FordHarrison LLP, one of the country’s largest management-side labor and employment law firms, is pleased to announce that Jeffrey A. Shooman, Counsel, Berkeley Heights, NJ; Valerie K. Ferrier, Senior Associate, New York, NY; and Destiny S. Washington, Senior Associate, Atlanta, GA, have joined the firm.
Jeff Shooman focuses his practice on the representation of management in employment law disputes. He is a seasoned litigator and has represented clients from various industries including restaurants, healthcare, and transportation, as well as public sector entities at the trial and appellate levels in both state and federal court. Prior to joining FordHarrison, Jeff served as a partner in a New Jersey-based boutique firm focusing on complex litigation. He also led the firm's appellate practice. Earlier in his career, he served as law clerk to the Honorable Esther Salas in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. In 2017, the Supreme Court of New Jersey appointed Jeff to serve on the District Ethics Committee for Hudson County, District VI, for a four-year term.
Valerie Ferrier’s employment law experience includes defending claims brought under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York State Human Rights Law, the New York City Human Rights law, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the New York Labor Law. She focuses her practice on working with government and public employers. Prior to joining FordHarrison, Valerie served as a senior associate with for a New York-based corporate defense firm. Earlier in her career, she worked for nearly eight years in the in-house law department of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, ultimately attaining the position of Executive Agency Counsel. In this role, Valerie defended the agency against a host of cases involving claims of civil rights violations, employment discrimination, disability discrimination, and insurance claims. She handled all aspects of the defense of these cases including jury trials and appeals.
Destiny Washington has an extensive background representing clients in both state and federal courts and before administrative agencies. She has advised clients in all manner of employment law disputes including claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour violations. She also has experience in labor relations, counseling clients on the legal issues related to union campaigns, collective bargaining, and arbitrations. Prior to joining FordHarrison, Destiny was a Senior Associate in an Atlanta-based law firm, primarily handling employment law issues. Destiny's background includes experience in the education industry, having worked with the Atlanta Public Schools’ Office of Employee Relations. She has also served as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Atlanta as well as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia. Destiny is a veteran of both the U.S. Army and the Louisiana Army National Guard.