Fisher Phillips Elects Five New Partners

ATLANTA, GA (January 1, 2015) – Fisher Phillips announced that five attorneys have been elected to partner. The new partners work in four different offices and their promotions were effective January 1, 2015.

Fisher Phillips Chairman and Managing Partner Roger Quillen said: “These attorneys have established practices focused on providing outstanding client service as they help clients navigate the complex issues involved with ever-changing labor and employment laws. Clients already benefit from the knowledge and experience this stellar group brings to our national practice assisting employers with their workplace legal issues.”

Laurel K. Cornell in the Louisville office represents employers in litigation of employment disputes involving a variety of issues such as Title VII, the Family and Medical Leave Act, retaliation, breach of contract, and wrongful termination claims. She is also experienced in advising and representing employers in administrative actions. Cornell was listed in Chambers USA, America’s Leading Business Lawyers in 2013 and 2014. She was also selected for inclusion in Kentucky Super Lawyers® - Rising Stars in 2013 and 2014. She received her law degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 2007. She also received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Kentucky, Summa Cum Laude in 2003. While in Law School, Cornell was a member of the Kentucky Law Journal.

Michael P. Elkon helps companies navigate legal hurdles with respect to recruiting talent and also to protect their key information and relationships. Working from the Atlanta office, he specializes in matters concerning employee defection and recruitment, including litigating actions relating to covenants not to compete, non-solicitation and non-disclosure provisions, unfair competition, employee raiding, trade secrets, the duty of loyalty, the Computer Fraud & Abuse Act, and state computer protection statutes. He has litigated dozens of employee defection and recruitment matters in numerous state and federal courts. Elkon also drafts and analyzes employment agreements and counsels clients on numerous employment law issues. He was selected for inclusion in Georgia Super Lawyers – Rising Stars from 2010-2012 and was included in Georgia Super Lawyers in 2013 and 2014. A graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, Elkon worked with the Georgia Legislature and appeared before its Judiciary Committee regarding the new Georgia non-compete statute (HB 173) in the 2009 Legislative Session.

Michael R. Galey in Philadelphia concentrates his practice on defending employers against a wide range of employment-related claims. He is routinely involved in defending employers in matters in which former employees have alleged race, national origin, age, disability, gender, and other discrimination claims as well as claims against employers for sexual harassment, breach of employment contract, defamation, and wrongful termination. His practice also involves counseling clients regarding compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and Pennsylvania's Wage Payment and Collection Law. Additionally, Galey assists clients in crafting employment agreements and implementing employee handbooks and personnel policies and procedures. He was selected for inclusion in the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers - Rising Stars in 2013 and 2014. Galey earned his law degree from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles and his Bachelor of Arts from Franklin and Marshall College.  

Kristen J. Nesbit focuses her practice on employment litigation and counseling public entities, private corporations and individuals on a wide variety of employment issues that include hiring, layoffs, employment policies, harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, and wage and hour matters. Working in Los Angeles, Nesbit represents clients in both state and federal court and has also successfully defended clients before various administrative agencies including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Fair Employment and Housing, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement and the Workers Compensation Appeals Board. Nesbit was recognized in 2013 by Lawyers of Color Inc. on their “Hot List” for minority attorneys under 40 in the Western Region. She earned her law degree from Loyola Law School and dual bachelor’s degrees in law and sociology from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Matthew R. Simpson represents companies in all areas of labor and employment litigation, with a particular emphasis on individual and collective wage-hour actions working from the office in Atlanta. He also represents employers in discrimination and harassment claims, and counsels clients regarding day-to-day employment and wage-hour issues. This includes extensive supervisor training as well as preparing sound employment policies and pay plans. Simpson received the 2007 Georgia State Bar Labor and Employment Law Award and was listed in Georgia Super Lawyers – Rising Stars from 2011 to 2014. He graduated from Emory University School of Law, where he served as Symposium Editor of the Emory Law Journal.