Ronald J.Kramer
Partner
Labor & Employment
rkramer@seyfarth.com
Ron is a partner representing management in labor and employment law matters.
More About Ron
Ron has been responsible for advising and representing private and public sector employers in a wide range of labor and employment issues, including but not limited to employment discrimination charges, investigations, settlements and lawsuits; employee benefits (ERISA) litigation matters including benefit claims and multiemployer withdrawal liability assessments; and traditional labor matters such as union organizing drives, unfair labor practice charges, collective bargaining, strikes, interest arbitration, grievance and arbitration matters.
Ron has served as chief negotiator in collective bargaining negotiations for numerous clients in their negotiations with unions such as the Laborers, IUOE, IBEW, UNITE HERE, Painters, IAM, USW, Teamsters, UFCW, IAFF, AFSCME, FOP, and MAP.
Ron is a member of the firm's Health Care Reform Team. This cross-departmental team of lawyers was formed to focus on how health care reform will affect our clients. Ron advises clients on the employment law and traditional labor impacts of health care reform.
Ron has served as chief negotiator in collective bargaining negotiations for numerous clients in their negotiations with unions such as the Laborers, IUOE, IBEW, UNITE HERE, Painters, IAM, USW, Teamsters, UFCW, IAFF, AFSCME, FOP, and MAP.
Ron is a member of the firm's Health Care Reform Team. This cross-departmental team of lawyers was formed to focus on how health care reform will affect our clients. Ron advises clients on the employment law and traditional labor impacts of health care reform.
- JD, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology
With high honors
- BA, Michigan State University
Magna cum laude
- Illinois
- US Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar)
- US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- US District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
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08/15/2024
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Recognition
08/17/2023
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Blog Post
Mar 27, 2023
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Blog Post
Jan 10, 2023
Special Financial Assistance Is Good News For Fund Participating Employers, But Is Not A Free Exit Pass
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Employment Law - Management (2019-2025) and Labor Law - Management (2019-2025)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for ERISA litigation by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2020)
- American Bar Association Section of Labor and Employment Law
- American Bar Association Section of State and Local Government Law former council member
- American Bar Association Government Operations Committee current chair
- Chicago Bar Association
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Co-Author, "PBGC Addresses Withdrawal Liability Assumptions For First Time In New Proposed Rule," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 21, 2022)
- Co-Author, "PBGC Issues Much Anticipated Interim Final Rule on Special Financial Assistance Under American Rescue Plan Act," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 13, 2021)
- Co-Author, "How COBRA Got Her Groove Back: Old Law Gets New Focus From DOL, Class Action Plaintiffs’ Attorneys," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 15, 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)
- Author, “PPA Trumps Just Born’s NLRA Right To Unilaterally Implement Pension Proposal,” ERISA & Employee Benefits Litigation Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 30, 2018)
- Co-Author, “The Supreme Court Says Goodbye to the Yard-Man Inference Again and Reaffirms Ordinary Principles of Contract Law Apply When Interpreting Collective Bargaining Agreements,” ERISA & Employee Benefits Litigation Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 28, 2018)
- Co-Author, “Central District of California Finds No ERISA Preemption Where Determination of Benefits at Termination Is Non-Discretionary,” ERISA & Employee Benefits Litigation Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 30, 2018)
- Author, “Successor General Counsel Robb Signals Potential Successorship Retrenchment,” Employer Labor Relations Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 12, 2017)
- Chapter Co-Editor, Chapter 10, “Postelection Procedures,” How to Take a Case Before the NLRB (7th Ed. 2000, 8th Ed. 2008, 9th Ed. 2016)
- "Did The NLRB Just Hand NLRA Successorship To States?” Law360 (September 23, 2015)
- Co-Author, "The Long-Awaited Death of Yard-Man," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 26, 2015)
- "NLRB Sets Its Sights on McDonald’s and Other Franchisors," Hospitality Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 23, 2014)
- Co-Author, "Divided Supreme Court Finds Fair Share Fees For “Partial-Public Employees” Unconstitutional," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 30, 2014)
- “Look Before You Leap: How Calm is the Water in a “Hybrid” Pool?,” Benefits Magazine (June 2014)
- Co-Author, "NLRB Goes Long: Regional Director Finds NU Football Scholarship Athletes Employees," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 27, 2014)
- Co-Author, “NLRB Issues Proposed Expedited Election Rules,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 5, 2014)
- Co-Author, Chapter 3 “Obligations under the National Labor Relations Act.” Labor and Employment Issues in Transactions, Business Restructuring, and Workforce Reductions (Ill. Inst. for CLE 2013)
- Co-Author, "Illinois State Police Releases Sign Required to Prohibit Concealed Carry on Private Property," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 15, 2013)
- “State Of Illinois Makes It Easier To Exclude Public Employer Managers And Supervisors From Collective Bargaining -- But Only For Itself,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 14, 2013)
- “Illinois Becomes Second State In Nation To Bar Employers From Obtaining Access To Employee Social Networking Pages,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 10, 2012)
- “Supreme Court Wades Into The Fray As To Public Sector Unions’ Use Of Non-Member Fees For Ideological Purposes, “ One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 22, 2012)
- Contributing Editor, Labor and Employment Law: The Employer’s Compliance Guide (Thompson 2008)
- Co-Author, “Garcetti v. Ceballos: The Battle over What It Means Has Just Begun,” 39 Urban Law No. 4, 983 (2007)
- Co-Author, “Pension Fund Litigation: Not Just for the Private Sector,” NPELRA Newsletter (Nov. 2007)
- Co-Author, “Employment Discrimination Law” 40-3rd C.P.S. (BNA 2006)
- Co-Author, Chapter 10 “Municipal Personnel Practices,” Illinois Municipal Law (Ill. Inst. For LE 2006)
- Co-Presenter, "The PBGC Interim Final Rule on Special Financial Assistance: What it Means for Multiemployer Plans and Participating Employers," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 30, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Pension Reform in our Time? What Butch Lewis Means for Multiemployer Plans and Participating Employers," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 24, 2021)
- Speaker, “Why is this so hard? Addressing and possibly resolving complex grievances,” National Public Employer Labor Relations Association Annual Conference (April 16, 2018)
- Speaker, “Prepare for Change: 2018 and Beyond at the NLRB,” Breakfast Briefing, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 22, 2018)
- Speaker, “What's Next After the ACA? What Every Public Agency Should Know for 2017,” National Public Employer Labor Relations Association Annual Conference (April 25, 2017)
- Speaker, “Winning that Contract Arbitration, Preferably Before it Starts,” Illinois Public Employer Labor Relations Association Annual Conference (Oct. 25, 2016)
- Speaker, "Public Sector and the FLSA: New Compensation Regulations and Implications," Webinar, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 28, 2016)
- Speaker, "Withdrawal Liability Update And Discussion of New PBGC Rulemaking," Webinar, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 20, 2016)
- Speaker, Health Care Reform: How It Will Impact the Hospitality Industry, American Hotel and Lodging Association Webinar (2010)
- Speaker, High “C’s” Ahead: Public Employer Collective Bargaining, Contractual and Constitutional Hurdles in Concessionary Bargaining, American Bar Association Section of State and Local Government Law Spring Conference, Hot Topics (2010)
- Speaker, New and Pending Labor and Employment Legislation Affecting State and Local Governmental Employers, American Bar Association Section of State and Local Government Law Webinar (2009)
- Speaker, Confronting New Union Organizing Tactics, Illinois Chamber of Commerce (2008)
- Speaker, Tomorrow’s Challenge is Here Today: The Employee Free Choice Act, Addison, IL Chamber of Commerce (2008)
- Speaker, Retirement Benefits and the PPA, Illinois Chamber of Commerce (2007)
- Trainer, Interviewing and Hiring, Keeping Your Recruitment Strategies Legal, North East Multi-Regional Training (October 2004)
- Speaker, Wright and Grievance Procedures from an Employer’s Perspective, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service 12th National Labor-Management Conference (2004)
- Trainer, Conducting Employment Disciplinary Investigations, Illinois Institute for Continuing Education (2003 and 2004)
- Speaker at numerous conferences regarding labor issues, including the Illinois City Managers Association Annual Conference, the Illinois and Nevada Public Employer Labor Relations Association Annual Conferences, the Illinois Association of Fire Chiefs Annual Conference, the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association Annual Symposium, and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference.
Ron is a partner representing management in labor and employment law matters.
More About Ron
Ron has been responsible for advising and representing private and public sector employers in a wide range of labor and employment issues, including but not limited to employment discrimination charges, investigations, settlements and lawsuits; employee benefits (ERISA) litigation matters including benefit claims and multiemployer withdrawal liability assessments; and traditional labor matters such as union organizing drives, unfair labor practice charges, collective bargaining, strikes, interest arbitration, grievance and arbitration matters.
Ron has served as chief negotiator in collective bargaining negotiations for numerous clients in their negotiations with unions such as the Laborers, IUOE, IBEW, UNITE HERE, Painters, IAM, USW, Teamsters, UFCW, IAFF, AFSCME, FOP, and MAP.
Ron is a member of the firm's Health Care Reform Team. This cross-departmental team of lawyers was formed to focus on how health care reform will affect our clients. Ron advises clients on the employment law and traditional labor impacts of health care reform.
Ron has served as chief negotiator in collective bargaining negotiations for numerous clients in their negotiations with unions such as the Laborers, IUOE, IBEW, UNITE HERE, Painters, IAM, USW, Teamsters, UFCW, IAFF, AFSCME, FOP, and MAP.
Ron is a member of the firm's Health Care Reform Team. This cross-departmental team of lawyers was formed to focus on how health care reform will affect our clients. Ron advises clients on the employment law and traditional labor impacts of health care reform.
- JD, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology
With high honors
- BA, Michigan State University
Magna cum laude
- Illinois
- US Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
- US District Court, Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar)
- US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- US District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
Related Services
Related Key Industries
Related News & Insights
-
Firm News
08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
-
Recognition
08/17/2023
210 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2024
-
Blog Post
Mar 27, 2023
National Education Association Retirement Plan Gets Schooled On Withdrawal Liability Interest Rate Assumptions
-
Blog Post
Jan 10, 2023
Special Financial Assistance Is Good News For Fund Participating Employers, But Is Not A Free Exit Pass
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Employment Law - Management (2019-2025) and Labor Law - Management (2019-2025)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for ERISA litigation by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2020)
- American Bar Association Section of Labor and Employment Law
- American Bar Association Section of State and Local Government Law former council member
- American Bar Association Government Operations Committee current chair
- Chicago Bar Association
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Co-Author, "PBGC Addresses Withdrawal Liability Assumptions For First Time In New Proposed Rule," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 21, 2022)
- Co-Author, "PBGC Issues Much Anticipated Interim Final Rule on Special Financial Assistance Under American Rescue Plan Act," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 13, 2021)
- Co-Author, "How COBRA Got Her Groove Back: Old Law Gets New Focus From DOL, Class Action Plaintiffs’ Attorneys," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 15, 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)
- Author, “PPA Trumps Just Born’s NLRA Right To Unilaterally Implement Pension Proposal,” ERISA & Employee Benefits Litigation Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 30, 2018)
- Co-Author, “The Supreme Court Says Goodbye to the Yard-Man Inference Again and Reaffirms Ordinary Principles of Contract Law Apply When Interpreting Collective Bargaining Agreements,” ERISA & Employee Benefits Litigation Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 28, 2018)
- Co-Author, “Central District of California Finds No ERISA Preemption Where Determination of Benefits at Termination Is Non-Discretionary,” ERISA & Employee Benefits Litigation Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 30, 2018)
- Author, “Successor General Counsel Robb Signals Potential Successorship Retrenchment,” Employer Labor Relations Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 12, 2017)
- Chapter Co-Editor, Chapter 10, “Postelection Procedures,” How to Take a Case Before the NLRB (7th Ed. 2000, 8th Ed. 2008, 9th Ed. 2016)
- "Did The NLRB Just Hand NLRA Successorship To States?” Law360 (September 23, 2015)
- Co-Author, "The Long-Awaited Death of Yard-Man," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 26, 2015)
- "NLRB Sets Its Sights on McDonald’s and Other Franchisors," Hospitality Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 23, 2014)
- Co-Author, "Divided Supreme Court Finds Fair Share Fees For “Partial-Public Employees” Unconstitutional," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 30, 2014)
- “Look Before You Leap: How Calm is the Water in a “Hybrid” Pool?,” Benefits Magazine (June 2014)
- Co-Author, "NLRB Goes Long: Regional Director Finds NU Football Scholarship Athletes Employees," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 27, 2014)
- Co-Author, “NLRB Issues Proposed Expedited Election Rules,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 5, 2014)
- Co-Author, Chapter 3 “Obligations under the National Labor Relations Act.” Labor and Employment Issues in Transactions, Business Restructuring, and Workforce Reductions (Ill. Inst. for CLE 2013)
- Co-Author, "Illinois State Police Releases Sign Required to Prohibit Concealed Carry on Private Property," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 15, 2013)
- “State Of Illinois Makes It Easier To Exclude Public Employer Managers And Supervisors From Collective Bargaining -- But Only For Itself,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 14, 2013)
- “Illinois Becomes Second State In Nation To Bar Employers From Obtaining Access To Employee Social Networking Pages,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 10, 2012)
- “Supreme Court Wades Into The Fray As To Public Sector Unions’ Use Of Non-Member Fees For Ideological Purposes, “ One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 22, 2012)
- Contributing Editor, Labor and Employment Law: The Employer’s Compliance Guide (Thompson 2008)
- Co-Author, “Garcetti v. Ceballos: The Battle over What It Means Has Just Begun,” 39 Urban Law No. 4, 983 (2007)
- Co-Author, “Pension Fund Litigation: Not Just for the Private Sector,” NPELRA Newsletter (Nov. 2007)
- Co-Author, “Employment Discrimination Law” 40-3rd C.P.S. (BNA 2006)
- Co-Author, Chapter 10 “Municipal Personnel Practices,” Illinois Municipal Law (Ill. Inst. For LE 2006)
- Co-Presenter, "The PBGC Interim Final Rule on Special Financial Assistance: What it Means for Multiemployer Plans and Participating Employers," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 30, 2021)
- Co-Presenter, "Pension Reform in our Time? What Butch Lewis Means for Multiemployer Plans and Participating Employers," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 24, 2021)
- Speaker, “Why is this so hard? Addressing and possibly resolving complex grievances,” National Public Employer Labor Relations Association Annual Conference (April 16, 2018)
- Speaker, “Prepare for Change: 2018 and Beyond at the NLRB,” Breakfast Briefing, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 22, 2018)
- Speaker, “What's Next After the ACA? What Every Public Agency Should Know for 2017,” National Public Employer Labor Relations Association Annual Conference (April 25, 2017)
- Speaker, “Winning that Contract Arbitration, Preferably Before it Starts,” Illinois Public Employer Labor Relations Association Annual Conference (Oct. 25, 2016)
- Speaker, "Public Sector and the FLSA: New Compensation Regulations and Implications," Webinar, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 28, 2016)
- Speaker, "Withdrawal Liability Update And Discussion of New PBGC Rulemaking," Webinar, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 20, 2016)
- Speaker, Health Care Reform: How It Will Impact the Hospitality Industry, American Hotel and Lodging Association Webinar (2010)
- Speaker, High “C’s” Ahead: Public Employer Collective Bargaining, Contractual and Constitutional Hurdles in Concessionary Bargaining, American Bar Association Section of State and Local Government Law Spring Conference, Hot Topics (2010)
- Speaker, New and Pending Labor and Employment Legislation Affecting State and Local Governmental Employers, American Bar Association Section of State and Local Government Law Webinar (2009)
- Speaker, Confronting New Union Organizing Tactics, Illinois Chamber of Commerce (2008)
- Speaker, Tomorrow’s Challenge is Here Today: The Employee Free Choice Act, Addison, IL Chamber of Commerce (2008)
- Speaker, Retirement Benefits and the PPA, Illinois Chamber of Commerce (2007)
- Trainer, Interviewing and Hiring, Keeping Your Recruitment Strategies Legal, North East Multi-Regional Training (October 2004)
- Speaker, Wright and Grievance Procedures from an Employer’s Perspective, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service 12th National Labor-Management Conference (2004)
- Trainer, Conducting Employment Disciplinary Investigations, Illinois Institute for Continuing Education (2003 and 2004)
- Speaker at numerous conferences regarding labor issues, including the Illinois City Managers Association Annual Conference, the Illinois and Nevada Public Employer Labor Relations Association Annual Conferences, the Illinois Association of Fire Chiefs Annual Conference, the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association Annual Symposium, and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference.