreements, advised employers in relation to union election and representation proceedings, responded to unfair labor practice charges, assisted in strike preparation, and has regularly represented employers in litigation related to their contractual and statutory rights.

Aaron devotes much of his practice to representing railroads, airlines, and airline service providers in matters under the RLA. He has secured federal court injunctions in response to strike threats, represented clients in jurisdictional and representation disputes before the National Labor Relations Board and National Mediation Board, and frequently defends transportation industry clients against state law wage and hour claims. Aaron also regularly represents clients in labor arbitration, including interest arbitration and in grievance arbitration concerning disputes over contract interpretation, discipline, and discharge. Aaron is a senior editor of The Railway Labor Act treatise published by Bloomberg Law.

In addition, Aaron has successfully defended companies against lawsuits and administrative charges under Title VII, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and in claims related to enforcing noncompetition agreements.

Prior to joining Jones Day, Aaron served as a law clerk on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.