Fred S. Sommer, Attorney

Fred S. Sommer, Chairman of the Firm's Employment & Labor Practice Group, has nearly 30 years experience representing employers in all aspects of employment and labor relations.  Like many attorneys at the Firm, he joined Shulman Rogers after being a partner for many years at a large national law firm in Washington, D.C.  Since joining the Firm in 1998, Fred has overseen the significant growth of the Employment & Labor Practice Group.

Mr. Sommer represents employers in a wide variety of cases before federal and state trial and appellate courts and administrative agencies, including discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge, breach of contract, wage-hour and other matters.  He has extensive experience litigating cases involving non-compete agreements, trade secrets, unfair competition and related matters.

Mr. Sommer regularly advises management on preventive measures to avoid litigation.  Such advice ranges from day-to-day employment practices and policies to the employment implications and structuring of complex business acquisitions, sales and other significant transactions and decisions.  He conducts investigations of harassment and discrimination claims, as well as employee misconduct.  He provides training programs to management, supervisors and rank-and-file employees on numerous topics.

Mr. Sommer has broad experience in union-related matters.  He regularly represents employers in collective bargaining negotiations, election and unfair labor practice proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board, union organizing campaigns, grievance arbitrations, picketing, strikes and other labor disputes.

Mr. Sommer lectures at programs sponsored by bar committees, law schools, trade associations and others.  He is also active in Firm management, serving on the Firm's Executive Committee for several years as well as its Board of Directors.