John A. Taylor, Professor

Biography

John A. Taylor Professor B.S. Western Michigan University, 1970 J.D. University of Michigan Law School, 1973 Contact by e-mail

Professor Taylor comes to Cooley Law School with an extensive background in general corporate law, employment law and labor relations, and litigation experience in federal and state courts.

Before joining Cooley in 2004, Professor Taylor served as General Counsel and Director of Labor Relations for the Detroit Newspaper Agency, in Detroit, Mich. In this position, held since 1989, Professor Taylor was responsible for all legal activities for the Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press newspapers, as well as the Detroit Newspaper Agency.

Previously, he served as Manager of Labor Relations for The Detroit News (1984-1989); as General Counsel for Cowles Media Company, Minneapolis Star & Tribune Co., Division and the Buffalo Courier-Express Division (1980-1984); Assistant Labor Relations Manager for the Detroit News (1976-1980), and Attorney for the National Labor Relations Board, Region 7 in Detroit (1973-1976).

He was involved in precedent-setting legal issues in the Detroit newspaper strike, handled over 350 cases before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights without an adverse ruling, and brought wage settlements with a coalition of nine unions in millions of dollars under budget.

Professor Taylor also was instrumental in defeating numerous union organizational attempts, negotiated over 100 labor contracts, and successfully negotiated contract changes giving management increased operating flexibility.

He has conducted management workshops on such issues as employment discrimination, wrongful discharge, employee discipline, contract administration, absentee control, management rights, and other labor relations issues.

Bibliography

• Articles
• Presentations

Articles

John A. Taylor, 2006-2007 Survey of Michigan Law: Commercial and Contract Law, 54 Wayne L. Rev. 85 (2008).

John A. Taylor, The Detroit Newspaper Strike: A Template for Employers on Preparing for and Operating During a Labor Strike, 59 Lab. L.J. 166 (2008).

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Presentations

John A. Taylor, Presentation, Legal Aspects of Employment (Oakwood Hospital Management Seminar, February 14, 2006).

John A. Taylor, Speaker, The Detroit Newspaper Strike, 1995 – 1997, (Wayne State University, Fall 2005).

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