Profile
Johnine P. Barnes has wide-ranging experience in labor and employment law. She is nationally recognized by the Legal 500 U.S. Guide for her counselling and compliance practice regarding employment laws, including but not limited to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and other federal and state statutes governing employment issues.
In addition, Johnine is recognized by Lawdragon as a Lawdragon Legend, a Leading Lawyer in America, and as a Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyer. She is experienced in litigating and defending employment claims of harassment, retaliation, discrimination, wrongful discharge, and breach of contract, as well as business litigation matters. She has experience handling non-compete agreements and contract disputes, trade secret matters, international disputes, white collar crime claims, property interest disputes and legislative matters.
Concentrations
- Employment litigation (both state and federal courts)
- Employment and labor counseling and compliance
- Business litigation (both state and federal courts)
- Noncompete and trade secrets
- Sports and entertainment
Capabilities
Experience
- Represent clients in employment and complex litigation involving bet the company matters, including claims made against C-Suite executives.
- Conduct employment audits and advise clients on compliance matters, including matters before the Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division and comparable state agencies.
- Represent clients, for-profit and non-profit, in investigation of internal complaints regarding compliance matters and claims made against the clients and/or involving employee misconduct.
- Counsel government contracting clients on labor and employment matters involving OFCCP, Affirmative Action Plans and Service Contract Act issues.
- Represent corporate and non-profits organizations and associations clients in litigation involving board and shareholder disputes.
- Represent media personality in all contract negotiations involving talent and production services, including formation of podcast network.
°The below representations were handled by Ms. Barnes prior to her joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
- Represented foreign sovereign’s interest and defended foreign sovereign in litigation in U.S. District Courts.
- Presided over and advised clients regarding collective bargaining/labor negotiations.
Recognition & Leadership
- Shortlisted, Euromoney, "Women in Business Awards - Labour & Employment Lawyer of the Year," 2024
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2021-2025
- Listed, Chambers USA Guide, 2023-2024
- Listed, Lawdragon
- "Lawdragon Legends," 2024
- "500 Leading Lawyers in America," 2020-2024
- "500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers," 2020-2025
- Honoree, Washington Business Journal, "Diverse Business Leaders," 2023
- Honoree, Washington Business Journal, "Diversity in Business Award," 2023
- Recognized, Lawyers of Color, "Wonderful Women," 2023
- Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers, 2012-2013, 2015-2024
- Listed, Benchmark Litigation, "Labor & Employment Star," 2020-2024
- Listed, The Legal 500 United States, "Labor and Employment," 2013-2016, 2018-2021
- Listed, Lawdragon and Human Resources Executive® magazine, "The Nation's Most Powerful Employment Lawyers - Top 100," 2019
- Recognized, Profiles in Diversity Journal, "Women Worth Watching," 2018
- Team Member, a Law360 "Employment Practice Group of the Year," 2011 and 2013
- Recipient, "Outstanding Outside Counsel of the Year," National Bar Association Commercial Law Section, July 2012
- Listed, Washingtonian Magazine, "40 Top Lawyers Under 40," 2006
- Listed, Kaleidoscope magazine, "40 Under 40"
- Recipient, "Presidential Award," National Bar Association
- Foundation Board Member, University of the District of Columbia School of Law
- Member, Corporate Advisory Board, MasterCorp, Inc.
- Member, American Employment Law Council
- Member, International Women’s Forum, Washington, DC (Executive Committee 2020-2021)
- Membership Committee, 2021-Present
- Special Advisor, American Bar Association Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, 2021-2023
- Steering Committee Member, Employment Law Forum, 2024-Present
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, 2015-Present
- Former Director, Historical Society of the District of Columbia Circuit Board
- Former, General Counsel, District of Columbia Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- Member, District of Columbia
- Bar Board of Governors, 2006-2012
- Member, National Bar Association
- Former Deputy General Counsel and Special Counsel to the President
- Former Co-Chair of the Women's Bar Association of the District of Columbia, Working Mother’s Committee
- Former Commissioner, Northern Virginia Regional Commission
- Past Chair and Former Member, District of Columbia Public Employee Relations Board, a quasi-judicial agency that resolves labor-management disputes between agencies of the District government and labor organizations representing agency employees
- Past President, Prettyman-Leventhal American Inn of Court
Credentials
- J.D., Case Western Reserve University School of Law, 1995
- B.A., Political Science, magna cum laude, with honors, Case Western Reserve University, 1992
- District of Columbia
- Ohio
News, Insights & Events
Johnine is a contributor to the GT L&E Blog 
Johnine is a featured speaker on labor and employment law and litigation issues for the District of Columbia Bar, the American Bar Association Labor and Employment Law Conference, National Bar Association, Corporate Counsel Women of Color, and Minority Corporate Counsel Association. She has also presented on sports-related matters at the American Bar Association Sports & Entertainment Forum Annual Meeting, and the American University Washington College of Law Sports and Entertainment Seminar. She is a frequent speaker on diversity issues with the American Bar Association Labor and Employment Law Conference, National Bar Association and Corporate Counsel Women of Color. She is an instructor of the Court Practice Component of the District of Columbia Bar Course.