Imad Abdullah is an associate in the Memphis Office of Baker, Donelson Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz. Mr. Abdullah concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law and commercial litigation. He works with clients on all aspects of employment litigation under the ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA and Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act. Mr. Abdullah also counsels clients on state and federal compliance issues. His practice includes investigations of claims involving discrimination and/or harassment under Title VII, the Tennessee Human Rights Act or the ADEA and the drafting of clients' responses to subpoenas, attorney demand letters, and state and federal agencies such as the THRC or the EEOC. He provides regular advice to in-house counsel, human resources managers, and various other clients regarding employment issues such as leaves (under the ADA, FMLA); terminations; reasonable accommodations under the ADA; and wage and hour issues under the FLSA.
- Obtained summary judgment against a security company for in a Title VII action filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. The plaintiff filed five separate charges of discrimination with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and the EEOC alleging that he was denied the opportunity to apply for numerous management positions, was transferred from two assignments and terminated because of his race in violation of state and federal law.
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a staffing agency sued by the EEOC for race discrimination (disparate impact theory) against a class of African Americans with prior criminal convictions.
- Successfully argued before the Tennessee Court of Appeals representing a municipal client in upholding the termination of municipal employee for violation of City work rules.
- Argued and obtained summary judgment in favor of retail business on a breach of lease contract claim involving over $200,000 in real estate taxes.
- First chair bench trial in defense of insurance company on bad faith claim.
- Second chair jury verdict in favor of internal medicine physician in wrongful death action alleging negligence in failing to aggressively treat a decubitus ulcer allegedly causing death by septic shock.
- Successfully argued summary judgment before the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee on behalf of a lending institution in a transport leasing and finance dispute.
- Speaker – "Legal & Legislative Update," SHRM – Memphis Half-Day Legal Seminar (2012)
- Speaker – "Tennessee State Employment Law Update," Memphis Bar Association L&E Annual Seminar (2011)
- Speaker – "Exceptions to the General Rules: The basics of the FMLA, ADAAA, Workers' Compensation and USERRA," SHRM – Memphis Half-Day Legal Seminar (2011)
- Speaker – "The Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA)- The Newest Anti-Discrimination Law," Memphis Bar Association Bench-Bar, and Boardroom Conference (2011)
- Speaker – "Legislative Developments and Key Rulings Under The Tennessee Human Rights Act and Americans With Disabilities Act," The Memphis Bar Association and Better Business Bureau – Small Business Outreach Committee (2010)
- Speaker – "Ensuring Workplace of Respect," training on sexual harassment law for large Memphis area real estate development firm (2007)
- Speaker – "Conducting Internal Harassment Investigations," Tennessee Healthcare Association (2007)
- Editor/Contributor – Chapter 37 (The Common Law) Age Discrimination In Employment Act (ADEA) Treatise, Second Cumulative Supplement (BNA 2007)
- Vice President/President Elect – Ben F. Jones Chapter, The National Bar Association
- Legislative/Gov't Relations Chair – Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)
- Treasurer – Labor & Employment Section Memphis Bar Association
- Board member – Pleasant View School (2008 – 2010)
- Tennessee, 2005
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 2012
- United States District Court, Western District of Tennessee, 2005
- University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 2005, cum laude
- University of Minnesota, B.A., 2002, summa cum laude