Bryan M.O'Keefe
Partner
Labor & Employment
bokeefe@seyfarth.com
Bryan co-leads the firm’s Transactional Risk Insurance group, and has developed a unique practice area combining corporate transactional matters, reps and warranties insurance, and traditional labor law.
More About Bryan
Bryan is the co-creator and co-leader of Seyfarth’s interdisciplinary Transactional Risk Insurance group. Operating as a model of cross-departmental entrepreneurship, the Transactional Risk Insurance group has quickly become one of the industry’s leading underwriting counsel practices. Bryan and his team of over 60 Seyfarth attorneys worldwide advise RWI markets on all aspects of a deal, including advising at the pre-bid stage, crafting deal-specific and highly tailored underwriting call agendas, leading underwriting calls, running the underwriting process, preparing narrowly tailored exclusions, identifying key legal risks, and assisting with policy drafting. The Seyfarth team’s experience extends beyond traditional reps deals, and has grown to encompass real estate and REIT transactions, tax insurance, and contingent risk. Further, leveraging the firm’s long history of success in the capital market space, the Seyfarth team is the RWI market leader in secondary transactions. The Transactional Risk Insurance group also serves as coverage counsel on claims emanating from RWI policies. Bryan frequently appears in the media commenting on transactional risk insurance matters and is widely recognized as one of the thought leaders in the industry.
In addition to his practice representing insurers, Bryan also represents companies in buy-side and sell-side due diligence and bankruptcy matters. Bryan has been responsible for due diligence on more than 1,500 deals, with a particular emphasis on private equity transactions.
Given his strong familiarity with private equity investments, Bryan is frequently called upon after a transaction to be the “outside general counsel” for growth stage portfolio companies that lack in-house legal capabilities. In this role, Bryan serves as a “quarterback” for his clients and coordinates strategic legal matters across a wide variety of issues including litigation, labor and employment, employee benefits, trade secrets and restrictive covenants, IP, real estate, and environmental matters. Through the Seyfarth platform and Bryan’s collaboration and partnership with deal counsel, Bryan ensures that portfolio companies receive legal advice and counsel that enhances the long-term value of the company. Bryan relishes working closely with these companies and helping them take their business to the next level.
In addition to these practices, Bryan frequently represents employers in all aspects of traditional labor law, most notably in the hospitality industry. Bryan defends employers in grievance and arbitration matters, NLRB unfair labor practice charges and administrative law judge trials, NLRB appellate matters, union organizing and representational elections, collective bargaining, strikes, pickets, corporate campaigns, and union-related bankruptcy implications. Bryan was the management co-chair for Region V of the American Bar Association’s Committee on Practice and Procedure under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). In addition, Bryan has been a contributing editor to The Developing Labor Law and How to Take a Case Before the NLRB. Since 2019, he has been recognized in Chambers USA as a Leading Lawyer for Labor & Employment and is the youngest attorney in the Washington, DC market to achieve this honor. He has also been recognized in the Legal 500 for labor-management relations.
Bryan graduated summa cum laude from the Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law and graduated summa cum laude from George Washington University, with a BA in Political Communications. While in law school, Bryan was the editor-in-chief of the Penn State Law Review. Prior to receiving his law degree, Bryan was a public policy consultant on labor, employment, and higher education in Washington, DC for several think tanks and trade associations, working with organizations such as the US Chamber of Commerce and HR Policy Association.
In addition to his practice representing insurers, Bryan also represents companies in buy-side and sell-side due diligence and bankruptcy matters. Bryan has been responsible for due diligence on more than 1,500 deals, with a particular emphasis on private equity transactions.
Given his strong familiarity with private equity investments, Bryan is frequently called upon after a transaction to be the “outside general counsel” for growth stage portfolio companies that lack in-house legal capabilities. In this role, Bryan serves as a “quarterback” for his clients and coordinates strategic legal matters across a wide variety of issues including litigation, labor and employment, employee benefits, trade secrets and restrictive covenants, IP, real estate, and environmental matters. Through the Seyfarth platform and Bryan’s collaboration and partnership with deal counsel, Bryan ensures that portfolio companies receive legal advice and counsel that enhances the long-term value of the company. Bryan relishes working closely with these companies and helping them take their business to the next level.
In addition to these practices, Bryan frequently represents employers in all aspects of traditional labor law, most notably in the hospitality industry. Bryan defends employers in grievance and arbitration matters, NLRB unfair labor practice charges and administrative law judge trials, NLRB appellate matters, union organizing and representational elections, collective bargaining, strikes, pickets, corporate campaigns, and union-related bankruptcy implications. Bryan was the management co-chair for Region V of the American Bar Association’s Committee on Practice and Procedure under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). In addition, Bryan has been a contributing editor to The Developing Labor Law and How to Take a Case Before the NLRB. Since 2019, he has been recognized in Chambers USA as a Leading Lawyer for Labor & Employment and is the youngest attorney in the Washington, DC market to achieve this honor. He has also been recognized in the Legal 500 for labor-management relations.
Bryan graduated summa cum laude from the Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law and graduated summa cum laude from George Washington University, with a BA in Political Communications. While in law school, Bryan was the editor-in-chief of the Penn State Law Review. Prior to receiving his law degree, Bryan was a public policy consultant on labor, employment, and higher education in Washington, DC for several think tanks and trade associations, working with organizations such as the US Chamber of Commerce and HR Policy Association.
- JD, Dickinson School of Law, The Pennsylvania State University
Summa cum laude
Penn State Law Review, editor-in-chief
Woolsack Honor Society - BA, The George Washington University
Political CommunicationsSumma cum laude
Departmental honors
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
Related Services
- Employment
- Employment Litigation
- Independent Worker Strategies
- Labor Management Relations
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Post-Pandemic Recovery & Renewal
- Reductions in Force & Business Restructuring
- Wage Hour Private Equity Due Diligence
- Wage Hour Audit, Assessment & Advice
- Transactional Risk Insurance
- Trial
Related Key Industries
- Represented North American transactional risk insurers on more than 1,000 deals involving the successful placement of representations and warranties insurance.
- Represented prominent national hospitality chain in grievance proceeding over the implementation of management changes related to COVID-19. In a significant decision, a neutral arbitrator found that the hotel operated in accordance with the contract and the law.
- Represented regional hospitality industry association and its members in collective bargaining negotiations with local union.
- Represented global private equity firm in significant arbitration proceeding concerning impact of corporate transaction on union collective bargaining agreement.
- Advised a prominent regional transportation company in its sale to a global private equity firm with respect to numerous union-related matters that occurred during the sale process.
- Advised a New York City-based unionized health care nonprofit organization on its spinoff from a large for-profit unionized New York hospital chain.
- Represented a bankrupt company and its owner, faced with investigations from both the National Labor Relations Board and the Department of Labor concerning its closure and the administration of a self-funded health care plan. The NLRB charges were settled on favorable terms to the company and the Department of Labor did not pursue charges against the company or the owner.
- Represented prominent nursing home chain in NLRB and appellate proceedings challenging the authority of Regional Directors to conduct representation elections without a full board quorum.
- Represented a major multinational confectionery company in a series of grievance and arbitration cases.
- Represented dozens of companies in NLRB elections and union organizing campaigns with successful execution of strategic labor relations plan.
Related Trends
Related News & Insights
-
Podcast
Sep 16, 2024
Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 35: RWI Claims: Everything You Want to Know
-
Podcast
Jul 29, 2024
Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 34: New Opportunities in Contingent Risk
-
Speaking Engagement
Jul 22, 2024
Bryan O'Keefe to Co-Present ALI CLE Webinar – "Representations and Warranties Insurance: Common Pitfalls and Best Practices"
-
Recognition
06/12/2024
Seyfarth Earns Top Tier Rankings Again in The Legal 500
- Recognized as a Next Generation Lawyer in Labor and employment - Labor-management relations by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2021-2024)
- Recognized for Labor & Employment (District of Columbia) by Chambers USA (2023-2024)
- Recognized as a Top 10 Influential Labor & Employment Lawyers in DC by Business Today (2023)
- Recognized as an Up-and Coming lawyer in Labor & Employment (District of Columbia) by Chambers USA (2020-2022)
- Recommended Attorney for Labor and employment - Labor - Management Relations by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2020-2021)
- American Bar Association Committee on Practice and Procedure under the National Labor Relations Act, Management Region V former co-chair
- American Bar Association Committee on the Development of the Law under the National Labor Relations Act
- Practising Law Institute, Acquiring or Selling the Privately Held Company Labor and Employment faculty member
- Co-Author, "5 Buyers' Counsel Tips For R&W Insurance Underwriting Calls," Law360 (September 21, 2021)
- Author, "Four due diligence insights drawn from the global pandemic," Business Insurance (September 3, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Voided: The NLRB Adopts a Bright-Line Approach to Dual-Marked Ballots," Employer Labor Relations Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 28, 2020)
- Co-Author, "How An M&A Tool Can Benefit Bankruptcy Sales," Law360 (May 7, 2020)
- Co-Author, "COVID-19 Furloughs and Layoffs: Are you triggering pension fund withdrawal liability?," Employer Labor Relations Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 20, 2020)
- Co-Author, "First Circuit Rules That Private Equity Funds Are Not Responsible For Portfolio Company Withdrawal Liability," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (Nov 27, 2019)
- Contributing Editor, "The Developing Labor Law," Bloomberg BNA (2015–Present)
- Contributing Author, "Fair Labor Standards Act," Bloomberg BNA (2012–2014)
- Contributing Editor, "The Employment Law Deskbook," Matthew Bender (2010–2014)
- "NLRB Franchise Scrutiny Comes To Staffing Agencies," Law360 (June 4, 2015)
- "Knowing of Protected Activity Essential in the Fourth Circuit," Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin (January 2015)
- "No Basis for Overturning Arbitration Award Reinstating Discharged Employee," Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin (September 2014)
- "Wisconsin's Law Limiting Public Sector Bargaining Withstands Second Challenge," Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin (June 2014)
- "Third Circuit Validates Preeminence of Board's Section 10(k) Rulings," Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin (February 2014)
- Co-Author, "Supreme Court Decision in Mulhall Could Have Broad Implications for Labor Organizing," CCH Employment Law Daily (November 11, 2013)
- "Ninth Circuit Upholds Hefty Damage Award Against ILWU," Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin (September 2013)
- "D.C. Circuit Strikes Down NLRB Posting Requirement," Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin (July 2013)
- "Board Acts to Protect Employee Rights to Access Social Media," Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin (February 2013)
- Co-Author, "Implementing an Effective Workforce Reduction," Employment and Labor Relations Law E-Newsletter, American Bar Association (January 2013)
- "Litigation Attaching Job Targeting Program Violates NLRB," Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin (December 2012)
- "Intent Is Key in Determination of 'Primary/Secondary' Issues," Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin (October 2012)
- "NLRB Notice to Employees Suffers Setback in Early Court Tests," Bender’s Labor and Employment Bulletin (June 2012)
- Co-Author, "New Labor Law Changes Impact the Casino Bottom Line," Casino Enterprise Management (February 2012)
- Co-Author, "New NLRB Position on Location of Striking Workers," Lexis-Nexis Emerging Issues Analysis (November 2011)
- "Different Circuit, Same Result: FMCSA Regulations Lose Again in Federal Court," Bender’s Labor and Employment Bulletin (October 2011)
- "The Employee Free Choice Act’s Interest Arbitration Provision: In Whose Best Interest?," Penn State Law Review (2010)
- Co-Speaker, “Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 35: RWI Claims: Everything You Want to Know,” Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 16, 2024)
- Co-Speaker, “Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 34: New Opportunities in Contingent Risk,” Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 29, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, "Representations and Warranties Insurance: Common Pitfalls and Best Practices," American Law Institute (July 22, 2024)
- Co-Speaker, "Reps & Warranties Underwriting Trends," 8th Annual Reps & Warranties & Transactional Liability Insurance ExecuSummit (April 30, 2024)
- Co-Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 31: Early 2024: The State of the RWI Market," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 11, 2024)
- Co-Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 30: Transactional Risk Insurance in Asia: Market Primer and Opportunities Ahead," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 13, 2023)
- Co-Speaker, "Reps and Warranties Insurance in M&A: Critical Tool to Mitigate Risk and Close Deals," Webinar, Strafford (August 23, 2023)
- Co-Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 29: Striking the Right Balance – Archer Transactional Enters the RWI Space," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 6, 2023)
- Co-Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 28: RiskPoint – A Global Underwriting Platform Hitting the Mark," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 23, 2023)
- Presenter, "Reps & Warranties Underwriting Trends," 7th Annual Reps & Warranties and Transactional Liability Insurance ExecuSummit, Uncasville, CT (May 2-3, 2023)
- Co-Speaker, "Episode 27: Secondaries: The New RWI Frontier," Podcast, Seyfarth Into the Breach (May 1, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 26: Palisade Insurance Partners: Putting a Strong Fence Around Risk," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 13, 2023)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 25: A Broader View: How Transactional Risk Insurance Has Revolutionized Risk Allocation," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 28, 2023)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 24: RWI in "Start-Up Nation": Utilizing Transactional Risk Insurance on Deals in Israel," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 22, 2023)
- Speaker, “Looking Forward: Coverage Innovations in Transactional Risk Insurance,” PLUS Transactional Risk Symposium (February 14, 2023).
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 23: RWI For Corporate Buyers: The Ultimate Primer," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 22, 2022)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 22: Mio: A New Way to Underwrite RWI," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 16, 2022)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 21: Open for Business: Dual Transaction Solutions Launches Tax Insurance Product," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 31, 2022)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 20: Transitioning from M&A Counsel to RWI Underwriter: An Interview with Heith Rodman, Berkley Transactional," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 3, 2022)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 19: Something Old, Something New: An Interview with Rustin Paul, Chief Underwriting Officer, Concord Specialty Risk," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 26, 2022)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 18: Utilizing RWI on Healthcare Transactions," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 2, 2022)
- Speaker, “Where R&W Insurance is Going: Thoughts and Insights into the Future of the Product,” Representations and Warranties and Transactional Liability Insurance ExecuSummit (May 4, 2022).
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 17: RWI in 2022: What Lies Ahead in the New Year Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 23, 2022)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 16: O Canada! Using RWI in Canadian Cross-Border Transactions Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 19, 2022)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 15: Making Your Deal Less Taxing: How to Effectively Use Tax Insurance in Your Next Transaction (and Beyond) Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 8, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Maximizing Representation & Warranty Insurance (RWI) For Your Next Deal," ACG Chicago Virtual Sunrise Session (October 26, 2021)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 14: Broker or Underwriter: Which is the Better Career Path For You? Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 23, 2021)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 13: The Reps and Warranties Insurance Mid-Year Update Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 6, 2021)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 12: DUAL Transaction Solutions - The Intersection of RWI and Excess D&O Coverage Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 28, 2021)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 11: Ensuring RWI Underwriters Understand Underlying Insurance Policies in the Deal Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 2, 2021)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 10: Going Global: Using Transactional Risk Insurance on International Transactions Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 6, 2021)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 9: COVID-19’s Impact on Reps and Warranties Insurance: A Year in Review and What Lies Ahead Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 17, 2021)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 8: The RWI Career Path: How to Get your Next Job in Transactional Risk Insurance Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 3, 2021)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 7: The RW Exchange: Embracing New Technology in Your Next Transaction Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 16, 2021)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 6: Contingent Risk Insurance: Concept, Growth, and Opportunities Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 26, 2021)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 5: Reps and Warranties Insurance: The Buy-Side Perspective Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 23, 2020)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 4: Thinking Outside the Box: Novel Uses of RWI Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 1, 2020)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 3: Recap of CAC Specialty Live Conference Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 23, 2020)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 2: Top 5 Tips for RWI Underwriting and Due Diligence on a Tight Timeline Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 23, 2020)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 1: RWI and the COVID-19 Exclusion Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 23, 2020)
- "Representations and Warranties Insurance: Trends, Developments, and Issues You Should Know," The Knowledge Group Webinar (October 29, 2020)
- "Where R&W Insurance Is Going: Thoughts and Insights into the Future of the Product," ExecuSummit Online Webinar (June 24, 2020)
- "How Reps and Warranties Insurance Can Benefit Bankruptcy Sales," ExecuSummit Online Webinar (June 4, 2020)
- "Practical Guidance and Strategies to Execute a Seamless Healthcare M&A Transaction," M&A, RWI and Transactional Risk Insurance Conference in New York, NY (October 10, 2019)
- "On the Horizon for Government Contractors: Specialized Labor and Employment Issues and Practical Advice," Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Washington, DC (June 4, 2019)
- "Rulemaking vs. Adjudication," American Bar Association Committee on Practice and Procedure under the National Labor Relations Act, 2019 Midwinter Meeting (March 1, 2019)
- "Buying and Selling the Privately Held Company, Specialty Area: Labor and Employment," Practising Law Institute (June 6, 2018)
- "Happily Ever After Following a Merger? Not Always," American Bar Association Committee on Practice and Procedure under the National Labor Relations Act, 2017 Midwinter Meeting (March 2, 2017)
- "Employee Handbooks in Maryland: Keeping Your Policies Up-to-Date," Lorman Educational Services (March 19, 2014)
- "The NLRB’s Latest Restrictions on Your Social Media and Handbook Policies," Human Resources Association of Southern Maryland (February 20, 2013)
Bryan co-leads the firm’s Transactional Risk Insurance group, and has developed a unique practice area combining corporate transactional matters, reps and warranties insurance, and traditional labor law.
More About Bryan
Bryan is the co-creator and co-leader of Seyfarth’s interdisciplinary Transactional Risk Insurance group. Operating as a model of cross-departmental entrepreneurship, the Transactional Risk Insurance group has quickly become one of the industry’s leading underwriting counsel practices. Bryan and his team of over 60 Seyfarth attorneys worldwide advise RWI markets on all aspects of a deal, including advising at the pre-bid stage, crafting deal-specific and highly tailored underwriting call agendas, leading underwriting calls, running the underwriting process, preparing narrowly tailored exclusions, identifying key legal risks, and assisting with policy drafting. The Seyfarth team’s experience extends beyond traditional reps deals, and has grown to encompass real estate and REIT transactions, tax insurance, and contingent risk. Further, leveraging the firm’s long history of success in the capital market space, the Seyfarth team is the RWI market leader in secondary transactions. The Transactional Risk Insurance group also serves as coverage counsel on claims emanating from RWI policies. Bryan frequently appears in the media commenting on transactional risk insurance matters and is widely recognized as one of the thought leaders in the industry.
In addition to his practice representing insurers, Bryan also represents companies in buy-side and sell-side due diligence and bankruptcy matters. Bryan has been responsible for due diligence on more than 1,500 deals, with a particular emphasis on private equity transactions.
Given his strong familiarity with private equity investments, Bryan is frequently called upon after a transaction to be the “outside general counsel” for growth stage portfolio companies that lack in-house legal capabilities. In this role, Bryan serves as a “quarterback” for his clients and coordinates strategic legal matters across a wide variety of issues including litigation, labor and employment, employee benefits, trade secrets and restrictive covenants, IP, real estate, and environmental matters. Through the Seyfarth platform and Bryan’s collaboration and partnership with deal counsel, Bryan ensures that portfolio companies receive legal advice and counsel that enhances the long-term value of the company. Bryan relishes working closely with these companies and helping them take their business to the next level.
In addition to these practices, Bryan frequently represents employers in all aspects of traditional labor law, most notably in the hospitality industry. Bryan defends employers in grievance and arbitration matters, NLRB unfair labor practice charges and administrative law judge trials, NLRB appellate matters, union organizing and representational elections, collective bargaining, strikes, pickets, corporate campaigns, and union-related bankruptcy implications. Bryan was the management co-chair for Region V of the American Bar Association’s Committee on Practice and Procedure under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). In addition, Bryan has been a contributing editor to The Developing Labor Law and How to Take a Case Before the NLRB. Since 2019, he has been recognized in Chambers USA as a Leading Lawyer for Labor & Employment and is the youngest attorney in the Washington, DC market to achieve this honor. He has also been recognized in the Legal 500 for labor-management relations.
Bryan graduated summa cum laude from the Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law and graduated summa cum laude from George Washington University, with a BA in Political Communications. While in law school, Bryan was the editor-in-chief of the Penn State Law Review. Prior to receiving his law degree, Bryan was a public policy consultant on labor, employment, and higher education in Washington, DC for several think tanks and trade associations, working with organizations such as the US Chamber of Commerce and HR Policy Association.
In addition to his practice representing insurers, Bryan also represents companies in buy-side and sell-side due diligence and bankruptcy matters. Bryan has been responsible for due diligence on more than 1,500 deals, with a particular emphasis on private equity transactions.
Given his strong familiarity with private equity investments, Bryan is frequently called upon after a transaction to be the “outside general counsel” for growth stage portfolio companies that lack in-house legal capabilities. In this role, Bryan serves as a “quarterback” for his clients and coordinates strategic legal matters across a wide variety of issues including litigation, labor and employment, employee benefits, trade secrets and restrictive covenants, IP, real estate, and environmental matters. Through the Seyfarth platform and Bryan’s collaboration and partnership with deal counsel, Bryan ensures that portfolio companies receive legal advice and counsel that enhances the long-term value of the company. Bryan relishes working closely with these companies and helping them take their business to the next level.
In addition to these practices, Bryan frequently represents employers in all aspects of traditional labor law, most notably in the hospitality industry. Bryan defends employers in grievance and arbitration matters, NLRB unfair labor practice charges and administrative law judge trials, NLRB appellate matters, union organizing and representational elections, collective bargaining, strikes, pickets, corporate campaigns, and union-related bankruptcy implications. Bryan was the management co-chair for Region V of the American Bar Association’s Committee on Practice and Procedure under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). In addition, Bryan has been a contributing editor to The Developing Labor Law and How to Take a Case Before the NLRB. Since 2019, he has been recognized in Chambers USA as a Leading Lawyer for Labor & Employment and is the youngest attorney in the Washington, DC market to achieve this honor. He has also been recognized in the Legal 500 for labor-management relations.
Bryan graduated summa cum laude from the Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law and graduated summa cum laude from George Washington University, with a BA in Political Communications. While in law school, Bryan was the editor-in-chief of the Penn State Law Review. Prior to receiving his law degree, Bryan was a public policy consultant on labor, employment, and higher education in Washington, DC for several think tanks and trade associations, working with organizations such as the US Chamber of Commerce and HR Policy Association.
- JD, Dickinson School of Law, The Pennsylvania State University
Summa cum laude
Penn State Law Review, editor-in-chief
Woolsack Honor Society - BA, The George Washington University
Political CommunicationsSumma cum laude
Departmental honors
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
Related Services
- Employment
- Employment Litigation
- Independent Worker Strategies
- Labor Management Relations
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Post-Pandemic Recovery & Renewal
- Reductions in Force & Business Restructuring
- Wage Hour Private Equity Due Diligence
- Wage Hour Audit, Assessment & Advice
- Transactional Risk Insurance
- Trial
Related Key Industries
- Represented North American transactional risk insurers on more than 1,000 deals involving the successful placement of representations and warranties insurance.
- Represented prominent national hospitality chain in grievance proceeding over the implementation of management changes related to COVID-19. In a significant decision, a neutral arbitrator found that the hotel operated in accordance with the contract and the law.
- Represented regional hospitality industry association and its members in collective bargaining negotiations with local union.
- Represented global private equity firm in significant arbitration proceeding concerning impact of corporate transaction on union collective bargaining agreement.
- Advised a prominent regional transportation company in its sale to a global private equity firm with respect to numerous union-related matters that occurred during the sale process.
- Advised a New York City-based unionized health care nonprofit organization on its spinoff from a large for-profit unionized New York hospital chain.
- Represented a bankrupt company and its owner, faced with investigations from both the National Labor Relations Board and the Department of Labor concerning its closure and the administration of a self-funded health care plan. The NLRB charges were settled on favorable terms to the company and the Department of Labor did not pursue charges against the company or the owner.
- Represented prominent nursing home chain in NLRB and appellate proceedings challenging the authority of Regional Directors to conduct representation elections without a full board quorum.
- Represented a major multinational confectionery company in a series of grievance and arbitration cases.
- Represented dozens of companies in NLRB elections and union organizing campaigns with successful execution of strategic labor relations plan.
Related Trends
Related News & Insights
-
Podcast
Sep 16, 2024
Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 35: RWI Claims: Everything You Want to Know
-
Podcast
Jul 29, 2024
Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 34: New Opportunities in Contingent Risk
-
Speaking Engagement
Jul 22, 2024
Bryan O'Keefe to Co-Present ALI CLE Webinar – "Representations and Warranties Insurance: Common Pitfalls and Best Practices"
-
Recognition
06/12/2024
Seyfarth Earns Top Tier Rankings Again in The Legal 500
- Recognized as a Next Generation Lawyer in Labor and employment - Labor-management relations by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2021-2024)
- Recognized for Labor & Employment (District of Columbia) by Chambers USA (2023-2024)
- Recognized as a Top 10 Influential Labor & Employment Lawyers in DC by Business Today (2023)
- Recognized as an Up-and Coming lawyer in Labor & Employment (District of Columbia) by Chambers USA (2020-2022)
- Recommended Attorney for Labor and employment - Labor - Management Relations by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2020-2021)
- American Bar Association Committee on Practice and Procedure under the National Labor Relations Act, Management Region V former co-chair
- American Bar Association Committee on the Development of the Law under the National Labor Relations Act
- Practising Law Institute, Acquiring or Selling the Privately Held Company Labor and Employment faculty member
- Co-Author, "5 Buyers' Counsel Tips For R&W Insurance Underwriting Calls," Law360 (September 21, 2021)
- Author, "Four due diligence insights drawn from the global pandemic," Business Insurance (September 3, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Voided: The NLRB Adopts a Bright-Line Approach to Dual-Marked Ballots," Employer Labor Relations Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 28, 2020)
- Co-Author, "How An M&A Tool Can Benefit Bankruptcy Sales," Law360 (May 7, 2020)
- Co-Author, "COVID-19 Furloughs and Layoffs: Are you triggering pension fund withdrawal liability?," Employer Labor Relations Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 20, 2020)
- Co-Author, "First Circuit Rules That Private Equity Funds Are Not Responsible For Portfolio Company Withdrawal Liability," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (Nov 27, 2019)
- Contributing Editor, "The Developing Labor Law," Bloomberg BNA (2015–Present)
- Contributing Author, "Fair Labor Standards Act," Bloomberg BNA (2012–2014)
- Contributing Editor, "The Employment Law Deskbook," Matthew Bender (2010–2014)
- "NLRB Franchise Scrutiny Comes To Staffing Agencies," Law360 (June 4, 2015)
- "Knowing of Protected Activity Essential in the Fourth Circuit," Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin (January 2015)
- "No Basis for Overturning Arbitration Award Reinstating Discharged Employee," Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin (September 2014)
- "Wisconsin's Law Limiting Public Sector Bargaining Withstands Second Challenge," Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin (June 2014)
- "Third Circuit Validates Preeminence of Board's Section 10(k) Rulings," Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin (February 2014)
- Co-Author, "Supreme Court Decision in Mulhall Could Have Broad Implications for Labor Organizing," CCH Employment Law Daily (November 11, 2013)
- "Ninth Circuit Upholds Hefty Damage Award Against ILWU," Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin (September 2013)
- "D.C. Circuit Strikes Down NLRB Posting Requirement," Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin (July 2013)
- "Board Acts to Protect Employee Rights to Access Social Media," Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin (February 2013)
- Co-Author, "Implementing an Effective Workforce Reduction," Employment and Labor Relations Law E-Newsletter, American Bar Association (January 2013)
- "Litigation Attaching Job Targeting Program Violates NLRB," Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin (December 2012)
- "Intent Is Key in Determination of 'Primary/Secondary' Issues," Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin (October 2012)
- "NLRB Notice to Employees Suffers Setback in Early Court Tests," Bender’s Labor and Employment Bulletin (June 2012)
- Co-Author, "New Labor Law Changes Impact the Casino Bottom Line," Casino Enterprise Management (February 2012)
- Co-Author, "New NLRB Position on Location of Striking Workers," Lexis-Nexis Emerging Issues Analysis (November 2011)
- "Different Circuit, Same Result: FMCSA Regulations Lose Again in Federal Court," Bender’s Labor and Employment Bulletin (October 2011)
- "The Employee Free Choice Act’s Interest Arbitration Provision: In Whose Best Interest?," Penn State Law Review (2010)
- Co-Speaker, “Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 35: RWI Claims: Everything You Want to Know,” Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 16, 2024)
- Co-Speaker, “Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 34: New Opportunities in Contingent Risk,” Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 29, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, "Representations and Warranties Insurance: Common Pitfalls and Best Practices," American Law Institute (July 22, 2024)
- Co-Speaker, "Reps & Warranties Underwriting Trends," 8th Annual Reps & Warranties & Transactional Liability Insurance ExecuSummit (April 30, 2024)
- Co-Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 31: Early 2024: The State of the RWI Market," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 11, 2024)
- Co-Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 30: Transactional Risk Insurance in Asia: Market Primer and Opportunities Ahead," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 13, 2023)
- Co-Speaker, "Reps and Warranties Insurance in M&A: Critical Tool to Mitigate Risk and Close Deals," Webinar, Strafford (August 23, 2023)
- Co-Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 29: Striking the Right Balance – Archer Transactional Enters the RWI Space," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 6, 2023)
- Co-Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 28: RiskPoint – A Global Underwriting Platform Hitting the Mark," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 23, 2023)
- Presenter, "Reps & Warranties Underwriting Trends," 7th Annual Reps & Warranties and Transactional Liability Insurance ExecuSummit, Uncasville, CT (May 2-3, 2023)
- Co-Speaker, "Episode 27: Secondaries: The New RWI Frontier," Podcast, Seyfarth Into the Breach (May 1, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 26: Palisade Insurance Partners: Putting a Strong Fence Around Risk," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 13, 2023)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 25: A Broader View: How Transactional Risk Insurance Has Revolutionized Risk Allocation," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 28, 2023)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 24: RWI in "Start-Up Nation": Utilizing Transactional Risk Insurance on Deals in Israel," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 22, 2023)
- Speaker, “Looking Forward: Coverage Innovations in Transactional Risk Insurance,” PLUS Transactional Risk Symposium (February 14, 2023).
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 23: RWI For Corporate Buyers: The Ultimate Primer," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 22, 2022)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 22: Mio: A New Way to Underwrite RWI," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 16, 2022)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 21: Open for Business: Dual Transaction Solutions Launches Tax Insurance Product," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 31, 2022)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 20: Transitioning from M&A Counsel to RWI Underwriter: An Interview with Heith Rodman, Berkley Transactional," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 3, 2022)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 19: Something Old, Something New: An Interview with Rustin Paul, Chief Underwriting Officer, Concord Specialty Risk," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 26, 2022)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 18: Utilizing RWI on Healthcare Transactions," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 2, 2022)
- Speaker, “Where R&W Insurance is Going: Thoughts and Insights into the Future of the Product,” Representations and Warranties and Transactional Liability Insurance ExecuSummit (May 4, 2022).
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 17: RWI in 2022: What Lies Ahead in the New Year Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 23, 2022)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 16: O Canada! Using RWI in Canadian Cross-Border Transactions Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 19, 2022)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 15: Making Your Deal Less Taxing: How to Effectively Use Tax Insurance in Your Next Transaction (and Beyond) Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 8, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Maximizing Representation & Warranty Insurance (RWI) For Your Next Deal," ACG Chicago Virtual Sunrise Session (October 26, 2021)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 14: Broker or Underwriter: Which is the Better Career Path For You? Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 23, 2021)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 13: The Reps and Warranties Insurance Mid-Year Update Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 6, 2021)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 12: DUAL Transaction Solutions - The Intersection of RWI and Excess D&O Coverage Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 28, 2021)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 11: Ensuring RWI Underwriters Understand Underlying Insurance Policies in the Deal Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 2, 2021)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 10: Going Global: Using Transactional Risk Insurance on International Transactions Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 6, 2021)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 9: COVID-19’s Impact on Reps and Warranties Insurance: A Year in Review and What Lies Ahead Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 17, 2021)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 8: The RWI Career Path: How to Get your Next Job in Transactional Risk Insurance Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 3, 2021)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 7: The RW Exchange: Embracing New Technology in Your Next Transaction Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 16, 2021)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 6: Contingent Risk Insurance: Concept, Growth, and Opportunities Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 26, 2021)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 5: Reps and Warranties Insurance: The Buy-Side Perspective Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 23, 2020)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 4: Thinking Outside the Box: Novel Uses of RWI Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 1, 2020)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 3: Recap of CAC Specialty Live Conference Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 23, 2020)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 2: Top 5 Tips for RWI Underwriting and Due Diligence on a Tight Timeline Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 23, 2020)
- Speaker, "Into the Breach Podcast - Episode 1: RWI and the COVID-19 Exclusion Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 23, 2020)
- "Representations and Warranties Insurance: Trends, Developments, and Issues You Should Know," The Knowledge Group Webinar (October 29, 2020)
- "Where R&W Insurance Is Going: Thoughts and Insights into the Future of the Product," ExecuSummit Online Webinar (June 24, 2020)
- "How Reps and Warranties Insurance Can Benefit Bankruptcy Sales," ExecuSummit Online Webinar (June 4, 2020)
- "Practical Guidance and Strategies to Execute a Seamless Healthcare M&A Transaction," M&A, RWI and Transactional Risk Insurance Conference in New York, NY (October 10, 2019)
- "On the Horizon for Government Contractors: Specialized Labor and Employment Issues and Practical Advice," Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Washington, DC (June 4, 2019)
- "Rulemaking vs. Adjudication," American Bar Association Committee on Practice and Procedure under the National Labor Relations Act, 2019 Midwinter Meeting (March 1, 2019)
- "Buying and Selling the Privately Held Company, Specialty Area: Labor and Employment," Practising Law Institute (June 6, 2018)
- "Happily Ever After Following a Merger? Not Always," American Bar Association Committee on Practice and Procedure under the National Labor Relations Act, 2017 Midwinter Meeting (March 2, 2017)
- "Employee Handbooks in Maryland: Keeping Your Policies Up-to-Date," Lorman Educational Services (March 19, 2014)
- "The NLRB’s Latest Restrictions on Your Social Media and Handbook Policies," Human Resources Association of Southern Maryland (February 20, 2013)