James N. Boudreau

James N. Boudreau is a partner in Reed Smith’s Philadelphia office and a management-side labor and employment lawyer. He represents employers across industries in complex workplace litigation, with a major focus on nationwide class and collective actions. James manages legal teams through discovery, class certification, trial, and appeal. He also handles disputes involving restrictive covenants, confidential information, trade secrets, unlawful termination, executive compensation, employee benefits, and other high-stakes employment matters.

James earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1990 and his B.A. in history, magna cum laude, from Bowdoin College in 1987. His education provided a strong foundation in legal analysis, advocacy, and careful evaluation of complex disputes. This training supports his ability to manage large litigation teams, develop coordinated defense strategies, address detailed factual records, and guide employers through significant legal and business risks.

James has represented employers in wage and hour, discrimination, misclassification, harassment, and trade secret litigation. His experience includes an FLSA collective action before the U.S. Supreme Court, nationwide disputes involving overtime and meal-break policies, and class actions concerning independent contractors and exempt employees. He has also obtained significant relief in a trade secret misappropriation case and defended clients in the food manufacturing, health care, financial services, retail, pharmaceutical, transportation, and waste services industries.

James N. Boudreau has been recognized by Chambers USA, The Legal 500 US, and The Best Lawyers in America for labor and employment litigation and management-side employment work. He is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and a member of the American Bar Association and the Philadelphia Bar Association. His professional service has included leadership with Living Beyond Breast Cancer. James combines national litigation experience, practical judgment, and organized case management to help employers defend complex claims and protect important business interests.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Reed Smith LLP
• Member, American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section
• Member, Philadelphia Bar Association
• Fellow, American Bar Foundation

Licensed State

• Pennsylvania

Education

• University of Minnesota Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Bowdoin College
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges