Lawyer Profile

Image of T. Merritt Bumpass, Jr.

T. Merritt Bumpass, Jr.

Frantz Ward LLP
"Merritt has a wealth of experience which he utilizes to provide sound and pragmatic counsel. He also understands and respects our corporate culture. As a result, he consistently provides guidance that is not only legally compliant, but also suits our culture and values. Merritt is customer-focused, extremely responsive and is never "pushy" in any way. He is a well-rounded attorney that I would highly recommend."
"Merritt has handled Labor matters for me for over 15 years. I do not know another attorney who is more responsive to the client. In a world of lawyers who don't return calls, Merritt is a light in the wilderness. "
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Lawyer Bio

Merritt successfully defends employers in a wide variety of employment lawsuits and labor disputes in courts and agencies around the country. These lawsuits and disputes have included discrimination cases, contract violation claims and injunction actions. Agency disputes have included numerous hearings before the National Labor Relations Board, both as to representation petitions and unfair labor practice charges. He has also successfully defended employers in hundreds of labor arbitrations. Merritt also regularly represents employers in negotiating collective bargaining agreements.

Merritt counsels and advises employer representatives on how to comply with the very complex field of employment and labor laws and regulations.

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Education:

  • Wake Forest University, J.D.

Bar Admissions:

  • Ohio, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio and Southern District of Ohio
  • United States, Supreme Court of the U.S.
  • Ohio, Supreme Court of Ohio
  • North Carolina, Supreme Court of North Carolina
  • Ohio, State of Ohio
  • North Carolina, State of North Carolina
 

Court Admissions:

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit and Military
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio and Southern District of Ohio

Affiliations:

  • Association of Graduates, U.S. Military Academy - Member
  • Cleveland Employment American Inn of Court - Member
  • Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association - Member
  • North Carolina Bar Association - Member
  • Ohio Management Lawyers Association - Member

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for work in:

  • Employment Law - Management
  • Labor Law - Management
 

Awards:

  • Named to Chambers USA: America’s Guide to Leading Lawyers for Business in the area of Labor and Employment (2009-2017)
  • Named to the Ohio Super Lawyers list (2005-2017)
  • Named to The Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Employment Law-Management and Labor Law-Management (2007-2018)
  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated—Martindale-Hubbell
  • Wake Forest Law Review—Comments Editor
  • Recipient of the Babcock Scholarship from Wake Forest University School of Law
  • Named to The Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Litigation-Labor and Employment (2019)
  • Named to the Ohio Super Lawyers list (2018)
  • Named to the Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars list (2006; 2009; 2011)
  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated—Martindale-Hubbell
  • Selected as a Fellow in the Trial Lawyer Honorary Society, Litigation Council of America (2010-Present)

Areas of Expertise:

  • Employment
  • Labor
  • Management
 

Lawyer Client Comments

"Merritt has a wealth of experience which he utilizes to provide sound and pragmatic counsel. He also understands and respects our corporate culture. As a result, he consistently provides guidance that is not only legally compliant, but also suits our culture and values. Merritt is customer-focused, extremely responsive and is never "pushy" in any way. He is a well-rounded attorney that I would highly recommend."

"Merritt has handled Labor matters for me for over 15 years. I do not know another attorney who is more responsive to the client. In a world of lawyers who don't return calls, Merritt is a light in the wilderness. "

"Merritt is bright, fun to work with and effective. He remains closely involved even when subordinates are doing the heavy lifting. He is superbly ethical and listens to clients rather than pontificating. Merritt is sensitive to costs and cautions against unnecessary work. He will move heaven and earth to meet clients' objectives, but will also tell the client when it simply cannot be done."

Laurance Nowak, Sajar Plastics/Morgenthaler, Middlefield

"Mr. Bumpass is very responsive to client needs and shows genuine interest in understanding the goals and objectives set by the client in a "real" business environment, as opposed to some attorneys who believe it is their job to lecture clients on the precise nature of the law and advise any deviation or interpretation is ill-advised."

Marjorie Conner, The Davey Tree Expert Company, Kent

"Mr. Bumpass provides a well-seasoned and thoughtful counsel. He is respected nationally. He is personally responsive and highly committed to client relationships. He has excellent skills in counsel and negotiation."

"T. Merritt Bumpass takes a practical approach in providing sound legal advice. He always has up-to-date legal opinions."

Albert Tusek, Jr., The Babcock & Wilcox Company, Barberton

"Though we recognize that Merritt Bumpass is one of the most in-demand attorneys in town, he is very accessible, ready, and willing to provide legal assistance to our firm. He is one of the most experienced and well-respected employment law and labor attorneys in northeast Ohio."

Firm Details

Image for Frantz Ward LLP View Firm Profile
Frantz Ward LLP
http://www.frantzward.com
 
Headquarters
200 Public Square, Suite 3000
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 515.1660