Six Fisher & Phillips Columbia Attorneys Ranked Among Top in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Business Lawyers

COLUMBIA, SC – Fisher & Phillips LLP announces that six attorneys in its Columbia office, and a total of 48 attorneys nationwide, are featured in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2014. The firm is ranked as one of the top labor and employment law firms in the United States. In addition, the Fisher & Phillips office in Columbia was ranked among the top labor and employment law firms in South Carolina.

Each year, Chambers USA publishes a list of the top law firms and attorneys across the United States. It determines rankings through thousands of in-depth interviews with randomly selected attorneys, clients, and businesses.

Jonathan Pearson, Managing Partner of the Columbia office of Fisher & Phillips said: “Our attorneys are consistently recognized for both their top-notch legal work and their commitment to stellar client service. As a firm committed to providing practical solutions to business issues, we are honored to be included among the nation’s top counselors in assisting businesses with their legal challenges.”

Columbia attorneys Michael D. Carrouth, G. Daniel Ellzey, Fred Manning, Stephen C. Mitchell, Jonathan P. Pearson and J. Hagood Tighe are listed for Labor and Employment Law.

Mike Carrouth is a partner in the Columbia office. He is certified as a Specialist in Labor Law by the South Carolina Supreme Court. Mike has represented clients in successfully responding to union organizing efforts in 28 states. This work includes successfully defending against multi-site and multi-state national organizing blitzes and card-check/neutrality campaigns. Mike also has represented clients in numerous litigation matters, including jury trials, involving FMLA, Title VII, breach of employment contract, and non-compete enforcement. He practices before state and federal courts, the National Labor Relations Board, and state and federal administrative agencies in the areas of union related matters, employment litigation, discrimination cases, non-compete agreements, and wrongful discharge cases. Mike is “AV” Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Mike has been selected for inclusion in South Carolina Super Lawyers since 2008. He has been listed in Chambers USA, America’s Leading Business Lawyers since 2005 and in The Best Lawyers in America since 2007. He also was selected by his peers to be one of Greater Columbia Business Monthly’s Legal Elite in 2011 and 2013.

Dan Ellzey is a partner in the Columbia office. He practices both labor and employment law. In the employment area, Dan counsels clients on all state and federal employment laws (Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, etc.), major staff reductions and facility closures, labor law implications of mergers and acquisitions, OSHA compliance, and wage and hour matters. Dan litigates cases involving discrimination, wrongful discharge, ERISA, non-compete, and other employment-related matters in federal and state courts. He also represents companies before the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. In the labor area, Dan advises companies across the nation on union avoidance and proactive employee relations plans. Dan is certified as a Specialist in Employment and Labor Law by the Supreme Court of South Carolina. He is “AV” Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized in South Carolina Super Lawyers since 2008. Dan has also been listed in Chambers USA, America’s Leading Business Lawyers since 2004 and in The Best Lawyers in America since 2006.  He was selected by his peers to be one of Greater Columbia Business Monthly’s 2010 Legal Elite. Dan was also recognized as an Employment Law – Management Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in America for 2014.

Fred Manning is a partner in the Columbia office. He has extensive experience litigating employment law matters involving civil rights, contracts, and wrongful termination claims. He regularly provides advice and assistance to employers regarding the drafting and enforcement of restrictive covenants, employment contracts and corrective action. Fred has assisted employers throughout the United States in union related matters. He also has extensive experience in representing private colleges and universities in matters relating to employment and faculty and student issues. Fred is the author of “Public Policy Exception Open to Possible Expansion in Employment At-Will Situations” 48 S.C.L. Rev. 133 (1996). He is certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court as a Specialist in Employment and Labor Law. While in law school, he served as the Associate Editor-in-Chief for the South Carolina Law Review. Fred is “AV” Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 2012.

Stephen Mitchell is a partner in the Columbia office. His practice emphasizes employment litigation as well as traditional labor law. He has handled administrative charges and lawsuits in state and federal courts involving wrongful discharge, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, ERISA, FMLA, FLSA, employment testing, as well as other types of employment based claims. Steve has also assisted employers in handling class action litigation. In the traditional labor law arena, Steve has represented employers throughout the United States in a broad variety of union related matters. Steve is certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court as a Specialist in Employment and Labor Law. He is “AV” Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and he has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America since 2010.

Jon Pearson is managing partner of the Columbia office. His practice emphasizes employment litigation of all types before state and federal courts, as well as traditional labor law. He has handled lawsuits and administrative charges involving wrongful discharge, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA and FLSA, as well as many other types of employment-based claims. Jon has also represented numerous employers before the National Labor Relations Board in union representation elections and unfair labor practice charges. Jon has been particularly active in assisting employers in union contract negotiations and in dealing with strike-related issues, such as contingency planning and injunction proceedings. He regularly represents employers with occupational safety and health issues, including litigating contested citations before state and federal agencies. Jon is certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court as a Specialist in Employment and Labor Law and as a Certified Mediator. He has also served as Chairman of the Employment and Labor Section of the South Carolina Bar. Jon is “AV” Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been included in the South Carolina Super Lawyers list since 2008. He has been listed in Chambers USA, America’s Leading Business Lawyers since 2003 and in The Best Lawyers in America since 2006.

Hagood Tighe is a partner in the Columbia office. He practices exclusively in the area of labor and employment law, representing management in union matters and employment litigation. While he maintains an active litigation practice, he also focuses on providing practical and proactive advice designed to minimize the risk of litigation. He also provides training for supervisors and managers on harassment, EEO compliance, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and many other areas. Additionally, Hagood has authored numerous articles in the area of employment law and regularly lectures at seminars regarding employment law. In 2013, Hagood received the Carolyn Holderman Vision Award by the Central Carolina Community Foundation for his leadership as Chairman. Hagood was a 2004 recipient of the Silver Compleat Lawyer Award from the University of South Carolina School of Law Alumni Association. This award recognizes alumni who have made significant contributions to the legal profession and who exemplify the highest standard of professional competence, ethics, and integrity. Hagood is “AV” Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been included in South Carolina Super Lawyers. He has been listed in Chambers USA, America’s Leading Business Lawyers since 2007 and in The Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Hagood has been selected by his peers to be one of Greater Columbia Business Monthly’s Legal Elite every year since 2010. The same publication named him one of the “50 Most Influential People for 2011.” He is certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court as a Specialist in Employment and Labor Law. In 2013, The Richland County Bar Association recognized Hagood with its Civic Star Award.

About Fisher & Phillips LLP

Fisher & Phillips LLP is a national law firm committed to providing practical business solutions for employers’ workplace legal problems. Labor and employment law is all the firm does, offering deep and broad knowledge and experience in the area of the law the attorneys know best. Fisher & Phillips attorneys help clients avoid legal problems, are dedicated to providing exceptional client service, and are there when you need them. The firm has 300 attorneys in 31 offices. In addition to Columbia, the offices are in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Gulfport, Houston, Irvine, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, New England, New Jersey, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Tampa, and Washington, D.C. (www.laborlawyers.com)