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Lawyer Profile

Image of Paul Lancaster Adams

Paul Lancaster Adams

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
  • Recognized Since:
    2014
  • Recognized in:
    Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Law School:
    Wake Forest University
  • Website:
    http://www.ogletree.com
  • E-mail:
    pladams@ogletree.com
  • Location:
    1735 Market Street, Suite 3000
    Philadelphia, PA 19103
Paul Lancaster Adams is the Managing Shareholder of Ogletree Deakins' Philadelphia office. With a strong in-house and outside counsel background, Paul brings a unique perspective and focus to his national clients. He has skillfully addressed a broad range of key employment issues critical to the modern workplace through counseling, negotiation and litigation. Paul has particular experience with employment single/multiple plaintiff and class action matters as well as wage and hour, non-compete and trade secret litigation. He has successfully tried to verdict over 25 matters in federal and state courts and handled numerous arbitrations and mediations. Among many honors, Paul is listed in the Best Lawyers in America. He has been further singled out, nationally, as one of "The Legal 500" and the National Law Journal rates him as one of the "Top Lawyers in Pennsylvania." He has been recognized regionally as a "Top Pennsylvania Lateral Hire" and named "Pennsylvania Diverse Attorney of the Year" by The Legal Intelligencer (oldest law journal in the United States). The Philadelphia Business Journal distinguished Paul as one of the "Noteworthy Philadelphia-Area Lateral Attorney" hires of the year and most recently, selected him to receive the "Minority Business Leader Executive Award" which recognizes top level Corporate Executives and Advocates who play a strong role in their respective industries and communities. Prior to joining Ogletree Deakins, Paul served as Associate General Counsel and Chief Employment Litigator to Microsoft Corporation. He also led the strategic and tactical handling of class actions and high-level domestic and non-United States corporate investigations. As part of the company's Legal and Corporate Affairs External Leadership, he also served as Sr. Director of Government Affairs where he supported and advised the company's largest customer base. During his career with Microsoft, he was honored with the National Bar Association's "Clyde E. Bailey Award for Corporate Leadership." Preceding Microsoft, Paul was a partner at one of the premier law firms in Philadelphia. Paul is involved in numerous civic and charitable activities. He currently serves on the Governing Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Eastern Pennsylvania and re-elected to the Board of Directors for Philadelphia Young Playwrights (term starting in September 2013).
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  • Lawyer Bio
  • Client Comments
  • Lawyer Practice Areas
  • Firm Details
  • Case History

Lawyer Bio

Paul Lancaster Adams is the Managing Shareholder of Ogletree Deakins' Philadelphia office. With a strong in-house and outside counsel background, Paul brings a unique perspective and focus to his national clients. He has skillfully addressed a broad range of key employment issues critical to the modern workplace through counseling, negotiation and litigation. Paul has particular experience with employment single/multiple plaintiff and class action matters as well as wage and hour, non-compete and trade secret litigation. He has successfully tried to verdict over 25 matters in federal and state courts and handled numerous arbitrations and mediations. Among many honors, Paul is listed in the Best Lawyers in America. He has been further singled out, nationally, as one of "The Legal 500" and the National Law Journal rates him as one of the "Top Lawyers in Pennsylvania." He has been recognized regionally as a "Top Pennsylvania Lateral Hire" and named "Pennsylvania Diverse Attorney of the Year" by The Legal Intelligencer (oldest law journal in the United States). The Philadelphia Business Journal distinguished Paul as one of the "Noteworthy Philadelphia-Area Lateral Attorney" hires of the year and most recently, selected him to receive the "Minority Business Leader Executive Award" which recognizes top level Corporate Executives and Advocates who play a strong role in their respective industries and communities. Prior to joining Ogletree Deakins, Paul served as Associate General Counsel and Chief Employment Litigator to Microsoft Corporation. He also led the strategic and tactical handling of class actions and high-level domestic and non-United States corporate investigations. As part of the company's Legal and Corporate Affairs External Leadership, he also served as Sr. Director of Government Affairs where he supported and advised the company's largest customer base. During his career with Microsoft, he was honored with the National Bar Association's "Clyde E. Bailey Award for Corporate Leadership." Preceding Microsoft, Paul was a partner at one of the premier law firms in Philadelphia. Paul is involved in numerous civic and charitable activities. He currently serves on the Governing Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Eastern Pennsylvania and re-elected to the Board of Directors for Philadelphia Young Playwrights (term starting in September 2013).
  • Education
  • Bar Admissions
  • Affiliations
  • Award List

Education:

  • Wake Forest University , J.D., graduated 1993
  • Virginia Commonwealth University, BS, graduated 1990

Bar Admissions:

  • Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • New York, New York State Bar Association

Affiliations:

  • American Bar Association - Member
  • Barristers Association of Philadelphia - Member
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters SEPA Governing Board of Directors - Member
  • Defense Research Institute - Member
  • Jenkins Law Library Board - Past Member
  • National Bar Association - Member
  • National Employment Law Council - Member
  • Philadelphia Bar Association - Member
  • Philadelphia Prison Board - Past Member
  • Philadelphia Young Playwrights Board - Member

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for work in:

  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
 

Awards:

  • AV "Preeminent" Peer Rating by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Pennsylvania Diverse Attorney of the Year by The Legal Intelligencer (2013)
  • Philadelphia Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award (2002)
  • “On the Verge” by American Law Media (2007)
  • National Bar Association Clyde E. Bailey Award for Corporate Leadership (2009)
  • Top Pennsylvania Lateral Hire of 2012 by The Legal Intelligencer
  • Philadelphia Business Journal's Minority Business Leader Executive Award (2013)
  • National Law Journal, Top Lawyer for Pennsylvania
  • Legal 500: Labor and Employment - Labor & Employment Litigation
 

Lawyer Client Comments

Lawyer Practice Areas

Key: Awarded in Best Lawyers Not Currently Awarded for this Area in Best Lawyers

Firm Details

Image for Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. View Firm Profile
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
http://www.ogletree.com
 
Headquarters
One Ninety One Peachtree Tower, Suite 4800
191 Peachtree Street, NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 881.1300
47 Office Locations
in 1 Country

United States

United States

Alabama

Alabama

Birmingham, AL

420 Twentieth Street North, Suite 1900

Birmingham, AL 35203

United States

(205) 328.1900

Get Directions

Arizona

Arizona

Phoenix, AZ

Esplanade Center III, Suite 800

2415 East Camelback Road

Phoenix, AZ 85016

United States

(602) 778.3700

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Tucson, AZ

3430 East Sunrise Drive, Suite 220

Tucson, AZ 85718

United States

(520) 544.0300

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California

California

Costa Mesa, CA

Park Tower, Suite 1500

695 Town Center Drive

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

United States

(714) 800.7900

Get Directions

Los Angeles, CA

400 South Hope Street, Suite 1200

Los Angeles, CA 90071

United States

(213) 239.9800

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Sacramento, CA

500 Capitol Mall, Suite 2500

Sacramento, CA 95814

United States

(916) 840.3150

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San Diego, CA

4370 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite 990

San Diego, CA 92122

United States

(858) 652.3100

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San Francisco, CA

Steuart Tower, Suite 1300

One Market Plaza

San Francisco, CA 94105

United States

(415) 442.4810

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Torrance, CA

19191 South Vermonth Avenue, Suite 950

Torrance, CA 90502

United States

(310) 217.8191

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Colorado

Colorado

Denver, CO

Tower Three, Suite 900

2000 South Colorado Boulevard

Denver, CO 80203

United States

(303) 764.6800

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Connecticut

Connecticut

Stamford, CT

281 Tresser Boulevard, Suite 602

Stamford, CT 06901

United States

(203) 969.3100

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District of Columbia

District of Columbia

Washington, DC

1909 K Street, NW, Suite 1000

Washington, DC 20006

United States

(202) 887.0855

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Florida

Florida

Miami, FL

9130 South Dadeland Boulevard, Suite 1625

Two Datran Center

Miami, FL 33156

United States

(305) 374.0506

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Tampa, FL

100 North Tampa Street, Suite 3600

Tampa, FL 33602

United States

(813) 289.1247

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Illinois

Illinois

Chicago, IL

155 North Wacker Drive, Suite 4300

Chicago, IL 60606

United States

(312) 558.1220

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Indiana

Indiana

Indianapolis, IN

111 Monument Circle, Suite 4600

Indianapolis, IN 46204

United States

(317) 916.1300

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Louisiana

Louisiana

New Orleans, LA

701 Poydras Street, Suite 3500

New Orleans, LA 70139

United States

(504) 648.3840

Get Directions

Maine

Maine

Portland, ME

Two Monumental Square, Seventh Floor

Portland, ME 04101

United States

(207) 387.2957

Get Directions

Massachusetts

Massachusetts

Boston, MA

One Boston Place, Suite 3500

201 Washington Street

Boston, MA 02108

United States

(617) 994.5700

Get Directions

Michigan

Michigan

Birmingham, MI

34977 Woodward Avenue, Suite 300

Birmingham, MI 48009

United States

(248) 593.6400

Get Directions

Minnesota

Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN

225 South Sixth Street, Suite 1800

Minneapolis, MN 55402

United States

(612) 339.1818

Get Directions

Mississippi

Mississippi

Ridgeland, MS

207 West Jackson Street, Suite 200

Ridgeland, MS 39157

United States

(601) 360.8444

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Missouri

Missouri

Kansas City, MO

4520 Main Street, Suite 400

Kansas City, MO 64111

United States

(816) 471.1301

Get Directions

St. Louis, MO

7700 Bonhomme Avenue, Suite 650

St. Louis, MO 63105

United States

(314) 802.3935

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Nevada

Nevada

Las Vegas, NV

3800 Howard Hughes Parkway, Suite 1500

Las Vegas, NV 89169

United States

(702) 369.6800

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New Jersey

New Jersey

Morristown, NJ

10 Madison Avenue, Suite 400

Morristown, NJ 07960

United States

(973) 656.1600

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New York

New York

New York, NY

599 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1700

New York, NY 10022

United States

(212) 492.2500

Get Directions

North Carolina

North Carolina

Charlotte, NC

201 South College Street, Suite 2300

Charlotte, NC 28244

United States

(704) 342.2588

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Raleigh, NC

8529 Six Forks Road, Suite 600

Raleigh, NC 27615

United States

(919) 787.9700

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Ohio

Ohio

Cleveland, OH

Key Tower, Suite 4100

127 Public Square

Cleveland, OH 44114

United States

(216) 241.6100

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma City, OK

The Heritage Building, Suite 400

621 North Robinson Avenue

Oklahoma City, OK 73102

United States

(405) 546.3774

Get Directions

Oregon

Oregon

Portland, OR

222 Southwest Columbia Street, Suite 1500

Portland, OR 97201

United States

(503) 552.2140

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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

1735 Market Street, Suite 3000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

United States

(215) 995.2800

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Pittsburgh, PA

One PPG Place, Suite 1900

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

United States

(412) 394.3333

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South Carolina

South Carolina

Charleston, SC

211 King Street, Suite 200

Charleston, SC 29401

United States

(843) 853.1300

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Columbia, SC

First Base Building, Suite 401

2142 Boyce Street

Columbia, SC 29201

United States

(803) 252.1300

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Greenville, SC

The Ogletree Building

300 North Main Street

Greenville, SC 29601

United States

(864) 271.1300

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Tennessee

Tennessee

Memphis, TN

International Place, Tower II, Suite 300

6410 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, TN 38119

United States

(901) 767.6160

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Nashville, TN

SunTrust Plaza, Suite 1200

401 Commerce Street

Nashville, TN 37219

United States

(615) 254.1900

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Texas

Texas

Austin, TX

301 Congress Avenue, Suite 1150

Austin, TX 78701

United States

(512) 344.4700

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Dallas, TX

Preston Commons West, Suite 500

8117 Preston Road

Dallas, TX 75225

United States

(214) 987.3800

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Houston, TX

One Allen Center, Suite 3000

500 Dallas Street

Houston, TX 77002

United States

(713) 655.0855

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San Antonio, TX

112 East Pecan Street, Suite 2700

San Antonio, TX 78205

United States

(210) 354.1300

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Virginia

Virginia

Richmond, VA

901 East Byrd Street, Suite 1300

Richmond, VA 23219

United States

(804) 663.2330

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Washington

Washington

Seattle, WA

1201 Third Avenue, Suite 5150

Seattle, WA 98101

United States

(206) 693.7057

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin

Milwaukee, WI

1243 North 10th Street, Suite 200

Milwaukee, WI 53205

United States

(414) 239.6400

Get Directions

Lawyer Case History

Success in Labor Matters

  • Successfully tried to verdict (with $20M demand) matter, involving multiple entertainment-industry personnel, surrounding a dangerous fire stunt that went awry during a professional wrestling event severely burning fans. (Facts of incident were portrayed in a New York Times #1 best-selling autobiography which was used by plaintiffs during trial.) The clients, a world-renown entertainment group and sports entertainers, were all exonerated of any wrongdoing
  • Favorably resolved Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) misclassification case involving one of the largest food manufacturers in the world.
  • Successful defense of Fair Labor Standards Act matter, with national implications, involving a private corporation contracted to provide health services to a major municipality.
  • Successfully tried to verdict multiple plaintiff gender discrimination, 14th Amendment Substantive and Procedural Due Process rights matter against client municipality, its agency and numerous directors and management personnel surrounding a fifteen year history between the parties.
  • Favorable results in wrongful termination, malicious prosecution and defamation mater involving intertwined facts of fraud and theft by employees of one of the largest luxury hotel groups in the United States.
  • Successfully tried to verdict case involving the Family and Medical Leave Act and Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law by former facility department head against client healthcare entity.

Business Matters

  • Investigated whistleblower matter involving a major medical device company and its production of significant product with annual sales of $68M.
  • Investigated cross-continental whistleblower matter involving questionable business practices, associated with one of the largest data centers in the world, by industry leading vendor with annual contract of $1.2B. Findings resulted in significant operational changes and multi-million dollar reimbursements.
  • Successfully settled (with no damages allocation) misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair competition matter related to specular LED technology absolving client’s damage exposure of $292M yearly.
  • Editorial contributor in “Leading Companies” amicus brief in Dukes v. Wal-mart (nation’s largest discrimination class action involving more than 1.5M members and $1B).
 
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