Karen P. Fernbach

Adjunct Professor
J.D. St. John's University School of Law

Karen P. Fernbach was appointed Regional Director for the Manhattan Region of the National Labor Relations Board in December 2011.  Since her hire by the Board’s New York office in 1977, she has served as Regional Attorney, Supervisory Attorney, Trial Specialist, and Staff Attorney.  She graduated from St. John’s University School of Law in 1977 and immediately commenced her career with the NLRB.  As the Regional Director, Fernbach is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the National Labor Relations Act in the counties of New York, Bronx, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, and Orange.  

Fernbach is also an active member of both the Labor and Employment Sections of the NYS and NYC Bar Associations, Member of the Advisory Board of the Cornell Institute of Labor Relations, Executive Board Member of the Labor and Employment Center of St. John’s School of Law, and Executive Board Member of the Labor & Employment Center of NYU School of Law. She is an Adjunct Professor at both St. John’s University School of Law and Hofstra University School of Law. She has taught Labor Law, Advanced Labor Law, Labor Law-Selected Topics, and Labor & Employment Arbitration. She has lectured before many groups on current issues affecting both labor and management. These organizations have included the Labor Employment Relations Association, Academy of Labor and Employment Lawyers, New York State Bar Association, New York City Bar Association, Practicing Law Institute, the American Conference Institute and Cornell Institute of Labor Relations.