EEO

The number of federal and state laws that protect classes of employees and broaden the definition of prohibited discrimination is ever-increasing. It is quite difficult, if not impossible, for employers to navigate through Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the many other relevant statutes without assistance. In order to help our clients, many of the Firm's attorneys concentrate on defending employers against discrimination claims, whether they are brought before an administrative agency such as the EEOC, or in federal or state court.

We help clients conduct harassment and discrimination investigations, prepare formal responses to agency charges and requests for information, and provide full litigation services once a claim has been filed in court. And because prevention is an integral part of the EEO responsibilities of human resources professionals, we also assist with policy formulation, and conduct all Supreme Court-mandated supervisor and manager training.

Representative Matters

• Obtained dismissal of a $10.5 million action against piano string manufacturer that included purported causes of action under the Tennessee Public Protection Act and common law prohibition against retaliatory discharge and outrageous conduct.
• Obtained summary judgment for Meharry Medical School in a complaint brought by a former resident of the school's Residency Program claiming breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation and violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, HIPAA, Fair Labor Standards Act and Privacy Protection Act.
• Defended trucking company and obtained a favorable jury verdict in a lawsuit filed by a former employee alleging Title VII and Section 1981 of the Tennessee Human Rights Act violations of failure to pay the same wages as similarly situated employees, and that they retaliated for filing an EEOC charge.
• Obtained summary judgment for aircraft industry parts and accessories supplier against Title VII discrimination violations alleging failure to hire based on race.
• Defended Northwest Airlines and obtained summary judgment against Equipment Service Employee claims of Tennessee Handicap Act violations. The Court found that the claims were pre-empted because they were "inextricably intertwined" with the collective bargaining agreement covering the plaintiff.