Richard G. Poulson

Richard G. Poulson has been representing labor unions since the inception of his career. His practice includes collective bargaining, interest and grievance arbitration and employment-related litigation. Rick specializes in advising and representing police, fire, paramedic and other uniformed employees regarding municipal affairs and public employment.

Hailing from a proud labor tradition – his father was a Philadelphia firefighter and his mother was a teacher – Rick’s labor advocacy helps unions improve the lives of working families in areas such as safe working conditions, occupational injury and illness and political action. Utilizing the collective bargaining process, including interest arbitration, Rick and his colleagues have secured groundbreaking safe-staffing, training and equipment protections for firefighters, paramedics and other public safety workers throughout Pennsylvania. Rick is also adept at directing multifaceted campaigns to obtain legal protections for workers who have become sick or injured at work. The campaigns, which involve negotiation, litigation, legislative initiatives and public relations efforts, have benefited a wide range of union members, from firefighters stricken with Hepatitis C or occupational cancers to private-sector workers facing the long-term effects of asbestos exposure.

In addition to his busy practice, Rick lectures and trains labor organizations and attorneys nationwide on utilizing state-of-the-art methods to secure improved safety and health protections for public safety workers. He has instructed at the AFL-CIO Lawyers’ Coordinating Committee Educational Seminar, American Arbitration Association Arbitrator Education Series, Pennsylvania State University Labor Education Program, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Union Leadership Academy and the Pennsylvania State University OSHA Institute, to name just a few organizations.

Rick earned his B.A. from La Salle University, having attended on an academic scholarship. He excelled as a law student at Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, where in addition to graduating cum laude, he was the associate editor of the Journal of Contemporary Health Law and Policy, vice-chancellor of the Moot Court Association and president of the ABA Law Student Division.

Education

• Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, J.D., Cum Laude, 1997
• La Salle University, B.A., 1992

Experience

• Willig, Williams & Davidson, Associate, 1998-2004; Partner, 2005-Present
• Schwarzwald & Rock, Associate, 1997-1998
• Laborers’ International Union of North America, Law Clerk, 1996-1997

Court Admissions

• Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1997
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1999

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association, 1998-Present
• Pennsylvania Bar Association, 1998-Present
• Philadelphia Bar Association, 1998-Present

Honors

• Best Lawyers in America, 2012
• Pennsylvania Rising Star published by Super Lawyers, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

Speaking Engagements

• “Navigating the FMLA and ADA: Practical Tips for Union Representatives,” International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Pennsylvania State Council, York, Pa., 2009
• “Interest Arbitration In A Nutshell,” American Arbitration Association, Philadelphia, Pa., 2009
• “Law & The Workplace: A Guide for Union Representatives,” United Steelworkers of America, Lansdale, Pa., 2009
• “Navigating the FMLA and ADA: Practical Tips for Union Representatives,” United Food & Commercial Workers Union, Hershey, Pa., 2009
• “Grievances and Arbitration for Police Labor Organizations,” Pennsylvania State Fraternal Order of Police Educational Conference, Bensalem, Pa., 2009
• “Contract Negotiations and Interest Arbitration: Best Practices for Firefighters,” Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association, Scranton, Pa., 2009
• “Law & The Workplace: A Guide for Union Representatives,” National Association of Security, Police and Special Police Officers, Washington, D.C., 2008
• “Handling the 800-Pound Gorilla – Benefits in Collective Bargaining,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2009 Labor Law Symposium, Philadelphia, Pa., 2008
• “Law & The Workplace: A Guide for Union Representatives,” IAMAW, Tobyhanna, Pa., 2008, 2007
• “Just Cause and Employee Discipline,” IAMAW, York, Pa., 2008
• “A Union Representative’s Guide to Workplace Violence Issues,” Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union, Philadelphia, Pa., 2008
• “Sexual Harassment: A Guide for Union Representatives,” United Food & Commercial Workers Union, Philadelphia, Pa., 2008
• “Interest Arbitration and Collective Bargaining: Best Practices for Firefighters,” Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association, Pittsburgh, Pa., 2007
• “Law & The Workplace: A Guide for Union Representatives,” IAMAW Pennsylvania State Conference, York, Pa., 2007
• “Union’s Guide to Workplace Violence & Work-Related Injuries,” IAMAW Local 1842, Franklin, Pa., 2006
• “Law & The Workplace: A Guide for Union Representatives,” BCTMW Local 6, Philadelphia, Pa., 2006
• “Navigating the ADA & the FMLA: Practical Tips for Union Representatives,” PA AFL-CIO – Penn State Occupational & Health Institute, Happy Valley, Pa., 2006
• “Interest Arbitration: Health & Safety Issues for Firefighters,” Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association, Harrisburg, Pa., 2006
• “Harassment in the Workplace: Law, Policy & Best Practices,” UFCW Local 1776, Philadelphia, Pa., 2006

Articles & News

• Pennsylvania Courts Continue to Protect Post-Retirement Employee Benefits
  March 12, 2012
• Willig, Williams & Davidson Successfully Advances Worker "Occupational Disease" Claims
  March 9, 2012
• Federal Judge Rejects City of Harrisburg's Bankruptcy Petition
  December 6, 2011
• Labor and Employment Attorney Richard Poulson Speaks about PA Supreme Court Ruling for Firefighters' Rights in The Philadelphia Inquirer
  November 30, 2011
• The Legal Intelligencer Interviews Attorney Richard Poulson about PA Supreme Court Ruling for Firefighters' Pension Rights
  November 30, 2011
• Pennsylvania Supreme Court Bolsters Public Workers' Pension Rights
  November 29, 2011
• State Supreme Court Restores Costly Pension Benefit for Erie Firefighters
• NLRB, Employer Studies Analyze Increase in Social Media Workplace Disputes
  September 19, 2011
• Nine Willig, Williams & Davidson Lawyers Included in U.S. News & World Report Best Lawyers in America 2012
  September 13, 2011
• Pennsylvania Legislature Passes Bill Designating Cancer an Occupational Disease for Firefighters
  July 8, 2011
• Willig, Williams & Davidson Attorney Richard Poulson Comments on Philadelphia Firefighters Study
  October 20, 2010
• Pennsylvania Labor Lawyer Richard Poulson Quoted Regarding Philadelphia's DROP Pension Benefit
  September 8, 2010
• Labor Law Attorney John Bielski Quoted on Erie Pennsylvania Union Case
  March 16, 2010
• Pennsylvania Labor Lawyer Richard Poulson Quoted in The Philadelphia Inquirer Regarding Firefighters
  January 12, 2010