Labor & Employment

August 18, 2022

FormanWatkins Attorneys Included in 2023 Best Lawyers® List

FormanWatkins is pleased to announce that 24 attorneys have been named to The Best Lawyers in America© list for 2023. FormanWatkins Partner Malissa Wilson was named a “Lawyer of the Year” for Jackson, Miss., in Labor and Employment litigation. Those named “Lawyers of the Year” received the highest overall peer-feedback in the listed practice area and geographic region. Only one attorney is recognized as the “Lawyer of the Year” for each specialty and location. In addition, 15 FormanWatkins attorneys were named to The Best Lawyers in America: “Ones to Watch”  list, a recognition of attorneys who are on the rise, excelling in their career. Established in 1983, Best Lawyers® has earned the respect of the profession, the media and the public as the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals. For the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, more than 12.2 million votes were analyzed to identify the top legal talent, as identified by their peers. Forman Watkins & Krutz LLP would like to congratulate the following attorneys: 2023 Best Lawyers in America Charles H. Abbott  Commercial Litigation Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants Mary Clift Abdalla  Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants Product Liability Litigation – Defendants Michael H. Abraham Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants Product Liability Litigation – Defendants Pete F. Andarsio  Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants Mary R. Arthur Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants James L. Banks Commercial […]

August 2, 2022

Sampada Kapoor Breaks Down U.S. Labor Union Spike

The American Bar Association’s Business Law Today recently featured an article written by FormanWatkins attorney Sampada Kapoor on the U.S. Labor Union spike. Sampada explores the unique factors that have caused a newfound rise of labor unions in recent years – a stark contrast to trends in recent decades. Read more here: https://businesslawtoday.org/2022/07/us-labor-union-spike/

May 17, 2022

Wilson and Ritchie Speak at Mississippi Employment Law 2022 Seminar

Malissa Wilson and Spencer Ritchie were speakers at the Mississippi Employment Law 2022 seminar sponsored by the National Business Institute, which was held May 3, 2022. The basic level seminar examined current issues in Mississippi employment law for attorneys, human resources and financial professionals, and other business executives. Wilson and Ritchie spoke about issues related to hiring and firing employees and discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims against employers. Click here to learn more about FormanWatkins’ Labor & Employment practice.

December 16, 2021

Gault and Ritchie Complete Successful Department of Labor Whistle Blower Trial

Win Gault and Spencer Ritchie completed a successful administrative law trial before the United States Department of Labor, Office of Administrative Law Judges.  The plaintiff, a former pilot, claimed monetary damages under the FAA whistle blower provisions from his employer in the high six-figures.  After a three-day trial and substantial post-trial briefing, the administrative law judge awarded only $2,700 in damages.

November 10, 2021

Employment Law Update: With COVID-19 Numbers Down, Vaccinations Up, Employer’s Things-To-Do List

For 18 months, companies have been consumed with navigating a myriad of operational challenges during this once-in-a-generation pandemic.  HR departments have had the daunting task of interpreting in real time the onslaught of executive and state orders, congressional acts, and federal agencies guidelines to implement COVID-19 policies and procedures to address a variety of personnel matters from remote work to vaccination directives.

October 1, 2021

Malissa Wilson Re-Joins Forman Watkins & Krutz as Partner

FormanWatkins is pleased to announce that Malissa Wilson has re-joined the firm as a partner in its Jackson, Mississippi office.  Malissa brings to the firm nearly 20 years of litigation and trial experience, much of which has involved handling employment matters.

April 6, 2020

COVID-19: Applying the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

With the recent implementation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), small business owners have more questions than answers applying the law in real time as shelter-in-place orders go into effect in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Department of Labor (DOL) has answered several questions in its Q&A sheets to assist employers on their responsibilities under the Act.  The following is a recap of the DOL’s answers to some of the more pertinent questions:

March 20, 2020

Employment Law Update – COVID-19 and the Workplace:  An Employer’s Quick Guide

With COVID-19 reaching pandemic status and the total number of cases in the United States surging, it has become critical that employers have a response strategy.  Any response strategy to COVID-19 should consider the current and developing labor and employment laws implicated by the COVID-19 crisis along with the concerns that could arise outside the employment context, including potential tort and contract liability.