STEPHEN J. MACRI is the chair of the firm's labor and employment group and serves on the firm's executive committee. He concentrates his practice in the representation of management in all aspects of labor relations, employment law and related litigation. Mr. Macri emphasizes close and regular contact with his clients in order to develop strategic plans and training programs that will avoid litigation or, if unavoidable, will maximize the client's prospects for successful resolution. In addition to daily counseling on employee relations issues, he appears on behalf of management throughout the nation before courts, arbitration tribunals and administrative agencies. He also serves frequently as chief spokesperson for management during labor negotiations. Mr. Macri represents private employers in virtually all industries including news media and information services, financial services and manufacturing, as well as numerous not-for-profit healthcare employers, social service providers and foster care agencies. He counsels employers on the full range of human resource concerns including: employment discrimination and sexual harassment; collective bargaining and labor matters involving unions; merger and corporate restructuring; personnel policy development and administration; independent contractor and employment agreements; wage and hour compliance; and occupational safety and health. He also lectures and develops training courses for his clients on these areas of the law. Mr. Macri received his law degree from Cornell University where he served as Chancellor of the Moot Court Board. Lafayette College awarded his bachelor's degree magna cum laude and elected him to Phi Beta Kappa. Mr. Macri is licensed to practice law in New York and New Jersey. He is admitted to the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the Third Circuit, and various United States District Courts, including those for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.