J. Randall Patterson is a shareholder in the Jackson, Mississippi, office and concentrates his practice in labor and employment law. He represents employers before the EEOC and other state and federal agencies, and advises employers on many topics including policies and procedures, reductions in force, wage and hour issues, employee handbooks, drug testing and employment contracts. In employment litigation, Mr. Patterson has experience in a full range of employment related claims including: sexual harassment; age, race and disability discrimination, FLSA collective actions; retaliatory discharge and employment related defamation claims. Mr. Patterson has litigation experience in ERISA litigation cases involving the denial of employee benefits, breach of fiduciary duties and related claims, and in antitrust and white collar criminal defense.
- Successfully defended a regional commercial contractor against an unfair labor practices charge brought by a local union alleging that the contractor had taken retaliatory measures against two individuals who complained that they and other employees were not being paid prevailing wages. After an extensive investigation by the National Labor Relations Board, the charge was dismissed.
- Obtained summary judgment for national restaurant operator in a lawsuit asserting claims of sexual harassment.
- Won partial summary judgment for construction company in suit asserting both federal and state employment law claims as well as multiple state law torts.
- Obtained summary judgment for regional health center in an employment case in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi in which the plaintiff asserted claims against the hospital and its administrator for wrongful termination in retaliation for the exercise of protected speech, as well as various state law claims.
- Successfully represented mental health facility in wrongful discharge case based on race and disability discrimination, and a pendant state law claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress. Obtained summary judgment based on plaintiff's failure to comply with the procedural requirements of the Mississippi Tort Claims Act.
- Won summary judgment on all claims for defendant in an action alleging disability discrimination based upon the perception prong of the Americans with Disabilities Act, retaliation, as well as intentional infliction of emotional distress, and the negligent hiring/supervision of supervisors.
- Obtained summary judgment for mental health facility and its individual board members in action alleging breach of employment contract, section 1983 claim, freedom of association, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
- Contributing Author – Litigating the Workplace Harassment Case, Chapter 5, "Defense Perspective – Responding to a Charge or Complaint," ABA Publication (2009)
- Contributing Author – Inside the Minds: Employment Dispute Resolution, "The Role of the Mediator in Resolving Employment Disputes," Asptore Publications (2008)
- Contributing Co-author – DRI Young Lawyers Forms Book, 2nd Edition, "Implied Contract Claims," DRI Publication (2008)
- Contributing Co-author – Encyclopedia of Mississippi Law, "Employment Law," West Group (2002)
- Contributing Co-author – DRI Young Lawyers Forms Book, "Implied Contract Claims," DRI Publication (2002)
- Contributing Author – Litigating the Sexual Harassment Case, Chapter 5, "Defense Perspective: Responding to a Charge or Complaint," ABA Publication (2000)
- Author – "On-Call Employees – Issues for Health Care Providers," Health Law Section News from the Mississippi Bar (June 2000)
- Author – "Investing in Pro Bono Work," The Mississippi Lawyer (March–April, 2000)
- Author – "Litigating the Sexual Harassment Lawsuit," The Trial Lawyer (1999)
- Co-author – "HTI Services, Inc. v. Quorum Health Group, Inc.: A Primer in the Litigation of Physician Antitrust Actions," Trial Diplomacy Journal (1998)
- Author – "Punitive Damages Awarded in Hospital Employment Case," Benders Health Care Law Monthly (1997)
- Author – "Intimate Injuries: Are There Constitutional Protections from Family Violence?" Campbell University Law Review (1993)
- Author – "In the Best Interest of the Child: A Practical Guide to Child Custody Litigation," Mississippi Law Review (1993)
- Co-author – "Dividing the Property in a Marital Dissolution," University of Mississippi Law Journal (1992)
- Guest Speaker – Mississippi Society for Human Resource Management State Conference, "Top Ten Liability Causing Mistakes," Jackson, Mississippi (Scheduled April 2010)
- Faculty Member – American Conference Institute, Employment Discrimination Litigation conference,"Procedural Strategies for Winning Employment Discrimination Cases: Spotlight on Removal and Summary Judgment," New York, New York (February 2010)
- Faculty Member – Mississippi Manufacturers' Association Seminar, "Human Resource Audits," Jackson, Mississippi (November 2009)
- Guest Speaker – Clinton Chamber of Commerce, "Top Ten Most Common Mistakes Made by Mississippi Employers," Clinton, Mississippi (October 2009)
- Faculty Member – Mississippi Manufacturers' Association Seminar, "Complying with Employment Laws," Jackson, Mississippi (September 2009)
- Faculty Member – Harrison Hancock Society for Human Resources Management Chapter Annual Employment Law Seminar, "Employment Law Considerations for 21st Century Employers," Waveland, Mississippi (September 2009)
- Faculty Member – National Business Institute, "Business law From A-Z," Overview of Employment Laws, Jackson, Mississippi (May 2009)
- Faculty Member – Lorman Education Services, "Employment Law from A to Z," Gulfport, Mississippi, (April 2009)
- Moderator – Lorman Educational Services Seminar, "Understanding and Complying with the Ever-Changing Employment and Labor Laws in Mississippi," Jackson, Mississippi (March 2009)
- Faculty Member – Sterling Education Services Seminar, "Employment Law Update," Jackson, Mississippi (March 2009)
- Faculty Member – Law Education Institute, National CLE Conference, Civil Litigation Program, "Employee Privacy: Who is Watching Who?" Vail, Colorado (January 2009)
- Moderator – Mississippi Manufacturers Association Seminar, "Nuts and Bolts of Employment Law," Jackson, Mississippi (September 2008)
- Faculty Member – National Business Institute Seminar, "The Essentials of Law Office Management," Legal Ethics, Jackson, Mississippi (June 2008)
- Moderator – Lorman Educational Services Seminar, "Writing Job Descriptions and Compensation Analysis," Tupelo, Mississippi (June 2008)
- Moderator – Lorman Educational Services Seminar, "Employment Law from A to Z," Gulfport, Mississippi (April 2008); Tupelo, Mississippi (March 2008; March 2007); Jackson, Mississippi (March 2008; November 2007)
- Faculty Member – Sterling Education Services Seminar, "Employment Law Update in Mississippi," Jackson, Mississippi (January 2008)
- Moderator – Lorman Educational Services Seminar, "Employee Discharge and Documentation in Mississippi," Tupelo, Mississippi (November 2007); Biloxi, Mississippi (November 2007)
- Faculty Member – National Business Institute Seminar, "Small Office Management For the Legal Professional," Legal Ethics, Jackson, Mississippi (November 2007)
- Adjunct Professor of Law – Mississippi College School of Law, Jackson, Mississippi; Pretrial Practice, Employment Law (1994 – Present)
- Moderator – Lorman Educational Services Seminars, "Payroll Fundamentals," Tupelo, Mississippi (May 2007)
- Moderator – Lorman Educational Services Seminars, "Wage and Hour Law Update in Mississippi," Jackson, Mississippi (April 2007)
- Guest Speaker – Metro Legal Professionals Association Annual Excellence Banquet, "Winning Teamwork and Achieving Goals," Ridgeland, Mississippi (February 2007)
- Guest Speaker – Rankin County Chamber of Commerce, "Top Ten Most Common Mistakes Made by Mississippi Employers," Flowood, Mississippi (February 2007)
- Faculty Member – Law Education Institute, National CLE Conference, Civil Litigation Programs, "ADR as an Alternative Trial in Civil Cases," Aspen, Colorado (January 2007)
- Faculty Member – Lorman Education Services Seminar, "Assessing Your HR Policies and Practices in Mississippi," Jackson, Mississippi (November 2006)
- Guest Speaker – Metro Jackson Chamber of Commerce Regional Employers’ Council Meeting, "Most Common Mistakes Made by Mississippi Employers" (November 2006)
- Guest Speaker – National Association of Government Accountants, "Overview of Employment Law and "Mediation of Disputes," Jackson, Mississippi (May 2006)
- Faculty Member – Lorman Business Center, Inc. Seminar, "Human Resource Pitfalls in Mississippi: Where Do I Stand? What Do I Do?" Jackson, Mississippi (May 2006)
- Faculty Member – Lorman Business Center, Inc. Seminar, "Employment Law from A to Z in Mississippi," Hattiesburg, Mississippi (March 2006)
- Guest Speaker – National Women’s Accounting Association, "Overview of Employment Law," Jackson, Mississippi (August 2005)
- Faculty Member – Lorman Business Center, Inc. Seminar, "Employment Related Records," Tupelo, Mississippi (June 2005); Hattiesburg, Mississippi (March 2005)
- Faculty Member – Lorman Business Center, Inc. Seminar, "Fair Labor Standards Act in Mississippi," Tupelo, Mississippi (April 2005)
- Faculty Member – Lorman Business Center, Inc. Seminar, "Employee Discharge and Documentation in Mississippi," Hattiesburg, Mississippi (December 2004)
- Faculty Member – Lorman Business Center, Inc. Seminar, "Human Resource Audits in Mississippi," Tupelo, Mississippi (November 2004); Biloxi, Mississippi (April 2004); Gulfport, Mississippi (April, 2004); Jackson, Mississippi (December 2003; December 2002)
- Faculty Member – Lorman Business Center, Inc., Seminar "Employment Related Records in Mississippi," Hattiesburg, Mississippi (May 2004; March 2004)
- Program Chair – "Most Common Mistakes by Mississippi Employers," Mississippi Society for Human Resource Management State Conference, Tunica, Mississippi (April 2004)
- Program Chair – "Employment Law Advanced Training Seminar," Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Jackson, Mississippi (February 2004)
- Program Chair – Baker Donelson "Labor and Employment Law Seminar," Jackson, Mississippi (October 2003)
- Faculty Member – Lorman Business Center, Inc. Seminar "Mississippi Wage and Hour Issues," Hattiesburg, Mississippi (April 2003; April 2002)
- Program Chair – "Workplace Liability and Employment Law-Watch Your Step," Southern Gaming Summit 2002, Gulfport, Mississippi (May 2002)
- Faculty Member – Lorman Business Center, Inc., Seminar "Time Off," Jackson, Mississippi (May 2002)
- Faculty Member – Lorman Business Center, Inc. Seminar, "Mississippi Wage and Hour Law Update," Jackson, Mississippi (January 2002)
- Listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers as a leading employment lawyer in Mississippi since 2007
- Listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers (2006 and 2007)
- AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Member – Mississippi, Capital Area, North Carolina State and American (Sections on: Labor Law; Tort and Insurance; Contributing Author, 2000) Bar Associations
- Member – Mississippi Defense Lawyer's Association
- Member – Defense Research Institute
- Member – Professional Liability Underwriting Society
- Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project President's Award – Lawyer of the Year (1999)
- Member – Society of Human Resource Management
- Adjunct Professor of Law – Mississippi College
- Articles Editor – Mississippi College Law Review
- Barrister – American Inns of Court (2006, 2007, 2008)
- Member – Association of Citadel Men
- Tennessee, 2007
- Mississippi, 1991
- North Carolina, 1992
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- United States Supreme Court
- Alternative Dispute Resolution Panel of Neutrals, U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Northern Districts of Mississippi
- Mississippi College School of Law, J.D., 1991, with special distinction
- The Citadel, B.A. English, distinguished military graduate