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Profile
Mr. Hughes is licensed to practice in four states and is admitted to numerous federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, and has handled jury and bench trials throughout the country – employing local counsel if needed. Through trial and motion practice, Mr. Hughes has successfully represented employers in all types of employment discrimination and harassment claims, ERISA cases, and in various commercial litigation and business disputes. In addition to a vast array of single plaintiff cases, his litigation experience includes numerous multi-plaintiff cases and class actions. Mr. Hughes also serves as primary relationship attorney for a number of firm clients - both large and small - and regularly advises them on all aspects of employment law, including state and federal discrimination statutes, wage and hour issues including job classification and overtime pay, non-compete agreements and enforceability, ADA and FMLA compliance, and workers compensation. Mr. Hughes has also successfully resolved numerous cases for his clients through alternative dispute resolution, and has served as a mediator himself, giving him a unique perspective that can benefit clients in mediation. He has also spoken to audiences of attorneys on topics such as ADA/FMLA/workers compensation interplay and employment law considerations in workers compensation cases and settlements. Mr. Hughes has earned Martindale Hubbell's "AV" (highest) rating from his peers.
Mr. Hughes resides in Atlanta and, in addition to his family, his outside interests include travel and running with his dogs. Before joining Ogletree, Mr. Hughes worked with a general practice firm in Tennessee where he was exposed to a wide variety of business issues – including, but not limited to labor and employment law - and gained extensive litigation experience as a beginning associate. Prior to entering law school at Vanderbilt, Mr. Hughes served four years active duty in the U.S. Air Force, where he attained the rank of Captain.
Experience
Mr. Hughes has obtained successful outcomes at trial, on summary judgment, and through settlement at mediation and otherwise, for clients in federal and state courts throughout the country. A small sampling follows:
- Obtained favorable results for Fortune 50 client in five multi-plaintiff age and gender discrimination cases (including one class action) totaling more than 60 plaintiffs in five separate state court jurisdictions
- Obtained favorable unanimous ruling from WV Supreme Court on significant interlocutory discovery issue within 10 days of submitting petition
- Obtained dismissals in multi-plaintiff ERISA cases for major manufacturing client pending in federal district court
- Settled age discrimination case after 3 days of trial when judge called a recess and told opposing counsel in chambers that he should take any amount that the defendant was willing to offer
- In a commercial litigation matter pending in GA state court, obtained complete summary judgment for client and full attorney’s fees from plaintiff’s attorney
Mr. Hughes also frequently advises clients on a wide range of employment matters, ranging from routine disciplinary issues to facility closures and nationwide workforce reductions.
Education and Honors
J.D., Vanderbilt University, 1991
M.S. (Management), Troy State University, 1987
B.E. (Mechanical Engineering), Vanderbilt University, 1984
- AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association
- Georgia Bar Association
- Tennessee Bar Association
- West Virginia Bar Association
- Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce
Georgia
Tennessee
Arkansas
West Virginia
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Georgia
U.S. District Court, Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Tennessee
U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia