FordHarrison LLP

The proliferation of state and federal laws creating employee rights has prompted an increasing number of lawsuits that make their way into the legal system. We recognize that clients expect and deserve quality litigation services, which are delivered efficiently and cost effectively.

Our litigators are trial lawyers admitted to practice in state and federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court. Collectively, these attorneys have successfully tried scores of cases before juries and judges throughout the country. Our trial lawyers represent management at all stages of employment disputes including hearings, trials and appeals on both a state and federal level. We also represent public sector clients before civil service boards and other administrative entities, including litigation of such matters as harassment and discrimination, retaliation and employee discipline.

In addition to representation of management in employment disputes, we also represent clients in related business litigation. We litigate such matters as employment contracts, trade secrets, unfair competition and covenants not to compete.

Preventing protracted litigation is always a key goal and Ford & Harrison attorneys are leaders in achieving results through preventive strategies. Our Alternative Dispute Resolution practice is a natural adjunct to our litigation services.

We have significant experience in class action litigation. We have an excellent record of defeating class certification in cases where we have been lead counsel. Our expertise in defending class action lawsuits translates into significant cost savings and victories for our employer clients.

Our goal is to build and sustain an inclusive workplace that mirrors the increasing diversity of our clients and the communities we serve and that will enable the firm to attract and retain top talent and cultivate long-term client relationships.

Strategic Objectives

Ford & Harrison has long believed that diversity and inclusion are the pathways to success, employee fulfillment, and creating lasting and positive change throughout our firm and within the legal profession. We believe in being on the cutting edge of everything that we do and to continue to guide our path towards that goal, we have focused our diversity and inclusion efforts on three distinct, yet intertwined objectives:

I. Recruit, Retain, Advance – Integrate recruitment, retention and advancement into our firm's overall objectives, through continuing to create partnerships within the community, develop an environment that is truly supportive of change and fosters good working relationships and create an achievable pathway to advancement within the firm.

 II. Create a Better Workplace – Foster a culture and work environment that focuses on developing a tailored plan for internal and external mentoring and opportunities for cross cultural dialogue to eliminate subtle bias, stereotyping and open minds to alternative solutions

 III. Create an Engaged and Active Workforce – Develop and implement a plan for utilizing the firm's "assets" – its members, to create a culture of inclusion through innovation, collaboration and risk taking for change

 Ford & Harrison has the ability to meet these objectives and recognizes the beneficial impact a successful diversity and inclusion program will have on firm morale, productivity, strategies and success. Consequently, it has brought together a Diversity and Inclusion Committee to lead this charge. The committee serves as an integral part of the firm's management and operational structure and is comprised of 9 lawyers and 4 administration professionals. The members are:

Dawn Siler-Nixon, Diversity & Inclusion Partner/Executive Committee, Tampa
Louis Britt, Equity Partner, Memphis
Ellen Ham, Equity Partner, Atlanta
Ron Kimzey, Equity Partner/Executive Committee, Atlanta
Matt Rita, Partner, Denver
Elizabeth Rodriguez, Equity Partner, Miami
Daniel Sulton, Partner, Spartanburg
Craig Thorstenson, Equity Partner, Chicago
Kay Wolf, Equity Partner/Executive Committee, Orlando
Lynne Donaghy, Chief Client Development Officer, Atlanta
Meg Holman, Chief Strategic Officer, Atlanta
Tamara Toussaint, Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator, Atlanta
Alice Trahant, Director of Recruiting, Atlanta

Our commitment to diversity is also demonstrated by the involvement our attorneys have in a variety of associations that promote diversity in the legal profession, the business community and our individual cities and neighborhoods. Some representative examples are:

• African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida
• Airport Minority Advisory Council
• Anti-Defamation League
• Associated Builders and Contractors, Women's Council
• Association of Women Attorneys
• California Women Lawyers Association
• Central Florida Association of Women Lawyers
• Cuban-American Bar Association
• DC Commission on Human Rights
• Florida Association for Women Lawyers
• Georgia Association for Women Lawyers
• Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys
• Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers
• Hispanic National Bar Association
• Latin American Association
• Memphis Minority Business Council
• Memphis Urban League Young Professionals
• National Association of African Americans in Human Resources
• National Bar Association (African-American Bar Association)
• National Conference of Women's Bar Associations
• New York Women's Bar Association