• Advised nationally known nonunion employer in the food industry on the acquisition of a unionized manufacturing facility, including the strategy on setting initial terms and conditions of employment, the hiring of the experienced workforce, and subsequent NLRB procedures; served as chief negotiator in negotiations for an initial collective bargaining agreement; and worked with the senior management team through the 14-month process. Subsequently, served as chief negotiator and labor counsel to the same employer and successfully negotiated a four-year labor agreement, avoiding a threat and strike and obtaining critical contract adjustments.



• Successfully advised and represented a nationally known retail company with locations in 22 states in a union organizing drive by the Teamsters at a distribution center; worked closely with senior executives and local management to defeat the organizing effort.



• Served as chief negotiator and labor counsel for a manufacturer in negotiations with United Auto Workers Local 376 and Region 9A. (Mr. Hirsch also served as chief negotiator for the company in 1998, 2001, 2004, and 2007.) After much hard work, the company achieved a five-year labor agreement with significant changes in the health care provisions. The company has been unionized for over 40 years and has always entered into three-year labor agreements. Persuading the union to enter into a five-year agreement was a historic event for Abbott Ball and brings stability in labor relations, which has significant customer relations benefits. The senior management team was very pleased.



• Served as chief negotiator on behalf of a manufacturing company in Connecticut during four consecutive contract negotiations to renew a labor agreement with the United Auto Workers in 1998, 2001, 2004, and 2007. The 2007 negotiations resulted in a five-year labor agreement, the first five-year contract in the 40-year history of bargaining at the company.



• Served as chief negotiator and labor counsel for a large dairy cooperative in negotiations with Teamsters Local 687 for a successor labor agreement. Mr. Hirsch had served as chief negotiator during the negotiations for the initial agreement, which took place from May 2003 through January 2004. Negotiations began in December 2006 and continued through June 2007, resulting in a four-year labor agreement, with significant changes sought by management. One key change was a reduced pension benefit, which the union resisted vigorously and which almost caused a strike. Because of careful negotiating and constructive dialogue with the union, we were able to achieve our goals and avoid a labor dispute.

• Member of the Editorial Board of Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin, published by LEXIS Publishing.



• Labor and Employment in Connecticut, published by LEXIS Publishing, assisted by Effie Aquila Patrick



• Labor and Employment in Massachusetts, published by LEXIS Publishing



• Labor and Employment in New Hampshire, coauthored with Andrea Johnstone, published by LEXIS Publishing



• Labor and Employment in Rhode Island, published by LEXIS Publishing


Additional Publications and Presentations

• J.D., Boston University School of Law
• B.S., Dean's List, Cornell University, School of Industrial and Labor Relations

In 2005, Mr. Hirsch was elected a Fellow in The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, which is a nonprofit professional association honoring the leading lawyers nationwide in the practice of labor and employment law. Membership to the College is by invitation only, reserved for those who have the highest level of character, integrity, professional expertise, and leadership. Mr. Hirsch, who is ranked by Chambers USA as one of the top labor and employment lawyers in Massachusetts, has lectured and written extensively on employment topics. His books include Labor and Employment in Massachusetts, Labor and Employment in Connecticut, Labor and Employment in New Hampshire, Labor and Employment in Rhode Island, and the Occupational Safety and Health Handbook, all published by LEXIS Law Publishing. His books are used by thousands of lawyers, human resources professionals, and managers. Since 2001, Mr. Hirsch has served on the editorial board for Bender's Labor and Employment Bulletin, a national publication covering the full scope of labor and employment law issues.

Mr. Hirsch received his B.S. from the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations and his J.D. from Boston University. He taught in Boston University's M.B.A. program and is a Fellow in the school's Human Resources Policy Institute.