Contact Information
jbishop@mbjlaw.com
Phone: 503-821-0958
Fax: 503-226-6121
Education
J.D. 1985, Columbia University, School of Law
B.A. 1982, with high honors, Michigan State University Phi Beta Kappa
Practice Information
John has devoted his entire legal career to representing labor unions and their members in arbitration, administrative and judicial proceedings. He has proudly advocated for a wide variety of employees, including electrical workers, school and postal employees, retail and grocery workers, bus and truck drivers, food processing workers, health care workers, police officers, firefighters, steelworkers and railway employees. He has handled cases arising under state laws such as Oregon’s Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act and its Fair Dismissal Law for teachers, and cases arising under federal laws such as the National Labor Relations and Railway Labor Acts. John regularly appears before arbitrators and administrative law judges. He also handles cases in the federal and state courts, including at the appellate levels.
Notable Cases
Represented grocery employees’ union in NLRB hearing proving employer violated the rights of employees when it had Union representatives jailed by police.
Won unfair labor practice case before Employment Relations Board for faculty employees against college that committed flagrant violations of its duty to bargain in good faith.
Successfully defended teachers’ right to strike and proved that school district violated teachers’ rights by photographing them and making false accusations about them while they engaged in protected picketing activities.
Obtained reversal of Employment Relations Board decision finding District did not violate law by taking mass deductions from teachers’ paychecks upon their return to work after strike.
Won reversal of Employment Relations Board decision dismissing complaint against employer that had refused to arbitrate association’s grievance.
Professional Organizations/Activities
AFL-CIO Union Lawyers Alliance
Oregon Bar, and Oregon Labor and Employment Relations Association
Relevant Employment
McKanna Bishop Joffe, LLP, managing partner (2001- present)
Bennett Hartman et al., associate (1990-94); partner (1994-2000)
Durham, Drummonds, Smith & Wiser, associate (1988- 1990)
Cohen Weiss and Simon, associate (1985-88)
Cohen Weiss and Simon (New York, NY), law clerk (1983-85)
Admitted to Practice
Oregon State and Federal courts
Various U. S. Courts of Appeal
Publications
“The Duty to Bargain in Good Faith: ORS 243.672(1)(e) and (2)(b),” Labor and Employment Law: Public Sector, Chapter 6, (Oregon State Bar Continuing Legal Education Publication, 2002 Revision), Co- Authored with Elizabeth A. Joffe and Nancy J. Hungerford
Community Activities
First Unitarian Church of Portland, Board of Trustees
Seabeck Conference Center, Board of Directors
Pacific Outrigger Canoe Club
