Colin Barnacle is a Denver labor and employment attorney and focuses his practice on labor and employment compliance counseling, corporate governance counseling and investigations, and employment litigation. Mr. Barnacle has substantial knowledge of systemic discrimination in the contexts of both the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). He regularly advises and defends clients in response to EEOC and OFCCP systemic discrimination investigations related to employment practices (pre-employment tests, hiring, promotions, compensation and terminations), and assists clients in responding to EEOC systemic investigations, subpoena requests for employment-related data, and class action litigations related thereto.

Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Barnacle served as the head of global labor and employment and vice president of human resources for a major international manufacturer of power transmission belts and fluid power products, and head of global labor and employment for a leading national consumer packaged food and beverage company. In these in-house roles, Mr. Barnacle provided daily advice and counsel to human resources and other business leaders on U.S. and international labor and employment and corporate governance issues, and partnered with corporate leadership to design and implement programs to ensure regulatory compliance and prevent labor and employment issues.

Mr. Barnacle is also highly experienced in regards to the interplay between the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and state workers compensation laws; the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and state wage and hour compliance issues; and Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA) compliance. He provides clients with analysis of statistical adverse impact issues in layoffs and reductions in force, as well as counsel on Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) Act compliance during mass layoffs and employee-related issues surrounding corporate transactions. Mr. Barnacle has represented employers in all aspects of employment law before state and federal agencies and courts, including Title VII discrimination and sexual harassment, ADA, FLSA, FMLA, wrongful termination, non-compete and breach of contract claims.

Additionally, Mr. Barnacle regularly advises clients in connection with employee terminations, disciplinary actions, policy implementation, internal investigations and assists clients in drafting policies, handbooks, contracts and other employment-related agreements. He has provided in-person legal and practical training programs around the world to company leaders, managers and employees regarding discrimination, harassment, investigations, documentation skills and practices, ethics, anti-corruption concerns and other key issues.