Labor & Employment: Georgia

THE FIRM There is little doubt among market sources that Alston & Bird is a top-tier firm. It offers clients a considerable breadth of expertise, with the Atlanta office housing 20 attorneys focused on labor and employment counseling and litigation work. The firm particularly excels in complex disputes, a prime example being its representation of UPS in a long-running ADA class action case involving thousands of UPS employees. Other notable clients include Imerys, Prudential Financial and The Wendy's Company.

Sources say: "Alston & Bird has an excellent depth of practice, and its attorneys are very responsive."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Steve Ensor is a hugely accomplished attorney with a broad base of expertise. He acts for management clients on traditional labor relations and affirmative action plans, and is especially strong on employment litigation matters.

Thomas Kilpatrick excels in labor relations work, from negotiating collective bargaining agreements to representing employers in unfair labor practice trials.

Interviewees single out department head Lisa Cassilly as a "very smart, very tough attorney" who "quickly gets up to speed on complex matters." Her practice has an emphasis on employment litigation.

Clare Draper is "very responsive and offers advice which is not just legally appropriate but also takes into account our business considerations," say clients. He is currently defending Global Payments against a discrimination lawsuit.

Glenn Patton has established a strong reputation for his employment litigation practice, and worked closely with Steve Ensor to advise UPS on the aforementioned nationwide ADA class actions.

Charles Morgan is well versed in OSHA matters. His body of work includes acting as lead counsel for Imperial Sugar following its 2008 sugar refinery explosion.

Robert Riordan is a talented litigator, with experience across wage and hour class actions, discrimination litigation, and retaliation and whistle-blower claims.

THE FIRM This firm impresses with its excellent responsiveness and geographic reach. In Atlanta, the team regularly acts on both local and national matters, from defending multiplaintiff FLSA cases to advising on wage and hour collective actions. The firm's prestigious client base comprises a number of Fortune 500 companies, including Coca-Cola, Rite Aid and The Home Depot.

Sources say: "A fantastic group."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Craig Cleland cochairs the firm's class and collective action group and is an expert in the field. He recently advised Fastenal as it faced a putative nationwide collective and class action alleging violations of wage and hour laws.

Margaret Campbell is well versed in traditional labor law and employment litigation. Her work from the past year has included defending Worldspan against a sex discrimination and retaliation case.

Gregory Hare impresses with his broad base of knowledge, which spans labor relations, employment disputes and noncompete agreements.

Jon Gumbel is recommended as a leading attorney for a wide range of employment issues. His notable areas of expertise include discrimination claims, employment contracts and ERISA matters.

Tracey Barbaree focuses on employment and civil rights litigation, most notably with respect to advising employers on individual employee claims. She was recently lead defense counsel for Rite Aid on a race discrimination and retaliation claim.

The highly regarded Dara DeHaven handles a range of employment matters, and demonstrates particular skill in affirmative action and OFCCP compliance issues.

Kevin Hishta maintains an impressive body of work. He is currently playing a lead role in advising W.W. Grainger on a class action alleging that account relationship managers are nonexempt under the FLSA.

David Jones chairs the firm's workplace safety practice group, and specializes in OSHA-related matters, from coordinating accident investigations to resolving OSHA citations.

Daniel Turner has made a positive impression since joining the firm in 2010, and continues to advise on significant nationwide employment litigation. He is a key adviser to Rite Aid on various ongoing wage and hour class and collective actions.

Senior statesman Homer Deakins scarcely needs an introduction. Though he may not be as active now as he once was, he remains a seasoned authority and "excellent speaker" on all aspects of labor and employment law.

THE FIRM This preeminent group is commended for combining an in-depth understanding of labor and employment law with extensive trial experience. As a result, it is frequently called upon to advise on high-stakes litigation. In one recent highlight, the group successfully defended GlaxoSmithKline in a putative nationwide FLSA collective action. Other notable clients include Goldman Sachs and T-Mobile. 

Sources say: "A highly qualified firm with real depth of talent in labor and employment work."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Geoff Weirich is described by sources as an "exceptionally bright litigator who brings a profound way of thinking about strategy to cases." He has particular expertise in disability access cases.

The "extremely knowledgeable" Weyman Johnson handles both employment litigation and labor relations matters. His body of work includes defending TPUSA in a pregnancy discrimination case.

Leslie Dent is another "exceptional attorney" at the firm. Her practice has a focus on employment litigation, from individual cases to class actions and wage and hour collective actions. "She is professional, diligent and a strong strategist," assert interviewees.

THE FIRM This first-class labor and employment boutique continues to attract praise for its excellent litigation capabilities. Recent representative work includes advising CVS Caremark in various FLSA collective actions and wage and hour claims. It also counsels clients on general HR issues, from drawing up personnel policies to negotiating restrictive covenant agreements.

Sources : "A go-to firm with a stellar reputation for 'bet the company' cases."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  The "tremendously smart" Nancy Rafuse inspires confidence in clients with her "practical advice" and "efficient work." She is currently defending Procter & Gamble against a former employee's allegations of breach of contract.

William Hill is singled out as an "excellent trial attorney." He handles employment disputes alongside his highly esteemed commercial litigation practice, and recently defended Procter & Gamble against sex and pregnancy discrimination and retaliation claims.

THE FIRM This niche firm dedicates itself exclusively to counseling management clients on labor and employment law and complex litigation. It has experience across a wide array of industries, including IT, healthcare and education.

Sources say: "A fine firm." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Stanford Wilson is regarded as a strong advocate for his clients and an excellent strategist. He has expertise in both contentious and noncontentious work, including negotiating and modifying collective bargaining agreements and handling employment discrimination litigation.

Brent Wilson is deeply experienced in labor relations matters as well as employment-related disputes. He acts for a diverse group of employers, with a particular emphasis in the education and communications sectors.

Read Gignilliat is well versed in employment dispute resolution, and regularly works with management to resolve claims, grievances and appeals filed by employees. His practice further encompasses noncompetition and trade secret matters.

Alisa Pittman Cleek is noted for having "tremendous jury trial experience." Her core focus is on discrimination and harassment litigation.

Lewis Sapp is a "great lawyer" in whom clients can place complete confidence. He has considerable experience in labor relations work, including unfair labor practice proceedings and collective bargaining negotiations. 

THE FIRM Fisher & Phillips is admired for the volume and scope of work it carries out in the labor and employment field. It offers clients a broad service, encompassing employment discrimination, immigration, labor relations, wage and hour law, unfair competition and workplace safety, among others.

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Tex McIver is "a wonderful lawyer with a great reputation," say sources. He advises employers on HR issues surrounding M&A as well as on union-organizing and strike campaigns.

One interviewee enthusiastically identifies Douglas Sullenberger as "one of the best traditional labor lawyers in the market." His areas of expertise encompass union avoidance, decertification and collective bargaining.

John Thompson is praised for providing high levels of client service and effective, practical advice. He has a particular focus on wage and hour law issues.

Ann Margaret Pointer is noted for her breadth of expertise. Her practice covers employment discrimination and harassment claims, collective and class actions, collective bargaining negotiations and reductions in force.

Thomas Rebel is managing partner of the Atlanta office. He focuses on employment counseling, from affirmative action plans and audits to FLSA compliance, and has a wealth of experience in the education sector.

THE FIRM Labor and employment work is the raison d'être of this national boutique, which impresses interviewees with its responsive service and depth of expertise. The Atlanta team recently acted for Caraustar Industries in a lawsuit concerning allegations of race and disability discrimination and FMLA violations. Other active clients include Delta Air Lines, HCA and Radiant Systems.

Sources say: "These attorneys really know what they are talking about."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Patricia Griffith "really knows how to handle a jury; she is a go-to person when you have a case which is not going to settle but will go to trial," comment observers. Her recent caseload includes defending Aaron's against an allegation of sexual harassment.

Thomas Kassin has niche expertise in issues relating to the Railway Labor Act. He routinely counsels airline clients on employment-related litigation, arbitration and contract negotiation.

David Hagaman is another "excellent attorney" at the firm. The scope of his advice includes union-organizing campaigns, NLRB cases, wage and hour matters and employment discrimination litigation.

Commended for his deep experience and excellent responsiveness, Frederick Warren is an attorney for whom "no matter is too big or small to resolve," say sources. He handles both traditional labor work and employment litigation.

John Monroe is a talented employment litigator with experience across breach of contract, discrimination and harassment, unfair competition and trade secret disputes.

THE FIRM This team is praised for providing creative solutions to complex issues. It demonstrates particular strength in dealing with national-scale matters, from defending wrongful discharge and discrimination claims to advising on wage and hour law and labor relations issues. The firm attracts a broad client base spanning the telecommunications, financial services, airline and education sectors.

Sources say: "A top-notch firm in all respects."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  James Coil has been a practicing labor and employment lawyer for nearly 40 years. In this time, he has amassed a wealth of knowledge in affirmative action planning, wage and hour law compliance, and discrimination and wrongful discharge lawsuits.

William Boice is an acclaimed trial lawyer who can deftly turn his hand to a wide range of disputes, including employment litigation.

Diane Prucino is the firm's co-managing partner. Her practice centers on employment litigation, with recent representative work including her representation of a software manufacturer in a collective wage and hour case. She also counsels and trains employers on harassment, discrimination and reduction in force issues.

Thomas Christopher is another who impresses at the firm. He demonstrates particular skill in restrictive covenant and privacy and data security issues, and also has experience defending employers against discrimination, harassment and wrongful discharge claims.

Susan Pangborn is held in high esteem for her work on wage and hour compliance and discrimination issues. Her recent highlights include obtaining summary judgment on behalf of a university client facing allegations of race discrimination, and achieving a favorable settlement for a telecommunications company in a sexual harassment and retaliation case.

The "incredibly smart" John Alden is "creative, organized and on the ball," according to interviewees. His recent body of work includes advising a construction company on various OSHA matters.

Richard Boisseau is a much in-demand authority on traditional labor relations matters.

THE FIRM This highly regarded firm handles the full range of HR matters, from defending complex class actions to drafting employment policies and negotiating labor agreements. In the past year, the nine-partner Atlanta team has been increasingly active advising on trade secret and fiduciary duty issues. Notable clients include Chick-fil-a, FedEx and McKesson Technologies.

KEY INDIVIDUALS  The "personable and engaging" Richard Gerakitis leads the labor and employment practice group. He handles litigation, mediation and arbitration matters, and is endorsed as an "excellent trial lawyer."

Robert Buckler has considerable experience in the employment field, having been advising management on labor relations and employment litigation for over 30 years.

Stephen Riddell is managing partner of the Atlanta office. His core areas of expertise include the defense of discrimination claims, and labor arbitrations arising under collective bargaining agreements.

Interviewees note that Ashley Hager is "excellent at balancing her legal advice with the practicalities of a client's situation." She advises on a broad range of employment matters, with a particular specialty in employee privacy issues.

THE FIRM Constangy, Brooks & Smith is praised by clients for offering a personalized service and excellent responsiveness. While the firm is experienced in a wide range of contentious and noncontentious employment work, it is best known in Georgia for its labor law and OSHA expertise. In one recent standout matter, the firm appeared before the Supreme Court in a case relating to the legal authority of the NLRB to issue two-member rulings in unfair labor cases.

Sources say: "They really listen to what you, as the client, have to say - you really feel like you are working in partnership with the attorneys."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Patrick Tyson moved into private practice nearly 20 years ago, after a 13-year career at the DOL. He is deeply experienced in OSHA matters, and routinely represents employers on workplace health and safety issues.

Labor relations expert Melvin Haas "really knows what he is talking about" and is "very effective at dealing with unions," enthuse clients. He heads the firm's Macon office.

Neil Wasser is chairman of the firm and heads up the Atlanta office. He principally advises local and national clients on their OSHA compliance obligations.

William Principe is another attorney at Constangy who excels in occupational safety and health regulatory issues. He is commended for providing clients with creative solutions and high levels of service.

THE FIRM This practice advises on all areas of labor and employment law, and is able to draw on the firm's excellent network of offices to act on local, national and international matters. It has particular experience in high-stakes disputes, including class and collective actions and ERISA litigation. Clients of the firm include Aquilex, Atlanta Public Schools and Delta Air Lines.

Sources say: "I have been 100% satisfied with their professionalism, knowledge and representation."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  The "very knowledgeable and practical" Todd Wozniak is "solution-oriented and can see the big picture." As one interviewee comments, "he does an excellent job of making complex concepts understandable for the client." He focuses on employment litigation, from wage and hour class actions to discrimination allegations.

Practice head David Long-Daniels offers clients high-level strategic advice. He was recently co-counsel for New Process Steel on the high-profile Supreme Court case concerning whether the NLRB could issue two-member rulings in unfair labor cases.

THE FIRM The Atlanta branch of this national boutique continues to impress with its wide-ranging expertise. In the past year alone, the team has advised employers on allegations of race, sex and disability discrimination, FLSA collective actions and restrictive covenant issues.

Sources say: "Extraordinarily competent lawyers, who never miss an angle when reviewing an issue."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Atlanta managing partner David Gordon is singled out as an attorney who "remains cool under pressure and is extremely responsive to his clients' needs." He primarily advises management on labor and employment litigation.

Stephen Munger is a "tenacious litigator" with notable experience in wage and hour collective actions, wrongful discharge disputes and discrimination litigation.

THE FIRM This heavyweight full-service firm maintains an impressive labor and employment offering in Georgia. The eight-lawyer team is more compact than some of its local peers but is more than capable of handling high-stakes litigation. Recent work includes defending IBM against a nationwide wage and hour collective action. Verizon Wireless, BB&T Insurance Services and Bank of America are other notable clients.

KEY INDIVIDUALS  According to one interviewee, Deborah Sudbury is "as good as they come" for class action litigation. Her recent successes include defeating nationwide certification in a wage and hour class and collective action brought against Dick's Sporting Goods.

THE FIRM This practice is particularly commended for its employment litigation capabilities. Its attorneys have considerable experience appearing before both state and federal courts, as well as governmental agencies and arbitral tribunals, in relation to wage and hour class and collective actions, ERISA litigation and restrictive covenant and trade secret disputes.

Sources say: "A fantastic firm."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Michael Johnston is an accomplished trial lawyer. Clients say: "He is particularly strong at questioning witnesses in deposition and in court."

The highly regarded Sam Matchett has extensive experience in both employment litigation and OFCCP compliance.

Not only is David Tetrick "very smart and conscientious," he also possesses "terrific interpersonal skills," making him "a user-friendly attorney who is extremely easy to work with." He is particularly sought after for ERISA litigation matters.

THE FIRM The Atlanta office of this national boutique maintains an excellent practice across the full spectrum of labor and employment work. The team is well versed in wage and hour class actions, and has also remained particularly busy of late advising on noncompete disputes and employment litigation in the healthcare sector.

Sources say: "These attorneys offer excellent personal service and responsiveness."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  The highly regarded Traywick Duffie stands out as a leading expert on labor relations issues and also demonstrates considerable skill in general employment litigation.

Lee Schreter draws much respect for her representation of employers in wage and hour class and collective actions. She has recently handled matters for UMass Memorial Medical Center and MasTec.

Jerry Newsome enters the tables this year having been singled out as "one of the best restrictive covenant/noncompete lawyers in Atlanta."

THE FIRM McKenna Long & Aldridge offers an impressive full-service employment practice, and further stands out for its strength in depth in traditional labor work. Recent representative work includes acting for Foxwoods Resort Casino on disputes concerning the applicability of federal labor law to on-reservation activities of Native American tribes, and advising Interbake Foods on union-organizing efforts and unfair labor practice charges.

Sources say: "Excellent client service - you really get that personal touch."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Richard Hankins is a top pick for labor relations matters. Not only does he work hard to understand his clients' individual needs and business concerns, he is also praised for having "a very easy style and the ability to interact with various groups of people." 

Daniel Beale impresses clients with his clear and concise advice, and excellent responsiveness. His noted areas of expertise include restrictive covenant and noncompetition agreements, whistle-blower claims and trade secret disputes.

Mark Keenan recently joined McKenna Long & Aldridge from McGuireWoods. He maintains an impressive labor law practice, as demonstrated by his role as national counsel to Cardinal Health and International Paper on all traditional labor matters.

THE FIRM The compact size of this employment boutique belies the scope of its practice. It excels at both employer and employee-side representation, and routinely handles matters ranging from employment discrimination and harassment allegations to whistle-blowing claims and breach of employment agreements.

Sources say: "An excellent practice with very smart attorneys." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Tom Munger continues to receive ringing endorsements from market sources. He has over 25 years' experience handling employment law matters, and is well versed in both state and federal court litigation and arbitration.

Benjamin Stone elicits consistent praise as an extremely bright and hard-working lawyer. His practice spans the full range of employment work, with a particular emphasis on noncompete matters.

THE FIRM Although this team is smaller than some of its Atlanta competitors, it is regularly called upon to advise on complex workplace litigation and counseling issues. Notable recent work includes representing DeKalb County in a federal court trial relating to allegations of race discrimination and retaliation, and advising Sprint Nextel on various wage and hour class and collective actions.

Sources say: "We trust their advice and strategic recommendations."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Hunter Hughes is revered as an "excellent mediator." He also maintains an active practice advising employers on wage and hour and EEOC complaints, and recently achieved summary judgment in favor of ADP following an employee's allegations of race discrimination and retaliation. Sources say: "He provides solid, practical advice, which helps the client weigh up the risks and benefits of a certain course of action."

THE FIRM Seyfarth Shaw offers employment expertise across a wide range of sectors and issues, and is praised for its strength in dealing with local and national-scale matters.  In Atlanta, the firm is home to 27 attorneys dedicated to litigation and counseling services, from wage and hour class actions to traditional labor work. Unisource Worldwide, JPMorgan Chase and WellPoint are all notable clients.

Sources say: "The quality of these lawyers is top-notch - the firm's national footprint also really helps, as the Atlanta team has colleagues in other states who can weigh in on different circuit decisions."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Stuart Newman is recommended as a leading expert for labor relations work, including handling complex collective bargaining negotiations, arbitrations and strikes. He acts as primary outside labor counsel to Caesar's Entertainment and ITT Systems.

Brett Bartlett enters the rankings this year having been singled out as a "rising star" for labor and employment work. Clients say: "He is a guru on wage and hour issues - he is intimately aware of the modus operandi of the DOL. When facing the nitty-gritty of those cases, he's the one you want."

THE FIRM The employment team at Freeman Mathis & Gary is a strong and significant force in the public sector, where it frequently advises governmental bodies on a range of HR issues. It also maintains an active client portfolio in the manufacturing and construction industries. The firm's core areas of expertise include employment practices liability insurance, labor arbitration defense, personnel policies and employment contracts.

Sources say: "The firm is very knowledgeable about the law, but also has a deep understanding of the Georgia community - both of which go a long way in helping clients toward what they want to achieve."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Sources are impressed with Ben Mathis, whose style is described as "constructively aggressive - he can bring parties together in a room and find a resolution, while always protecting his client's position." He is currently advising Rockdale County on a reverse race discrimination case.

Mary Anne Ackourey "provides excellent legal and customer service," according to interviewees. She has particular experience in issues related to educational institutions and school districts, including terminations and harassments.

THE FIRM This Savannah-based firm continues to excel in the local market. The three-partner employment team is experienced in providing advice and solutions on a range of matters, from EEOC charges and wage and hour investigations to compliance with affirmative action obligations and employment contracts.

Sources say: "A model firm with respect to quality and value representation."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Wade Herring has a wealth of experience in the field, having practiced the law for over 20 years. His areas of focus include internal employment practices, FLSA and ADA claims and employee benefits.

Shawn Kachmar stands out for both his in-depth knowledge of labor and employment law and excellent client service skills. As one interviewee comments: "Your problems always seem to be his priority - no matter how small you are, you always feel like you are his most important customer."

THE FIRM Hunton & Williams remains a solid choice for a wide array of employment law work, from wage and hour collective actions to breach of contract and trade secret cases. The attorneys' expertise spans a diverse range of industries, including financial services and manufacturing.

Sources say: "They are very practical attorneys - their advice isn't just centered on legal theory, but also on what will work in the boardroom."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Atlanta office managing partner Kurt Powell "brings an incredible level of knowledge and strong analytical ability," say clients. Sources also praise his ability to offer "a creative approach to managing and solving litigation." His practice incorporates complex employment disputes as well as collective bargaining and preventive employee relations counseling.

THE FIRM Though this three-lawyer team may be smaller than some of its competitors, it has an excellent reputation for its representation of employers in employment discrimination cases and NLRB hearings. Representative work from the past year includes advising Kellogg in relation to an age discrimination suit.

Sources say: "Excellent client service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Clients can rely on Curtis Mack to quickly get to the heart of complex matters and provide "practical advice." His deep experience in the field encompasses both traditional labor work and employment litigation. He is currently advising IKON Office Solutions on a number of EEOC charges.

THE FIRM This Atlanta team works in close conjunction with the firm's well-regarded Tennessee offices to advise clients across the Southeast, and nationally, on labor and employment matters. Its expertise covers collective bargaining negotiations, employment litigation and employment counseling. Clients include Averitt Express and Atlanta Regional Commission.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Christopher Parker is a key contact in Atlanta.

THE FIRM This well-regarded group is praised for its efficiency and excellent client service. Its work encompasses employment counseling and litigation as well as executive compensation and employee benefits matters. Recent highlights include achieving a summary judgment in favor of Effingham Hospital following an employee's FMLA retaliation claims.

Sources say: "I was extremely pleased with their pragmatic approach to problem solving."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Jason D'Cruz is "extremely responsive and always delivers," notes one impressed client. He acts for both public and private companies on employment discrimination litigation, executive compensation matters and restrictive covenant agreements.

THE FIRM This experienced team operates on a cross-disciplinary basis, pooling expertise from the firm's IP, employee benefits, corporate and litigation practices to advise clients on the full spectrum of employment law. In the past year, it has handled various wage and hour collective actions and discrimination issues, both locally and nationally.

Sources say: "A responsive team, with quick turnaround times."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Clients appreciate that Lisa Combs Jern brings a strong practical approach to complex employment matters. Her practice has a particular focus on restrictive covenant and trade secret litigation.

Allegra Lawrence-Hardy "provides incredible client service, is decisive, and works very well in the in-house counsel/outside counsel/client triangle," enthuse interviewees. She is a talented litigator, complementing her employment expertise with a general commercial disputes practice, and has recently advised a national bank on an executive compensation litigation matter.