Johan W.E. Maitland
Director
Combining his legal training with his experience working with human resource professionals, John Maitland works with clients to develop solutions that integrate legal compliance, good human resource practices, and strategic alignment with the organization’s mission.
Email: jmaitland@drm.com
Phone: 802-863-2375
Direct: 802-846-8325
| PHYSICAL | MAILING |
| Courthouse Plaza 199 Main Street Suite 600 Burlington, VT 05401-8339 |
PO Box 190 Burlington, VT 05402-0190 |
Strategic counsel creatively solving complex labor and employment challenges.
John Maitland helps clients manage their daily labor relations activities in ways that are consistent with their organizations’ overall labor philosophies. He knows the practical and legal considerations of both non-union and unionized workforces, and he helps employers identify and implement effective solutions to difficult challenges such as responding to allegations of harassment, developing a plan for employees who are unable to return to work, addressing complicated performance issues, or providing proper interpretations of the collective-bargaining agreement.
John also regularly negotiates collective bargaining agreements for numerous regional health care clients, higher education clients, and other entities by collaborating with senior management and negotiation teams to develop effective strategies for negotiations. When the need arises, John provides effective and zealous representation in arbitrations and in front of the National Labor Relations Board.
Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, biking, and Nordic skiing.
Education
Vermont Law School, J.D., summa cum laude; Managing Editor, Vermont Law Review
University of Pennsylvania, B.S. Wharton School, B.A. College of Arts and Sciences, cum laude
Experience
- Worked for a federal contractor with employees at government facilities in four different states to negotiate a single collective bargaining agreement.
- Worked for a food industry client to complete collective-bargaining negotiations despite two failed union ratification votes.
- Successfully defeated union allegations that the union president had been unlawfully disciplined for his status as a union officer by demonstrating to the NLRB that the union president was disciplined for legitimate business reasons, and so the union withdrew the charge.
- Partners with clients to develop customized, successful labor philosophies. Utilizing his own collaborative process, John helps senior management teams develop effective strategies to resolve challenging labor issues.
- Handles complicated separation of employment matters. Employment transitions are a fact of life and John is often called upon by management teams to facilitate a smooth, respectful and efficient transition process, while also minimizing legal risk.
- Regularly provides engaging and interactive presentations for managers on effective labor relations, performance management, sexual harassment, and leaves of absence. Most notably, John regularly trains managers on the effective utilization of the provisions of a collective-bargaining agreement.
Admissions
New York, 2017
Vermont, 1994
Clerkships
Honorable Denise Johnson, Vermont Supreme Court, 1994-1995
Memberships & Activities
SHRM
VHRA
VBA, Labor and Employment Law Section
ABA, Labor and Employment Law Section
Accolades & Awards
2015, 2016 and 2019 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” award for Labor Law – Management, Burlington
Listed in Best Lawyers®, Labor Law – Management, Employment Law – Management, 2012-2024
Chambers USA, since 2004
Community Involvement
United Way of Chittenden County, Board of Directors, 2002-09; Board Chair 2007-09
Visiting Nurses Association of Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties, Board of Directors, 2012 – 2018; Board Chair, 2016-2018
Wake Robin Corporation, Board of Directors, 2019 – current; Board Chair, 2022 – current
COTS, Board of Directors, 2021 – current
Publications
Numerous each year – VHRA, RVHRA, ASHHRA, SHRM
Presentations
Presenter, VHRA; Vermont Legislative Update – July 2023
Presenter, DRM Labor & Employment Seminar; Managing the Out of State Experience – June 2023
Presenter, VT/NH SHRM State Councils; Workplace Legal Update in a Post Pandemic World – 2022
Languages
Dutch