Kelvin C. Berens

Kelvin (Kelly) Berens is a principal in the Omaha, Nebraska, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He focuses primarily on the most complex labor relations issues, such as alternative dispute resolutions, class actions, and workplace safety.

Kelly's extensive work with clients on such issues as purchases, relocations, sales and shutdowns helps businesses avert problems and develop long-term labor-related strategies and goals. Additionally, Kelly spends a significant portion of every year negotiating collective bargaining agreements with unions across the country. These years of experience have given Kelly two unique skill sets. The first is his ability to negotiate innovative collective bargaining agreements that provide his clients with years of stability and low costs. The second is his understanding of and ability to address the complex issues of pension plans, unfunded liability and the options available to employers that are parties to these plans.

Kelly works with a wide array of employers, from Fortune 500 companies to single-location enterprises, and in locations ranging from small rural communities, to the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. Kelly has represented employers in a wide range of industries from health care and telecommunications to traditional blue collar industries such as trucking and meat packing.

Kelly's record advising employers in union election cases speaks for itself, employers prevail in over 95 percent of the union organizing drives where he provided advice.

Kelly also has one of the more extensive collective bargaining resumes in the nation. He has personally negotiated hundreds of collective bargaining agreements. Some have been simple, most have been complex and multi-faceted. Clients who “want the impossible” call Kelly Berens.

Honors and Recognitions

• The Best Lawyers in America©, "Labor Law - Management" (2021-present)
• Chambers USA, “Labor & Employment” (2009-2018)
• Martindale-Hubbell®, "AV Preeminent® - Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence" (1986-present)
• Great Plains Super Lawyers®, "Super Lawyers" (2009-present)