Stephen Koppekin — Los Angeles-based Founder and President of Koppekin Consulting, Inc.
Stephen Koppekin, founder and president of Koppekin Consulting, Inc., is a labor and employment professional who has garnered over 43 years of experience in the industry. With a background in law and comparative economics, Stephen has been able to support clients who come to his business, providing comprehensive information and guidance in matters concerning safety issues, contractual negotiations, and other labor-related grievances.
As a youth in northern New Jersey, Stephen Koppekin began working to overcome financial hardship. Stephen worked on the floor of an industrial oil plant until a workplace accident spurred him to reconsider how he lived his life. Wanting to achieve greater things for himself and to pursue higher education, he enrolled at Fairleigh Dickinson University. There, he became head of the Student-Faculty Committee and established the college’s first Economics Journal. After exercising his academic and leadership capabilities, Stephen graduated in 1967 with his B.A. in Economics.
Upon graduating, Stephen stepped into a position analyzing comparative economic systems. While he excelled in his position, he ultimately decided he wanted to further his education and career. Seeking to branch out into law, Stephen applied and was accepted into Rutgers School of Law. There, he worked with law professor and first Director of Conciliation, Alfred W. Blumrosen, where he worked on a case backlog in the New Jersey Division of Civil Rights. Upon working on the backlog, Stephen determined he could streamline the process and effectively trimmed a filer’s “waiting time” from nine months down to forty days. Having successfully arrived at a solution, he decided he could utilize his problem-solving prowess to assist organizations with their processes. Stephen earned his Juris Doctor in 1970.
Stephen Koppekin began working at a small general practice firm after graduation. There, he became versed in handling wills, real estate, and small claims. After six months, Stephen went on to work with the National Labors Relation Board, where he gained experience trying cases. His success led him to CBS, where he began working as an attorney for the company’s law department. At CBS, Stephen became responsible for overseeing employment and labor disputes and collective bargaining negotiations. Having received several promotions during his time spent with the company, Stephen ultimately achieved the position of Vice President in Negotiating Services and Labor Relations.
After thirteen years with CBS, Stephen Koppekin began pursuing his passion for labor and employment matters within the entertainment industry in Los Angeles, California. Stepping into the role of Executive Vice President, Stephen and his team of twelve employees handled complications that arose during the production of feature film and television shows, some of which included labor-related grievances, safety issues, and contracting issues. In addition to overseeing his employees, Stephen also spearheaded over thirty collective bargaining agreements and negotiations.
Shortly after retirement, Stephen founded his own independent consulting business, Koppekin Consulting, Inc., which offers a wide variety of consulting services spanning from labor dispute settlements, employment strategy, New Media Agreement negotiations, and more. Using his professional experience, Stephen provides clients with comprehensive consulting, helping them better understand business and undertake workplace improvements. He prides himself on using his expertise and problem-solving capabilities to bridge relations between employers and employees.
Just as Stephen Koppekin proves an eminent professional within the labor and employment industry, he is also an active philanthropist, giving back to his greater Los Angeles community. Recently, Stephen had earned the title of king — chairman of the board — of The Valley Jesters, which is an organization that sponsors events and social activities and donates the proceeds to youth-centric philanthropic efforts, such as the Junior Blind of America. Stephen is also an active member of the Heartbeat of Hollywood Golf Event Committee, which raises money for the Motion Picture and Television Fund (MPTF). In addition to serving as a longtime member of the Anti-Defamation League, Stephen belongs to the California chapter of the Jewish Federations of North America.
