Daniel V. Johns

Member

Daniel V. Johns litigates employment-related matters in courtrooms throughout the country, including numerous Courts of Appeals. Throughout his 25-year career, Daniel has represented and advised employers and their management in an array of labor and employment issues, including discrimination, harassment, and other civil rights litigation; interest and grievance arbitrations; at-will litigation; restrictive covenant/trade secret claims; benefits litigation; independent contractor classification issues; collective bargaining; union avoidance; and unfair labor practice litigation before the National Labor Relations Board and various state agencies.

Daniel has served as lead trial counsel in litigation matters around the country, including claims brought under: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), as well as various other federal, state, and local employment laws.  

Daniel is a fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers (CLEL) and has been recognized by Chambers USA for labor and employment law and The Best Lawyers in America for employment law and labor and employment litigation. Dan is also a regular columnist for Law360, where he shares his insights on current labor law issues.

Daniel earned his J.D. at the University of Virginia School of Law and his B.A. at the University of Notre Dame.

Experience

News

Best Lawyers Honors More Than 200 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys in its Best Lawyers in America 2025 Edition

August 15, 2024

Best Lawyers selected 242 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

31 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

June 11, 2024

Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only 5 percent of attorneys are named Super Lawyers; only 2.5 percent of attorneys are listed as Rising Stars.

Nearly 100 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 27 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2024 Guide

June 10, 2024

Chambers USA rankings are based on an “assessment of a firm’s work and opinions from external market sources, with an emphasis on client feedback.” In order to be ranked in the guide, lawyers and firms must demonstrate “sustained excellence.”

Case Headed to NLRB Might Prohibit Employers from Holding ‘Captive Audience’ Meetings

October 19, 2023

Daniel Johns was quoted in an SHRM article discussing a case pending before the National Labor Relations Board, which seeks to eliminate captive audience meetings and prevent employers from limiting email usage solely to business related matters.

Best Lawyers Honors More Than 200 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys to its Best Lawyers in America 2024 Edition

August 17, 2023

Best Lawyers selected 232 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Daniel Johns Elected Fellow of The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers

June 30, 2023

Daniel Johns, a member of Cozen O'Connor’s Labor & Employment Department, has been elected as a fellow of The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.

Eighty-eight Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 23 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2023 Guide

June 05, 2023

Of the 88 lawyers ranked, 17 lawyers have been recognized nationally, and eighteen were recognized in Band 1. Eight of the firm's practice areas have been recognized nationally, and nine were ranked Band 1.

42 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers & Rising Stars

May 24, 2023

Super Lawyers has selected 42 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to the 2023 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Employee Resource Groups May Invite Labor Scrutiny

January 13, 2023

Daniel Johns was quoted in Law360 discussing how employers should be careful with employee resource groups (ERGs) and not inadvertently operate a so-called company union, which could draw the ire of the National Labor Relations Board.

Supreme Court Will Review Damage Claims Incidental to Strikes

October 07, 2022

Daniel Johns was quoted in SHRM discussing how the Supreme Court might rule on how the NLRA typically pre-empts employer claims against unions under state law.

More Than 200 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch

August 22, 2022

210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Chambers Ranks 86 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 22 Practice Areas in Chambers USA 2022 Guide

June 02, 2022

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 86 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2022 edition.

49 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

June 01, 2022

Super Lawyers has selected 49 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to the 2022 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Are Labor Unions Making a Comeback in America?

May 23, 2022

Daniel Johns joined the Shaping Opinion podcast to talk about why all of a sudden employees at some well-known companies are organizing to unionize their workforces.

Attys Want In-Person Bargaining, But Zoom Likely To Persist

February 02, 2022

Daniel Johns spoke with Law360 discussing virtual negotiations with unions during COVID-19.

More Than 205 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch By The Best Lawyers In America

August 19, 2021

Best Lawyers selected 210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

82 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 19 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2021 Guide

May 26, 2021

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 82 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2021 edition; of those, 15 lawyers have been recognized nationally.

Labor Cases And Trends To Watch In 2021

January 03, 2021

Daniel Johns was quoted in Law360 discussing how the NLRB will have a symbolic impact on the labor movement in 2021.

200 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch By The Best Lawyers In America

August 20, 2020

Best Lawyers selected 200 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© (Copyright 2020 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC).

63 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 16 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2020 Guide

May 14, 2020

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 63 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2020 edition.

Publications

Focus On Political Stances May Weaken Labor Unions

August 09, 2024

Daniel Johns authored a Law360 article discussing the proposed Union Members Right to Know Act, which aims to enhance transparency and accountability within unions by requiring them to inform members of their rights.

NLRB 10(j) Injunctions Must Meet the Traditional Injunction Test [Alert]

June 20, 2024

Dan Johns and Kelly Kindig discuss the Supreme Court's recent ruling that district courts must use the traditional four-factor test for preliminary injunctions sought by the NLRB.

Employers Beware Of NLRB Changes On Bad Faith Bargaining [Law360]

April 10, 2024

Daniel Johns authored a Law360 article discussing the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) recent focus on holding employers accountable for bad-faith bargaining.

NLRA Expansion May Come With Risks For Workers [Law360]

January 08, 2024

Daniel Johns authored an article about the rapid expansion of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) coverage and how it affects the workplace.

NLRB GC Brief Portends Hefty Labor Law Transformation [Law360]

September 08, 2023

Daniel Johns authored an article about an April brief filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on behalf of NLRB general counsel Jennifer Abruzzo.

NLRB GC Memos Complicate Labor Law Compliance [Law360]

May 10, 2023

Daniel Johns authored an article discussing the concerns raised by the current National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) General Counsel memos.

How Cos. Can Avoid Sinking In The Union Organizing Storm [Law360]

February 02, 2023

Daniel Johns authored an article about the rise in union organizing and how employers can handle it.

Don't Ignore NLRA When Using Employee Resource Groups [Law360]

November 03, 2022

Daniel Johns authored an article about how employee resource groups (ERGs) have become one of the primary methods employers use to engage employees and increase morale in the workplace.

3rd Circ. Ruling Shows Limits Of Regulating Employer Speech [Law360]

July 29, 2022

Daniel Johns authored an article on the recent decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in FDRLST Media LLC v. National Labor Relations Board.

The TEAM Act Brings Us Back To The Future Again [Law360]

April 26, 2022

Daniel Johns authored an article about the recently introduced Teamwork for Employees and Managers Act (TEAM) — which would legalize employee involvement committees, an employer-friendly alternative to unions.

Labor Arbitration For Virtual Work Issues Can Be Tricky [Law360]

February 01, 2022

Daniel Johns authored an article about how the rise of virtual workplaces during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to confusion for labor arbitrators who need to determine liability for off-duty misconduct.

How Labor Law May Affect Your COVID Vaccine Mandate [Law360]

October 29, 2021

Daniel Johns authored an article discussing labor law considerations surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine mandates in the workplace.

Under Biden, Nonunion Employers Can't Ignore Labor Law [Law360]

August 04, 2021

Daniel Johns authored an article on how the Biden administration impacts nonunion employers.

3 Decisions A Biden NLRB Will Likely Overturn [Law360]

April 26, 2021

Daniel Johns authored an article about the Biden administration's intent to promote and seek passage of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act.

Obama 2.0: What Employers Can Expect From Biden On Labor [Law360]

January 05, 2021

Daniel Johns wrote an article about what the upcoming Biden administration will look like on labor issues.

Employers Must Beware The Coming Union Organizing Storm [Law 360]

October 07, 2020

Daniel Johns wrote an article discussing the risk of union organizing that employers may face at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Practice Areas

Education

  • University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 1995
  • University of Notre Dame, B.A., highest honors, 1992

Awards & Honors

Chambers USA: 2012-2024

Best Lawyers in America 2012-2025

Pennsylvania Super Lawyers 2017-2024

  • Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court -- Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court -- Middle District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court

College of Labor & Employment Lawyers (CLEL) - Fellow

Law360 - Columnist

Leadership Philadelphia - Graduate