Hunton Employment & Labor Perspectives

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is pleased to announce Ondray T. Harris, former director of the US Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, has joined the firm’s national labor and employment practice as special counsel in Washington.

At the OFCCP, Harris led the agency responsible for ensuring that federal government contractors and subcontractors achieve and maintain compliance with non-discrimination requirements. Previously, he led the Department of Labor’s initiative to assist private industries and states with creating apprenticeship programs and directed the operations of its Employment and Training Administration.

“Ondray will leverage his extensive experience in the government sector to help our clients navigate the ever-changing landscape of labor and employment law,” said Kevin White, co-chair of Hunton Andrews Kurth’s labor and employment group. Practice co-chair Emily Burkhardt Vicente added: “His breadth of knowledge makes him an ideal resource for our clients as we continue to expand our practice nationally.”

Harris’s practice will focus on providing employment advice, counseling and training to clients who could benefit from his exposure to the government agencies that shape and enforce US employment laws. In particular, Harris will advise clients on affirmative action programs and compliance with OFCCP requirements, and he will assist clients with government investigations. He will also be a critical resource for clients facing crisis situations that require swift and strategic action. Harris will complement Hunton Andrews Kurth’s more than 60 labor and employment lawyers nationwide.

Harris served a four-year term as director of the Community Relations Service at the US Department of Justice during the administration of President George W. Bush. Before that, he served as deputy chief of the Employment Litigation Section of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division.

His experience also includes serving as an assistant attorney general for the Commonwealth of Virginia. He received his undergraduate degree from Hampden-Sydney College and his law degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law.