ATLANTA - Ford & Harrison LLP, a national labor and employment law firm, is pleased to announce that seven of the firm's attorneys have been named partner. Chris P. Butler in the firm's Atlanta office, Jesse M. Caryl in the firm's L.A. office, Kelly H. Chanfrau in the firm's Tampa office, William N. Hiers in the firm's Atlanta office, Donald R. Lee in the firm's Atlanta office, Rene F. Ruiz in the firm's Miami office, and Kevin D. Smith in the firm's Miami office were named partners to the firm effective February 2, 2009.
Chris Butler focuses his practice primarily on employment litigation matters with an extensive background in tort defense practice. Prior to joining Ford & Harrison, he tried a multitude of cases, predominantly within the areas of general liability and workers' compensation. Earlier in his career, he litigated for a number of years in Chattanooga, Tennessee, whereby he received the Chattanooga Young Lawyer of the Year award and served as Secretary/Treasurer and District Representative for the Chattanooga and Tennessee Bar Associations (YLD). Butler received his J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1997.
Jesse Caryl primarily concentrates his practice on employment litigation, including wage and hour class actions, discrimination and harassment claims, and wrongful terminations in violation of public policy. In addition, he has published several articles concerning compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and California Labor Laws regarding a variety of wage and hour issues. Caryl received his J.D., cum laude, from Pepperdine University School of Law in 2000.
Kelly Chanfrau concentrates her practice in employment law, wage and hour law, litigation and client counseling. She has handled cases in a variety of substantive areas before both state and federal Courts in Florida, the EEOC, DOL, OFCCP, DOAH, City Pension Boards, and County Human Resources Boards. She has successfully represented private and public employers of all sizes in a wide variety of industries. Chanfrau received her J.D., with honors, from the Stetson University College of Law in 2001.
Bill Hiers represents clients in the airline industry. He negotiates collective bargaining agreements, conducts arbitrations and mediations, helps clients remain union-free, consults with clients regarding mergers and acquisitions, and handles personnel and labor relations matters pertaining to the Railway Labor Act and other federal and state employment laws. Hiers received his J.D. from Emory University School of Law in 1985.
Don Lee represents management in labor law matters with a focus on collective bargaining, union organizing campaigns, arbitrations, union avoidance training, and defending claims of unfair labor practices. He has appeared before the National Labor Relations Board and the National Mediation Board on behalf of employers. He is frequently asked to train supervisors and managers on effective union avoidance techniques. Lee received his J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2000.
Rene Ruiz devotes his practice to working with companies on a broad range of labor and employment matters. He defends companies in employment litigation, with an emphasis on discrimination, harassment and the Fair Labor Standards Act. He regularly advises clients regarding compliance with wage and hour laws, Title VII, the Family and Medical Leave Act and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In addition, he regularly negotiates contracts for companies with unionized workforces and advises employers on contract administration. Ruiz received his J.D. from University of Miami School of Law in 2001.
Kevin Smith focuses his practice on defending employers in employment discrimination litigation in federal and state courts. Kevin also provides counseling to employers concerning local, state, and federal employment laws, and assists employers in responding to charges of discrimination filed with administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Smith received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 2001.