John E. Phillips

John Phillips practices in the area of labor and employment. He represents employer clients in labor and employment matters throughout the United States. Past and present clients include manufacturers, retailers, rental car companies, financial institutions, medical services, hospitals, hotels, physicians’ professional associations, employee leasing companies, government contractors, insurance companies, shipyards, mining companies, and restaurants. He regularly appears in both state and federal courts.

Mr. Phillips has served as lead employers’ counsel in race, sex, sexual harassment, age, religion, national origin, and handicap (disability) employment discrimination charges filed with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Florida Commission on Human Relations, and other state and local EEO agencies. He has litigated claims brought against employers under the Civil Rights Acts of 1866 (§ 1981) and 1964 (Title VII), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the analogous state statutes.

He prepares employment contracts and has helped develop companies' severance and confidentiality agreements. He frequently litigates breaches of employment contracts, alleged breaches of compensation and discretionary compensation agreements, and enforcement of non-competition agreements. He develops or reviews clients’ personnel policy manuals, employee and supervisor handbooks, employee applications, arbitration and ADR or EDR programs, and personnel policies (including drug testing and polygraphing policies) for compliance with EEO and wage-and-hour laws. He frequently assists clients in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Mr. Phillips has acted as management counsel in organized labor disputes (including arbitration of contract and employee discipline disputes). He has litigated equal pay claims and a segment of his practice focuses on employee safety and health issues, and he represents employers in contesting citations issued by the Occupational Safety and Mine Safety and Health Commissions.

Mr. Phillips serves as the practice coordinator of Phelps Dunbar's labor and employment group in the Tampa office.