Robert S. Hawkins

Member

Robert is a nationally recognized management labor law attorney, representing railroads and non-rail employers in litigation, labor negotiations, arbitration, counseling, and the labor aspects of both regulated and non-regulated transactions. 

Bob's experience includes matters involving the Railway Labor Act, the National Labor Relations Act, the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act, the Federal Railroad Safety Act, and related federal and state laws.  

His experience includes representation before Presidential Emergency Boards, representation of railroads on the labor aspects of some of the largest transactions in North American history, litigation of complex issues before federal courts and agencies, negotiation of multi or single employer collective bargaining agreements, and representation of employers in labor arbitration.

Bob is currently serving as Employer Co-Chair of the ABA’s Committee on the Railway Labor Act.  He also serves as a Senior Editor of the ABA’s treatise The Railway Labor Act.  Bob has practiced Labor and Employment Law for over 40 years. 

Bob has been recognized by Chambers USA as one of the leading U.S. business lawyers and, since 2008, has been recognized in the Labor and Employment Law — Management category of The Best Lawyers in America®.

 

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Experience

News

Best Lawyers Honors More Than 250 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys in Best Lawyers in America 2026 Edition

August 21, 2025

Best Lawyers selected more than 250 Cozen O'Connor lawyers from 26 of the firm's US offices for inclusion in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Best Lawyers Honors More Than 200 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys in its Best Lawyers in America 2025 Edition

August 15, 2024

Best Lawyers selected 242 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

Best Lawyers Honors More Than 200 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys to its Best Lawyers in America 2024 Edition

August 17, 2023

Best Lawyers selected 230 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

More Than 200 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch

August 22, 2022

210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

More Than 205 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch By The Best Lawyers In America

August 19, 2021

Best Lawyers selected 210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Publications

Dealing with Employee Protests and Strikes due to COVID-19 Concerns [Alert]

April 09, 2020

Adam Gutmann discusses what employers should do when employees strike, participate in sickouts, or request PPE or to work from home due to concerns surrounding COVID-19.

Industry Sectors

Education

  • University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1983
  • St. Joseph's University, B.A., summa cum laude, 1980

Awards & Honors

Best Lawyers in America 2008-2026

  • Pennsylvania
  • New York

Honorable Alfred L. Luongo, U.S. District Court -- Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Employer Co-Chair, American Bar Association's Railway and Airline Labor Law Committee