You are here  About Theodore Kheel  – An Account by John D.
Feerick*  “Ted Kheel, as a lawyer and citizen, could make sense
of, manage, or resolve just about any dispute known to mankind.”
Theodore W. Kheel has enjoyed a long and illustrious career as a
mediator, arbitrator, and negotiator. Starting his legal career
in 1937, he has been called on by presidents, governors, and
mayors to resolve conflicts between determined opponents, and to
settle thousands of labor, business, and civil rights disputes.
During World War II, he quickly rose to the rank of Executive
Director of the newly formed National War Labor Board in 1944,
managing a staff of 2,500 and hearing 150disputes a week. He
later moved to New York City following World War II to assist
Mayor William O’Dwyer in mediating many post-war labor disputes,
especially those related to automation—the introduction of
technologies that displaced workers. In resolving these post-war
challenges, he and others formed the American Foundation on
Automation and Emp