Overview
John (Jack) Lord, Jr. is a partner and litigation lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP and is co-chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice. He focuses his practice on employment litigation and arbitration cases and has tried matters ranging from breach of contract, disability and national-origin discrimination claims to pregnancy and FMLA claims. He works with private and public employers in matters involving labor and employment law compliance. Jack regularly defends employers in class and collective action lawsuits. He has defended numerous entities that operate “public accommodations” against claims under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. His clients operate in a wide range of industries, including many in the health care arena.
Jack has negotiated labor contracts and defended employers in union arbitrations. His administrative work includes defending claims before OSHA, the NLRB, and the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor. He also litigates and advises on trade secret, non-compete and other restrictive covenants as a member of Foley’s Trade Secret/Noncompete Specialty Practice.
Jack is co-chair of Foley’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Allies Affinity Group and is a member of the National LGBT Bar Association.
Community Engagement
In addition to his professional practice, Jack is very involved in community activities. His list of pro bono and civic activities includes serving as Guardian ad Litem for abused and neglected children in Miami-Dade County; past board president of the Orlando Shakespeare Theater; past board of trustees member of the Legal Aid Society; past president of the board of directors for the Hope and Help Center, an AIDS resource network; and past president of the nominating board of the City of Orlando.
Recognition
John was selected as a “Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyer” by Lawdragon (2022).
Jack has been peer review rated as AV Preeminent®, the highest performance rating in the Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ system.
Jack has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the fields of Employment Law – Management (2020 - 2023) and Litigation – Labor and Employment (2021 - 2023).
Jack was selected for inclusion in the Florida Super Lawyers® lists (2006 - 2019).
In 2019, Jack was named as one of South Florida Business Journal’s 2019 Business of Pride “Outstanding Voices,” that recognizes outstanding LGBTQ individuals who make a difference in advancing equality in the business world.
In 2013, Jack was selected by the Legal Aid Society Board of Trustees as a recipient of the Guardian ad Litem Award of Excellence.
Jack received the Orlando Business Journal’s "40 under 40" award in 2005, which is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to their professions and communities.
In 1997, he received Foley & Lardner's Lynford Lardner Community Service Award in recognition of his volunteer work and civic involvement.
Education
Jack received his J.D. from Duke University School of Law in 1994 and his undergraduate degree in 1990 from the University of Florida, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
Admissions and Professional Memberships
Jack is admitted to The Florida Bar.