JessicaKastin

Partner

New York + 1.212.326.3923

For more than 20 years, Jessica Kastin has advised employers on complex labor and employment matters. She focuses on issues arising under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and regularly handles collective bargaining negotiations, union elections and representation proceedings, unfair labor practice charges, grievance arbitrations, and strike preparation. She also counsels clients on day-to-day employment issues arising under federal, state, and local law.

Jessica has been recognized repeatedly by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America, and The Legal 500 US. Clients describe her as "extremely knowledgeable, really thoughtful and really smart" and report that she is "a very experienced traditional labor lawyer" who "provides invaluable advice on significant matters."

She works closely with clients in various industries on identifying and achieving critical business objectives through collective bargaining negotiations. Notably, in 2016, Jessica represented Verizon in connection with a seven-week strike involving approximately 36,000 employees. In addition to providing strategic collective bargaining advice, she obtained a rare injunction under Section 10(l) of the NLRA enjoining the union's unlawful secondary activity targeted at hotels in New York housing workers during the strike. And, in 2021, Jessica represented the Hunts Point Terminal Market in connection with a one-week strike involving approximately 1,400 employees and related collective bargaining negotiations.

Jessica also has a robust transactional practice and has assisted on more than a hundred completed transactions. She frequently advises on complex labor and employment matters arising in high-value mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures representing clients such as ABM, Alcoa, Bally's Corporation, EagleTree Capital, Eastman Chemical, General Electric, J.F. Lehman, Morgan Stanley, and Verizon.

Experience

  • Evoqua merges with Xylem in $7.5 billion all-stock transactionJones Day advised Evoqua Water Technologies Corp. (NYSE: AQUA) in its $7.5 billion stock-for-stock merger with Xylem Inc. (NYSE: XYL).
  • Ansys acquires DiakoptoJones Day is advising Ansys in the acquisition of Diakopto, a provider of differentiated EDA solutions to accelerate integrated circuit (IC) development.
  • VSE sells Federal and Defense business to Bernhard Capital PartnersJones Day is advising VSE Corporation in the sale of its Federal and Defense business to Bernhard Capital Partners for up to $100 million in total cash consideration.
  • Cortec Group portfolio company acquires RCI Metalworks LLCJones Day represented Cortec Group's portfolio company Enthusiast Auto Holdings, LLC in the acquisition and financing of RCI Metalworks LLC ("RCI Off Road" or "RCI"), a leading banner for off road enthusiasts looking to take their vehicles to the next level in off road performance.
  • EagleTree Capital acquires PRA EventsJones Day represented EagleTree Capital in connection with its acquisition of PRA Events, Inc., a leading business event management firm, from CI Capital Partners.
  • J.F. Lehman & Company backed NorthStar Group acquires Trans Ash Inc.Jones Day advised NorthStar Group, a portfolio company of J.F. Lehman & Company, in the acquisition and financing of Trans Ash Inc., a leading provider of coal ash (or coal combustion residuals) services to utilities customers across North America.
  • General Electric completes spinoff of GE Healthcare businessJones Day served as labor and employment counsel to General Electric Company in its spinoff of GE HealthCare.
  • Sonepar acquires NEDCO SupplyJones Day represented Sonepar, a global market leader in B-to-B distribution of electrical products, in its acquisition of NEDCO Supply, a full-line distributor of electrical products and services operating throughout southern Nevada.
  • Agence France-Presse reaches successor collective bargaining agreement with the News GuildJones Day served as lead negotiator on behalf of Agence France-Presse in its collective bargaining negotiations for a successor agreement with the Washington-Baltimore News Guild covering approximately 100 employees.
  • Hard Rock International acquires The Mirage Las Vegas Hotel and CasinoJones Day represented Hard Rock International (Hard Rock) on the acquisition of The Mirage Las Vegas Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas from MGM Resorts International.
  • Timken acquires GGB Bearing Technology for $305 millionJones Day advised The Timken Company in the $305 million acquisition of GGB Bearing Technology (GGB), a division of Enpro, Industries (including exclusive negotiations with respect to the French operations of GGB).
  • Nordson Corporation acquires CyberOptics CorporationJones Day advised Nordson Corporation in the acquisition of CyberOptics Corporation, a leading global developer and manufacturer of high-precision 3D optical sensing technology solutions.
  • Avient divests distribution business to H.I.G. CapitalJones Day advised Avient Corporation in the $950 million sale of its Distribution business to an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital.
  • Centre Lane Partners acquires personalization business of Kibo Software, Inc.Jones Day advised Centre Lane Partners, LLC in the acquisition and financing of the personalization business of Kibo Software, Inc., a market leader in modern, omnichannel commerce and a platform company of Vista Equity Partners.
  • J.F. Lehman & Company acquires USA EnvironmentJones Day advised J.F. Lehman & Company in the acquisition by portfolio company, ENTACT, LLC, of USA Environment, LP and its affiliates.
  • EagleTree Capital acquires MacKenzie-Childs from Castanea PartnersJones Day advised EagleTree Capital in the acquisition and financing of MacKenzie-Childs, the artisan-driven American heritage home decor brand, from Castanea Partners.
  • Avient acquires DSM Protective Materials businessJones Day advised Avient Corporation (NYSE: AVNT), a leading provider of specialized and sustainable material solutions, in the $1.485 billion acquisition and financing of Koninklijke DSM N.V.’s protective materials business, a leading specialty engineered materials business built around the invention of Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber.
  • Owens Corning acquires Natural PolymersJones Day advised Owens Corning (NYSE: OC) in the acquisition of Natural Polymers, LLC, an innovative manufacturer of spray polyurethane foam insulation for building and construction applications.
  • Sensata Technologies acquires DynapowerJones Day advised Sensata Technologies (NYSE: ST), a leading industrial technology company and provider of sensor-rich solutions and insights for customers, in connection with its acquisition of Dynapower Company, LLC, a leading provider of energy storage and power conversion systems, from private equity firm Pfingsten Partners for $580 million in cash.
  • American Industrial Partners portfolio company Vertex merges with VectrusJones Day advised Vertex Aerospace, a portfolio company of American Industrial Partners, in its stock-for-stock merger with Vectrus, Inc. (NYSE: VEC), at an implied value for Vertex of approximately $2.1 billion.
  • Speaking Engagements

    • January 27, 2017
      What Can Practitioners Expect From A Trump Board? New York State Bar Association Labor & Employment Section 2017 Annual Meeting
    • September 2014
      2014 Labor & Employment Seminar - New York
    • December 13, 2012
      What to Expect From the NLRB During President Obama's Second Term: Impact on Both Union and Non-Union Workplaces
    • April 12, 2011
      Jones Day Railway Labor Act Symposium