Be Well, Do Good Work, and Keep in Touch
I’ve borrowed Garrison Keillor’s sign-off from his Writer’s Almanac as a way of bidding farewell for a while. It’s hard to imagine life without blogging, but I’ll just have to get used to it. I’ve been asked to become General Counsel and Vice President of Human Resources of the newly created CraftWorks Restaurants and Breweries, Inc.
CraftWorks is a merger of Gordon Biersch Restaurants, Rock Bottom Restaurants, Old Chicago Restaurants, and specialty brand restaurants, including Big River Grille; Ragtime Tavern, Seafood and Grill; Seven Bridges; A1A Ale Works; Bluewater Grille; ChopHouse; Walnut Brewery; and Rhythm & Brews. I didn’t seek this position, but I’m quite excited by the opportunity to be part of the executive team of an entity that should have a bright future.
While I think it’s fine for someone in the private practice of law to have a blog, I don’t think the same holds true for a General Counsel or an executive team member of a corporate entity. It’s too easy for one’s personal views to get mixed up with the company’s views. Thus, I’ve decided it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to continue blogging.
I began The Word on Employment Law in November, 2007. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it; made new friends, most of whom I’ve never met; and become familiar with numerous blogs I hadn’t known about before.
When I started this blog, I had no idea it would often deal with employment law in the context of pop culture (instead of employment cases and legislation only). I also had no idea that it would evolve into something a bit quirky (think Man Gene). I’ve just sort of gone with the flow of ideas that popped into my head.
I greatly appreciate the comments, suggestions and criticisms I’ve received, as well as the private emails. I also appreciate what I’ve learned from fellow bloggers. I wish I had given them more recognition. I have occasionally linked to their posts, and I’ve always been honored when they have linked to mine.
Fortunately, some of my former partners at Miller & Martin (Jimmy Daniel, Ian Leavy, Joseph McCoin, and Chris Parker) who practice labor and employment law have agreed to assume responsibility for The Word on Employment Law going forward. I’m confident their blogging will be more substantive and practical than mine has been. I have every expectation they will provide blog posts on current labor and employment issues that are valuable to readers of this blog.
I may return to this blog or perhaps create a new one sometime in the future. I hope so. For now, I wish all of you the best of luck; I offer my sincere thanks for your support; and happy trails.
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About Chris Parker
Chris Parker's practice focuses on the representation and counseling of companies in matters pertaining to the workplace and the protection of their intellectual property and trade secrets. In addition to serving as an advocate for clients, Mr. Parker is also trained as a mediator and frequently serves as a third-party neutral.
Read more about Chris Parker
About Jimmy Daniel
Jimmy Daniel provides counseling to businesses of all sizes related to the employment relationship. He assists in the drafting of employment agreements, policies, and handbooks, as well as provides guidance related to compliance with federal, state, and local legislation such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Read more about Jimmy Daniel
About Larry Bridgesmith
While serving in an Of Counsel relationship with the firm, Mr. Bridgesmith also serves as the Executive Director at the Institute for Conflict Resolution at Lipscomb University and as an officer and principal in Strategic Resolutions Group, LLC. In these roles, Mr. Bridgesmith brings over 30 years of legal experience in dispute resolution and innovative workplace strategies to clients, students and business entities alike.
Read more about Larry Bridgesmith
As a relatively new employment law blogger, I’ve had a lot of fun seeing what others in the field are doing. This has been one of my favorite blogs on the subject (I seem to recall some HR Hero affiliation though?). Best of luck John! As a former DC resident I have fond memories of Gordon Biersch and Rock Bottom. I’m sorry to see you leaving the blogosphere though. Good luck!
I am truly sorry to see you leave the blogosphere John. I am sure you will be an asset to your new employer, and hope you like the work there. Take care.
Nae
John,
Everyone here at M. Lee Smith Publishers wishes you the best of luck in your new endeavor. We’re sorry to see you leave the blog behind, but are excited for you as move into this next phase of your professional life. We have truly enjoyed the wit and wisdom you have shared on “The Word on Employment Law” and look forward to working with you again in the future.
Best of luck,
Dan
Congratulations on your new position. Sad to see you leaving the blogosphere!
From a relatively quiet reader, I’ve really enjoyed your writing. Best of luck in a challenging position!
Congratulations!! You will certainly be missed. I read your blogs daily and have put a lot of your information to good use.
John, congratulations on your new adventure. Looks like they will have you hopping with all the merging and consolidations and in the restaurant industry no less.
Along with many others, it is sad for us to see you go. You have been a mainstay. I hope that you will let me know where you can be found.
I can always be reached at eclectipundit@gmail.com or eclecticity57@yahoo.com. Love to hear from you once you get settled in.
All the very best to you and yours my friend. Sincerely and with respect, Doug Fine
John – Congratulations. What an exciting opportunity. Please stay in touch.
Kurt
John,
Congratulations!
You will, of course, do an excellent job and it should be a lot of fun. Please don’t drop off of the radar screen. You have a legion of readers and friends who are wishing you all the best.
Best regards,
Michael
John,
Congratulations!
Your new job sounds exciting. Please know that you have the best wishes of a legion of readers and friends.
Take care and keep in touch.
Best regards,
Michael
Good luck to you, John… This explains why they closed our nearest Old Chicago – they had to stockpile some cash to bring you on board!
Congratulations and thanks for all the good posts! (long time listener, first time caller).
For all you congratulations and best wishes, I’m very grateful. I wish all of you the best.
John
John,
Thanks for the years of good posts. Although I haven’t commented, I have been a loyal reader and you will be missed. Good luck in the new endeavors! I will support that by visiting Big River and A1A Aleworks if the opportunities present themselves.
A
Amy,
Thanks very much. I hope that you will indeed visit Big River and A1A Aleworks.
John
Before I’m completely out of here, I should say special thanks to Nae, Dan O, Dan S, E, Kurt, Michael and Frank for your many comments and other words of encouragement in the past. Knowing that you were reading The Word regularly helped make blogging something I always looked forward to.
John
I certainly am happy to add my best wishes for your new endeavor, and my regret at our losing you here. I hope along with you that we will see you again here or in a new blog in the future.
I also am sure that your successors on this blog will prove fully worthy of your confidence in them, Nevertheless, I will just as surely miss your sure-footed and insightful view of the terrain you covered so well for so long.
Best wishes to you!
Jim,
Thanks very much. I have long admired your blog and everything else you do. You have frequently given me an idea that has resulted in a post.
Take care and Happy Thanksgiving.
John
I see that no one has ppicked up your blog. You are missed when I don’t read your blog each day. Hope you are enjoying new job.
Mary,
Thanks for your kind words. It will start again soon.
The new job is challenging and fun, sometimes more challenging than fun. But it’s a nice change of pace.
Thanks again.
John
John,
Somehow I missed your farewell. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog these past few years, and I can tell you that the labor & employment blogosphere is worse off now that you are no longer a part of it. Best of luck with this next chapter of your career. Please stay in touch.
Jon Hyman
John,
I should have added – anything you can do to get Rock Bottom re-opened in Cleveland would be much appreciated. It was our go-to spot whenever my family would come downtown for lunch. It was one of only a small handful of restaurants downtown that had a menu for my kids. Again, best of luck.
Jon,
Thanks for your note. I have regularly read your blog and will continue to do so, as it is excellent. I’m glad we were able to meet via our blogging efforts, and to the extent possible, I hope we can stay in touch.
No guarantees, however, on the re-opening of RB in Cleveland.
Thanks, too, for the numerous times you have linked to one of my posts.
John
Congratulations on the new position! It sounds like a fun adventure. I hope you will return to the blogosphere one day.
April,
Good to hear from you. Hope you are doing well.
It’s definitely been an adventure so far.
My plan is to return to the blogosphere one day, but by that time, there may not even be a blogosphere.
John