Best Lawyers in America for Litigation - Labor and Employment
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State
Charles A. Powell has represented employers throughout the southeast against employment discrimination and harassment, non-competition and wage and hour litigation suits for more than 18 years. He has a strong record of successfully defending employers against various employment and labor law claims, including: A retail chain in a jury trial alleging sexual harassment and state law tort claims A hospital in a jury trial alleging racially discriminatory promotion, discharge and retaliation cla...
Dawn has spent two decades partnering with her clients to help guide and direct their employment decisions to avoid the time and expense of litigation, and creating and executing a strategy to defend them through trial should the need arise. She is committed to knowing her client's businesses. Dawn's familiarity with her client's businesses and industries and knowledge of current legal trends is beneficial to her clients in preparing for and thwarting any potential adverse actions. It is for ...
Daniel Bryant is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Daniel, who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Daniel is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Michael S. Williams is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Michael S., who practices law in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Bob is the lead attorney in the Employment Law Group at Givens Pursley LLP, and counsels and represents employers on a broad range of employment matters. His expertise includes counseling employers on how to avoid litigation of workplace issues. Bob advises employers on compliance with federal and state employment laws, including developing employment policies and practices, implementing and providing employer training programs, and providing guidance on specific issues including discriminati...
Michael Hill is an Associate in the Labor & Employment Law National Practice Section in FMG's Atlanta office. As a member of the firm's Labor & Employment Law National Practice Section, Mr. Hill represents both public and private employers in litigation and pre-suit negotiations involving claims of alleged unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation; wage and hour disputes; family and medical leave issues; and employment-contract disputes, including contracts involving non-di...
Douglas Smith focuses his practice on representing clients in complex class action litigation and offering advice on legal compliance with federal and state wage and hour requirements. He also helps employers respond to wage and hour investigations by the U. S. Department of Labor and the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. He has also testified before the Washington State legislature on numerous class action and wage and hour issues and consulted on a variety of legislative ...
Anthony J. Oncidi is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Anthony J., who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2005. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Anthony J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Craig Cleland defends employers in litigation—including in class actions—and counsels them on compliance and risk management. He is also Co-Chair of the Firm’s Class Action Practice Group. Craig has served on several Atlanta-area nonprofit boards, including as chair. He is currently on the Advisory Committee for the Atlanta Legal Aid Society as well as on the Board of the Atlanta Bar Labor and Employment Section. Craig is also named in Best Lawyers in America, Atlanta Magazi...
Shelley R. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Shelley R., who practices law in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Shelley R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Leah C. Lively exclusively defends employers from claims of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful discharge, and wage and hour violations. Leah represents and advises employers of every size, including Fortune 100 companies, non-profit organizations, and locally owned businesses. Leah appreciates that a client’s needs must be assessed and responded to on an individual basis to ensure efficient and effective representation. Leah is an experienced trial attorney having tried m...
Jonathan Shapiro has extensive experience in employment, labor and employee benefits law and litigation. He represents employers before state and federal courts across the country in complex wage-and hour class and collective actions and cases that involve discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination and other employment matters. Jonathan has defended executives in white-collar criminal investigations and litigation. In addition, he counsels employers on various issues concerning employm...
Suellen Oswald focuses her practice on labor law, employment litigation and staffing and contingent workers. Suellen has represented employers of all sizes, from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies, in: Numerous employment lawsuits in both federal and state courts Union organizing campaigns Collective bargaining negotiations Contract administration Labor arbitration cases Suellen also has extensive experience representing employers before various governmental agencies, including the Equ...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.