Thomas M. Tarpy
Columbus Office
Mr. Tarpy is a partner in the Vorys Columbus office and the senior partner of the labor and employment group. His practice involves a full range of labor and employment matters in which he both counsels and represents clients in state and federal courts and before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the U.S. Department of Labor. In addition, Mr. Tarpy serves as general counsel for a group of large multi-employer benefit plans which involves him in ERISA counseling and litigation. He also has a general business practice advising clients on acquisition and disposition of businesses, vendor and customer agreements, and key employee contracts.
Career highlights include:
- Serving as chief spokesman in numerous labor contract negotiations
- Serving as lead counsel in numerous NLRB elections and unfair labor practice proceedings
- Defending dozens of employment lawsuits
- Leading negotiations for the $500 million sale of a major corporation
- Successfully defending an automotive manufacturing company in a unit question case resulting in the defeat of the auto workers’ unions only formal organizing drive
Mr. Tarpy is a member of the American Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, and the Columbus Bar Association.
Mr. Tarpy has been the lead presenter at more than 40 seminar programs over 25 years, speaking on topics which included employment-at-will, National Labor Relations Act issues, wage and hour matters, investigation and litigation of employment discrimination questions, and investigation and compliance with the regulations of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.
Mr. Tarpy received his J.D. from The Ohio State University College of Law and his A.B. from John Carroll University.
Publications
- Manual For Developing and Writing Employment Policies and Company Handbooks, 1991 (Ohio Manufacturers’ Association)
Professional and Community Activities
- Scioto Country Club, President, 2001-2005
- City of Columbus Graphics Commission, Chairman, 1979-1982
- Columbus Bar Association Legal Education Committee, Chairman, 1976-1980
Honors and Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America, Labor and Employment Law, 2006-2008
- Ohio Super Lawyers, Employment and Labor, 2004-2008
- Ohio Management Lawyers Association, Charter Member, 2003-present
- Fellow of The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers since 2000
- Fellow of the Columbus Bar Foundation since 1991