Select Matters
- Dismissal of NLRB consolidated complaint alleging unlawful termination/refusal to hire class of LiUNA members: Lead counsel in defending employer against NLRB consolidated unfair labor practice complaint involving three regional offices and two additional representation petitions alleging unlawful withdrawal from contract, termination and refusal to hire members of Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA). Charges filed February 24, 2022 and complaint issued September 2022. Parties entered into a settlement and release agreement providing for zero financial payment and the NLRB dismissed all unfair labor practice charges and petitions against the employers (NLRB Cases 01-CA-292021, 02-CA-292090, 04-CA-298171, and 01-RC-304016 and 04-RC-306377, August 2025).
- Arbitration over short term disability compensation: Lead counsel in arbitration in which Arbitrator Joseph Celentano found the employer properly calculated short term disability payments under the CBA (FMCS Case No. 230725-07885 (2024)).
- Tort and contract claims attacking “dual capacity” employees to circumvent workers’ comp exclusive remedy provisions: Co-counsel in multiple lawsuits against employer and employee-leasing company asserting claims against co-employers to defeat exclusive remedy provisions of Mississippi Workers Compensation law. Summary judgment granted in multiple cases from 2022-2026 (Jamie Fredericks, et al. v. CH Cranes & Components, USA, Inc., et al., Case No. 1:25-cv-222 (April 2026)); Prentiss Gamage v. Jindal Tubular USA, LLC, et al., Case No. 1:22-cv-207 (2023); Moore & Moore v. Jindal Tubular USA, LLC, et al., Case No. 1:21-cv-383 (2022)).
- Arbitration seeking to overturn three-day unpaid disciplinary suspension: Lead counsel before Arbitrator Kathryn A. VanDagens in which she denied the grievance of a nuclear security officer, finding that she engaged in improper conduct toward a fellow nuclear security officer and the employer had just cause to impose a three-day unpaid suspension (FMCS Case No. 250110-02582 (2026)).
- FLSA collective class action: Co-counsel for largest lift boat operator in Gulf of Mexico against FLSA collective action claims. Summary judgment in favor of employer in USDC LA WD on October 15, 2019. Fifth Circuit reversed and remanded to the District Court February 11, 2021. Following further proceedings and substantial reduction in number and amount of collective claims, settled Adams v. AllCoast in 2025.
- Arbitration regarding four nuclear security officers’ refusal of mandatory overtime: Lead counsel in arbitration in which Arbitrator Rebekah J. Smith found the employer had just cause to discipline four nuclear security officers for refusing mandatory overtime and agreed with the employer’s position that the contract required all nuclear security officers to accept mandatory overtime assignments. (FMCS Case No. 231219-01936 (2024)).
- Race discrimination and retaliation lawsuit against agency and managers: Lead counsel in lawsuit in USDC SD MS for race and retaliation discrimination. Summary judgment for all individuals (managers) and agency. (2022, Kenneth M. Jones v. The Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office, et al., Case No. 3:18-cv-281).
- Union claim of continuing work jurisdiction: Lead counsel for Employer in 8 arbitrations before 4 arbitrators in which IBEW local claimed a continuing right to work previously performed by at least 45 employees even though all had executed voluntary severance packages. Following hearings, motions and briefing involving 4 of the 8 cases, three arbitrators granted Employer’s motion to dismiss; leading to subsequent dismissal of all cases and related unfair labor practice charges (2022).
- Age and disability discrimination lawsuit by a manager: Lead counsel in lawsuit against employer in USDC SD MS for age and disability discrimination. Summary judgment for employer by USDC SD MS. Affirmed by 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. (2019, Mark Muller v. Mississippi Power Company, Case No. 19-60301).
- Disability and age discrimination claims against employer: Lead counsel for employer in lawsuit by former employee alleging disability and age discrimination. Summary Judgment for employer in USDC ND MS. Affirmed by 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. (2018, James Jackson v. Oil-Dri Corporation of America, Case No. 18-60361).
- Breach of labor contract/judgment against union: Lead counsel in lawsuit against IUOE Local 406 in the USDC SD TX for breach of contract, tortious breach of contract, and other claims involving local union’s expulsion of IUOE members from Louisiana and other states working for client. Following trial, the USDC SD TX awarded client damages in the amount of $413,789.53. Following Union’s appeal, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court’s judgment plus costs. IUOE Local 406 paid $457,444.06. (2016, Turner Industries Group, LLC v. Local 450, IUOE, U.S. Ct. of Appeals, 5th Circuit, (No. 15-20277)).
Publications
News
Events & Speaking Engagements
Credentials
Education
- Louisiana State University School of Law, J.D., 1972
- Tulane University, B.A., 1969, Economics
Courts
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Mississippi, 1976
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Mississippi, 1976
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, 1991
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana, 1996
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 1976
Bar Admissions
- Mississippi, 1975
- Louisiana, 1972
Professional Affiliations
- Mississippi DRI - Lawyers Representing Business; president, 1988-1989
- Mississippi Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section, chair, 1987-1988
- Mississippi Bar Foundation, fellow
- American Bar Association Developing Labor Law Committee, chapter editor, 1980-2008
- College of Labor and Employment Law, fellow; Fifth Circuit Credentials Committee, chair, 2016; Fifth Circuit Regional Seminar, co-chair, 2016
- Multi-State Labor and Employment Seminar, program chair, 1984-2010
Awards & Accolades
- Mississippi Business Journal, Mississippi Leading Attorney, 2010
- Chambers USA, Labor and Employment Law, Star Individual, Band 1, 2003 - present
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, 1988 – present
- Human Resource Executive Magazine, Hall of Fame 2016 Inductee: The Nation’s Most Powerful Employment Attorneys
- Human Resource Executive Magazine, Top 100: The Nation’s Most Powerful Employment Attorneys, 2010 - present
- Martindale-Hubbell - VA rating 1984 - present
- Mid-South Super Lawyers
- Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association, Lifetime Achievement Award, 20217
Community Involvement
- Country Club of Jackson Subdivision Association, Covenants Committee, Chair, 2015-2016
- The Breakers Homeowners Association, board member, 2012-2015; President, 2014-2015
- Country Club of Jackson Subdivision Association, Covenants Committee, President, 1992-1993