Joe Cleary has deep roots in the union movement. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Joe worked in the union movement as an officer of United Auto Workers Local 1612 for over 20 years. He held various positions in the local union and was elected shop steward when he was 18 years old. Joe was a full-time Shop Chairman for the local for over 15 years. Joe graduated from St. Joseph’s University and Temple University Law School where he attended night school while holding his elected union office position and working at his plumber’s job at a Philadelphia automobile part manufacturing plant.
Joe was a partner at a prominent labor firm before forming Cleary & Josem LLP. He is now a member of the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York bars, as well as of the federal and appellate courts in these states.
In addition to representing labor unions, Joe represents numerous health and pension funds, providing advice and counsel on a variety of matters ranging from plan drafting to deadlock issues.
