Joon Hwang

jhwang@littler.com
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Joon Hwang

Joon Hwang is a highly accomplished and sought-after management-side employment and labor law litigator and trial attorney, recognized for his strategic acumen, proven track record of success, and cross-border practice spanning national and international jurisdictions.

He serves as the relationship partner to some of the world’s most prominent publicly traded and privately held companies—including Fortune-ranked multinational corporations—providing outcome-driven legal counsel and litigation leadership across a wide range of industries. His client portfolio includes leading entities in healthcare (including virtual care/telehealth, home health, healthcare staffing, well-known hospital systems, and major life sciences and pharmaceutical enterprises); high-growth technology companies (such as “unicorn” startups and “gig economy” businesses); globally recognized fashion and luxury retailers; major government contractors; emerging renewable and clean energy firms; and large-scale construction and real estate developers. 

Joon is renowned for delivering creative yet pragmatic, business-focused solutions to complex workplace issues, devising innovative legal strategies that align with operational and reputational priorities. His legal experience, business intelligence, and ability to communicate seamlessly with boards of directors, C-suite executives, and employees at all levels are rooted in his broad, interdisciplinary background. A skilled and tenacious litigator, Joon is routinely entrusted to lead high-profile and high-stakes matters, including bet-the-company litigation, reputationally sensitive disputes, and cases involving senior executives and board-level scrutiny.

His litigation and counseling experience covers a broad spectrum of intricate employment and labor law matters. Joon regularly advises and defends employers in cases involving employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims; whistleblower and Sarbanes-Oxley issues; executive compensation and contract disputes; and restrictive covenant enforcement, trade secret, and business tort litigation. He also has deep experience navigating wage and hour class and collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and various state laws across the country. Moreover, Joon is a trusted advisor to companies managing the legal and operational challenges of independent contractor misclassification and contingent workforce compliance. 

In addition to his legal practice, Joon is a recognized thought leader and frequent speaker on cutting-edge employment law topics. His insights have been featured in Bloomberg Law, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and other premier industry publications.

Joon leads with a forward-thinking commitment to inclusion, equity, and diversity. As co-chair of Littler’s SOAR Program, he plays a hands-on role in mentoring newly hired attorneys and supporting their allies in building inclusive, diverse, and collaborative teams. His prior service on the firm’s national Diversity and Inclusion Council and his pivotal role in shaping Littler’s award-winning Career Advocacy Program (CAP) underscore his commitment to advancing high-performing talent across the firm.

Prior to joining Littler, Joon clerked for the Hon. James C. Fox of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Credentials & Recognition

Speaking Engagements

New Administration, Contingent Workers Risk Policy Guidance & Expectations

  • April 13, 2021
  • Staffing Industry Analysts Risk Management & Compliance Workshop

How to Handle Sick Employees in the COVID-19 Era

  • May 28, 2020
  • The Institute for Workplace Equality Washington, D.C.

Preparing Your Organization for 2019’s Employment Laws: Renewing Your Focus and Refining Your Approach

  • February 25, 2019
  • Labor & Employment Webinar Series – Littler Mendelson and BB&T

Navigating Ever-Evolving Times: Top Labor and Employment Issues Affecting the Workplace in the U.S. and Korea

  • September 14, 2018
  • International Association of Korean Lawyers (IAKL) Conference

What’s New in Employment Law for 2018: Your Hotel’s Early Check-In

  • February 7, 2018
  • Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA)

New Year, New Focus: Preparing Your Organization for 2018's New Employment Laws

  • February 6, 2018
  • Labor & Employment Webinar Series – Littler Mendelson and BB&T

Best Practices for Conducting Effective Workplace Investigations: Legal Requirements and Practical Considerations

  • November 1, 2017
  • Labor & Employment Webinar Series – Littler Mendelson and BB&T

Effectively Handling Leave and Accommodations Under the ADA, FMLA, and Workers’ Compensation Laws

  • March 15, 2017
  • Virginia Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Conference

Conducting Internal Investigations: Facing New Challenges, Refining Your Techniques, and Avoiding the Common Pitfalls

  • March 14, 2017
  • Virginia Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Conference

Legally Terminating Employees on Leave: The Interplay of the FMLA, ADA, and Workers’ Compensation Laws

  • June 28, 2016
  • Center For Competitive Management (C4CM) Webinar

Navigating the FMLA and ADA Minefields

  • September 16, 2015
  • Labor & Employment Webinar Series – Littler Mendelson and BB&T

Books & Book Chapters

Employment Discrimination Laws and Statutory Rights in Virginia, Chapters 1 and 3

  • The Mid-Atlantic Employer
  • LexisNexis, chapter co-author
  • 2014-2015

Employee Privacy Rights, Chapter 19

  • The National Employer
  • LexisNexis, contributing chapter author
  • 2014-2015

Family and Medical Leave Act, Chapter 15

  • Employment Law in Virginia
  • Virginia CLE Publications, co-author
  • 2014-2016, 2019-2020

Let us know how we can help you navigate your particular workplace legal issues.