Richard Swartz, of counsel with the firm, practices with the firm's Employment Law and Commercial Litigation Practice Groups. He represents companies and employers in federal and state court litigation involving claims of race, sex, age, religion, and disability discrimination, sexual and racial harassment, ERISA benefits, retaliation under CEPA, and wrongful termination, and he frequently appears before administrative agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, and the New Jersey Department of Labor. On the traditional labor side, Mr. Swartz represents companies in union organizing campaigns, collective bargaining, and in defense of unfair labor practice charges before the National Labor Relations Board. Mr. Swartz spends a significant portion of his practice working closely with employers on the daily challenges of the workplace. This includes drafting employment policies and handbooks, conducting training sessions, and providing situational specific advice to corporate HR. He is also a frequent lecturer on employment related topics.Mr. Swartz serves on the Board of Directors for the Camden County Partnership for Children, Cerebral Palsy of New Jersey, and the West Jersey Chamber Music Society. Before attending Temple Law School, Mr. Swartz graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music (B.A. in Music 1990) and performed professionally for Philadelphia area orchestras. While performing as a professional musician, Mr. Swartz was elected president of a collective bargaining committee for an orchestra, and he was involved in the union organizing campaign of another orchestra. While attending law school, Mr. Swartz interned for the Honorable Robert S. Gawthrop, III of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Mr. Swartz is a graduate of Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law (J.D., with honors, 1997).