Thomas R. Peak

Thomas Peak received his J.D. from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center. Mr. Peak practices in labor and employment law, including employee benefits litigation (ERISA and COBRA), employment eligibility and certification (under the immigration laws), workers’ compensation (representing management), and OSHA matters. He also represents clients in higher education law. Mr. Peak serves as the chair of the Taylor Porter Personnel Committee.

Mr. Peak is ranked by his peers in Best Lawyers in America in employee benefits (ERISA) law and employment law – management.

Mr. Peak has handled numerous matters in Federal and Louisiana Courts, as well as before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, National Labor Relations Board, United States Department of Labor, OSHA, USCIS, Wage Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Louisiana Civil Service Commission, and Louisiana Workforce Commission. In addition, he has handled matters involving the CDC, U.S. Department of Agriculture (APHIS) and select agent research issues, Title IX issues in higher education, and enforcement actions under IRCA. He has extensive trial experience including litigating bench and jury trials in federal and state courts as lead counsel.

Mr. Peak represents management (including electric utilities, water companies, universities, hospitals, open shop and union contractors, and other businesses) exclusively in collective bargaining related issues including representation, certification and de-certification, negotiation of initial and subsequent collective bargaining agreements with unions, unit clarifications, modifications and determinations, acquisition and sale of entities with existing collective bargaining agreements, grievances and arbitrations, pension fund withdrawals and withdrawal liability issues, and unfair labor practice charges. He has advised employers and assisted with union organization issues including elections, campaigns, objections, and unfair labor practice charges arising out of union organization campaigns.

Mr. Peak represents management in discrimination and retaliation claims under federal and state law, workers compensation and unemployment compensation claims, plant closing, layoff and WARN issues, whistle-blowing and retaliatory discharge claims, and related litigation. Mr. Peak has represented clients in multi-district class action litigation involving genetically modified crops, and he has handled administrative proceedings and litigation involving matters related to promotion, tenure, medical privileges, and employment-related immigration issues with the USCIS. He has also represented clients in employee classification and payment issues, including class actions and collective actions involving wage and overtime claims, and in WARN Act litigation in both the U.S. District Courts and U.S. Bankruptcy Courts.

He is admitted to practice before all Louisiana state courts and agencies, the United States District Courts for the Middle, Eastern, and Western Districts of Louisiana, and the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

• Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center, J.D., 1984
• Louisiana State University, B.A., 1981

• Baton Rouge Bar Association
• Louisiana State Bar Association (Labor and Employment Law Section)
• Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel (LADC) – Chair of Employment Law Committee (July 2021 – June 2023)
• Defense Research Institute (DRI)
• Louisiana Associaiton of Business & Industry (LABI)

• AV Peer Review Rated by Martindale Hubbell
• Best Lawyers in America – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law; Employment Law – Management

• “The X’s and O’s in Labor and Employment Law,” Taylor Porter Labor & Employment Seminar, August 26, 2022
• “Labor Day Updates,” Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel (LADC) Webinar, August 30, 2022
• “What the General Counsel Needs to Know About the COVID Vaccine,” March 25, 2021
• “FLSA Primer for State Employers,” New Library Directors Boot Camp, State Library of Louisiana, 2018 – 2021
• “Overtime/Wage-Hour Rules,” Taylor Porter Labor & Employment Law Seminar, April 27, 2017

• “Forcing the Shot: Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination,” The Baton Rouge Lawyer, Baton Rouge Bar Association, Updated in The Taylor RePorter Legal Blog, August 3, 2021
• “EEOC Issues Updated Guidance: COVID-19 Technical Assistance Publication,” The Taylor RePorter Legal Blog, June 16, 2020
• “New Salary Level for Overtime Exemptions Effective January 1, 2020,” The Taylor RePorter Legal Blog, September 25, 2019
• “Does Your Business Need a Collective-Action Waiver?” Baton Rouge Business Report, June 11, 2018
• “Specifics Remain to be Seen, But Most Expect Significant Labor Law Changes Under President Trump,” Baton Rouge Business Report, April 26, 2017

• Louisiana Veterans Museum Foundation (Board of Trustees)