William H. Pickering

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My relationship with my clients is a partnership. I listen first and talk second, and my clients and I then work together to achieve their goals and objectives.

Profile

Nationally recognized for his client service, Bill Pickering brings to the table a unique combination of employment law and trial experience and a commitment to excellence. Bill's wealth of experience includes the representation of employers in matters involving employment discrimination and retaliation and in labor arbitration with unions. Bill advises clients of their rights and obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), and the laws applicable to government contractors. He prepares affirmative action plans for some of Tennessee’s largest employers and represents those companies in compliance reviews conducted by the federal government.

A member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), Bill has successfully defended numerous jury and non-jury cases, including class actions, in multiple jurisdictions and before various governmental agencies. Bill's trial work includes the handling of major employment and commercial litigation as well as disputes involving independent contractors.

Bill understands his clients’ businesses and uses his extensive experience to assist them in making difficult employment and policy decisions. Bill has been named a Client Service All Star by BTI Consulting Group which selects only about 300 lawyers nationwide for this honor, based on nominations by corporate counsel with Fortune 1000 companies. Bill is listed in the Best Lawyers in America for the representation of management in Labor and Employment matters and has been twice been selected as Chattanooga's Lawyer of the Year for Labor and Employment work.

Experience

Successful defense of Tennessee health care provider in federal age discrimination suit; jury verdict for defendant following four-day trial

Successful defense of separate class actions in California, Florida and Massachusetts in suits involving alleged violations of wage-and-hour laws

Successful representation of two Tennessee employers in separate suits to enforce noncompetition and trade secrecy agreements

Successful defense of separate lawsuits by School System administrators alleging statutory violations and breach of contract in connection with merger of City and County Schools; decisions in client’s favor affirmed by Tennessee Court of Appeals in both cases

Successful defense of Arkansas federal court suit for alleged violations of Americans with Disabilities Act; jury verdict for defendant following three-day trial

Successful defense of Tennessee manufacturer in federal suit alleging violations of ERISA and the Family and Medical Leave Act

Successful defense of Georgia personal injury action in which permanently disabled plaintiff alleged that independent contractor was client’s employee

Successful defense of Tennessee manufacturer in federal suit alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act; decision in client’s favor affirmed by Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Successful defense of Mississippi suit for alleged breach of independent contractor agreement

Successful defense of Tennessee manufacturer in federal suit alleging race discrimination and retaliation; decision in client’s favor affirmed by Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Successful defense of Arkansas retaliatory discharge suit; directed verdict for defendant