Edward G. Phillips

Edward G. Phillips


Kramer Rayson LLP

Recognized since 2003

Knoxville, Tennessee

Practice Areas

Employment Law - Management

Labor Law - Management

Litigation - Labor and Employment

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Litigation - Labor and Employment
Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Litigation - Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Litigation - Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2014 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2012 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2011 - Labor and Employment Law
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Edward G. Phillips ("Ward") heads the Kramer Rayson firm's Employment Law Group, and is a former managing partner of the firm. He represents management exclusively in all areas of employment law and labor relations, including federal and state employment litigation and in administrative proceedings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, United States Department of Labor (including the 'OFCCP'), the National Labor Relations Board, the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, and the Tennessee Department of Labor.

Mr. Phillips recently headed a defense team that successfully defended a putative class action with 17 named plaintiffs alleging race discrimination in termination, racial harassment, racial failure to

promote or transfer, and retaliation for complaining about race discrimination. All 17 plaintiffs were either dismissed on summary judgment, or voluntarily dismissed claims with prejudice in exchange for waiver of court costs after summary judgment was filed. One of these summary judgment dismissals was recently affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Mr. Phillips was also lead counsel in defense of a putative class action alleging race discrimination in failure to hire with a putative class of over 300 members in which the motion to certify the class was denied and individual plaintiffs' claims were dismissed on summary judgment.

Mr. Phillips has recent reported Sixth Circuit affirmations of summary judgments in age discrimination, race discrimination, racial harassment, and age, gender, and race discrimination claims involving reductions in force. He obtained summary judgment defending a president of a major university in a reverse race and gender discrimination case which was affirmed by the Sixth Circuit. Many of Mr. Phillips' cases have involved multiple plaintiffs.

Contact & Links
Location
  • 800 South Gay Street, Suite 2500
    P.O. Box 629
    Knoxville, TN 37929
Education
  • The University of Tennessee, J.D., graduated 1978
  • East Tennessee State University, BA, graduated 1975
Bar Admissions
  • Tennessee, Tennessee Bar Association
Affiliations
  • Helen Ross McNabb - Board Member
  • Tennessee Labor Letter - Editorial Review Board Member
State Clerkships
  • Tennessee - Court of Appeals

Kramer Rayson LLP
Headquarters: Knoxville, Tennessee

18 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

3 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards

Best Law Firms Badge Visit Website View Firm Profile

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Litigation - Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Litigation - Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2014 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2012 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2011 - Labor and Employment Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment, Knoxville (2024)
  • Labor Law - Management, Knoxville (2022)
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment, Knoxville (2019)
  • Labor Law - Management, Knoxville (2016)
  • Employment Law - Management, Knoxville (2015)
  • Labor Law - Management, Knoxville (2014)
  • Employment Law - Management, Knoxville (2013)
  • Labor Law - Management, Knoxville (2012)
  • Labor and Employment Law, Knoxville (2011)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 for work in:
  • Employment Law - Management
  • Labor Law - Management
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
Special Focus:
  • Management
Awards:
  • Best Lawyers in America, 1995-Present
  • Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year, Labor and Employment 2019
  • Mid-South Super Lawyers 2006-2019
  • Chambers USA Leading Employment Lawyer 2004-2018
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Labor and Employment Law - Management

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Publications

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