FordHarrison LLP, one of the country’s largest management-side labor and employment law firms, is pleased to announce that Michel Bayonne, Partner, Hartford, CT and Patrick D. Coleman, Partner, Jacksonville, FL have joined the firm. Mike comes to the firm from McCarter & English and Pat comes from GrayRobinson.
Mike Bayonne advises clients on a wide range of employment matters, including complaints of employment discrimination, sexual harassment and other related allegations at the state and federal level. He has experience handling work for municipalities and companies in the energy and healthcare industries and appears on behalf of clients in arbitration hearings before the Connecticut State Board of Mediation and Arbitration and the American Arbitration Association. Mike recently obtained victories in matters involving promotions and transfers, workload issues, subcontracting claims, alleged entitlements to overtime, disciplinary actions, terminations, and insurance matters. He routinely conducts internal investigations into allegations of employment law violations such as gender and race discrimination and sexual harassment. Mike is also experienced in advising employers in issues related to labor relations including implementation of collective bargaining agreements, handling internal disciplinary and pre-arbitration grievance hearings, and defending against prohibited practice charges before the Connecticut State Board of Labor Relations.
“Mike’s wealth of knowledge regarding employment law and his commitment to outstanding client service make him a valuable addition to the firm. We are happy to have him on board,” said Johanna Zelman, Office Managing Partner of the firm’s Hartford office.
Pat Coleman is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in labor and employment law. He has more than 40 years of experience representing management in employment law disputes and has litigated all manner of labor and employment law cases in state and federal courts, including claims arising under the federal and state civil rights acts. He has had several oral arguments before federal appellate courts as well as the Florida Supreme Court. He focuses his practice on the logistics industry, including trucking, warehouse, and port security and has extensive experience litigating and advising clients on noncompete and trade secret issues. A significant portion of Pat’s practice is devoted to preventive counsel including providing executive and supervisory training on best practices in employment law compliance. He has advised clients in labor relations issues his entire career including counseling clients on union campaigns, collective bargaining, and contract administration. Pat is also a certified mediator capable of mediating complex employment law and business litigation cases.
“We are pleased to have Pat join the firm,” said Amy Turci, Office Managing Partner of the firm’s Jacksonville office. “He is an experienced litigator and will be an asset to our clients, our office, and the firm.”