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Burton Dodd photo

Burton F. Dodd

Partner & General Counsel


Atlanta

t:404.240.4226

f:404.240.4249

m:404.401.4623

Email

Service Focus

  • Litigation and Trials

Industry Focus

  • Education
  • Higher Education
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Overview
Credentials
Recognitions
Affiliations
Insights

Overview

Burton Dodd is a partner at Fisher Phillips and also serves as its General Counsel. For more than 30 years he has successfully defended colleges and universities, independent schools, multi-national manufacturers, hospitals, professional medical groups, textile manufacturers, telecommunications corporations, and other employers throughout the United States against claims of employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful discharge brought in federal and state courts and administrative agencies.

Burton also has defended employers against claims of disability discrimination, Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) violations, Equal Pay Act (EPA) violations, and whistle-blower retaliation, as well as against state tort and contract claims.

He has extensive experience in federal and state trial and appellate courts. Burton participates in the National Association of College and University Attorneys. A major underwriter of employment practices liability insurance for higher education has designated him as outside employment counsel for its insured universities, colleges, and independent schools.

He is a member of the firm's Education Practice Group and the School and College Law Section of the Georgia Bar.

Burton is "AV" Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 2010.

He was recognized as a Labor Law-Management Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in America for 2017.

Credentials

Education

  • J.D., 1978, cum laude, University of Richmond School of Law
  • B.A., 1975, with distinction, University of Virginia

Bar Admissions

  • Georgia
  • South Carolina

Court Admissions

  • Georgia Supreme Court
  • South Carolina Supreme Court
  • Virginia Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Recognitions

  • Listed in Lawdragon’s 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025)
  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (2011-2025)
  • Named, Labor Law-Management Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in America for 2017

Affiliations

Professional Activities

  • National Association of College and University Attorneys
  • Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia State Bar Associations

Community Activities

  • Member, University of Virginia Alumni Association
  • Member, Virginia Athletics Foundation
  • Director, University of Richmond Law School Association (1999-2002)

Insights

  • News

    08/20/20

    Fisher Phillips Attorneys Receive Top Honors in Best Lawyers in America©

    Michael V. Abcarian, Stephanie R. Alexander, William E. Altman, Christopher Alvarez, Joseph W. Ambash, Craig R. Annunziata, Davis C. Bae, Gregory D. Ballew, Kelsey E. Schiappacasse, Cheryl L. Behymer, Clarence M. Belnavis, Steven M. Bernstein, Suzanne K. Bogdan, D. Albert Brannen, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Jocelyn Campanaro, Christopher J. Capone, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, Lyle M. Chan, J. Randall Coffey, Theresa M. Connolly, Laurel K. Cornell, Steven R. Cupp, Kevin J. Dalton, J. Micah Dickie, Burton F. Dodd, David B. Dornak, Benjamin Dudek, Todd Alan Ewan, Daniel E. Farrington, Brian J. Finucane, Todd A. Fredrickson, Andrew Froman, Joseph W. Gagnon, Brian J. Gershengorn, Lauren G. Goetzl, Rosemary S. Gousman, Michael R. Greco, Paul Greco, Rick Grimaldi, Greg Grisham, Lori A. Guner, Raymond C. Haley III, Edward F. Harold, JonVieve D. Hill, Christopher C. Hoffman, James R. Holland II, Christine E. Howard, Clyde H. Jacob III, David S. Jones, Matthew R. Korn, Danielle Krauthamer Zobel, Edwina C. Kye, Arthur V. Lambert, Terry E. Lardakis, Aymara Ledezma, Courtney Leyes, Karl R. Lindegren, Steven M. Loewengart, Reyburn W. Lominack III, Nathan K. Low, Darin L. Mackender, Scott M. Mahoney, Jeffrey E. Mandel, C. F. W. Manning II, Howard A. Mavity, James J. McDonald Jr., Phillips L. McWilliams, Richard A. Millisor, Stephen C. Mitchell, Danielle Hultenius Moore, R. Henry Moore, Timothy J. Murphy, Gregory V. Murray, Warren L. Nelson, Steven M. Nobil, Daniel P. O'Brien, James Patrick, Jonathan P. Pearson, Regina A. Petty, Ann Margaret Pointer, James C. Polkinghorn, John M. Polson, Keith M. Pyburn Jr., Roger K. Quillen, Melody L. Rayl, Thomas Paul Rebel, Mark J. Ricciardi, Ashton M. Riley, Stephen J. Roppolo, Jeffrey A. Savarise, Susan M. Schaecher, Cheryl L. Schreck, David E. Schreiner, Stephen Scott, Timothy H. Scott, Joseph P. Shelton, Craig P. Siegenthaler, Jeffrey D. Smith, John W. Stapleton, Shanon R. Stevenson, Terri R. Stewart, Christopher P. Stief, Cathy M. Stutin, Douglas R. Sullenberger, James Sullivan, Martin F. Thompson, Megan Reese U'Sellis, Pavneet Singh Uppal, Teresa Valderrama, Joshua H. Viau, Timothy J. Weatherholt, Jeff Weintraub, Alexander A. Wheatley, Benton N. Wood, Robert Yonowitz, George D. Adams, Richard R. Meneghello, Hannah Sweiss, Robert M. Robenalt, Todd A. Lyon, Todd B. Logsdon, J. Hagood Tighe, Danielle S. Urban, Sheila M. Abron, Kristin R.B. White, Michelle I. Anderson

    Read more 

  • News

    08/15/19

    Best Lawyers in America® Honors 96 Fisher Phillips Attorneys in 2020 Edition

    Michael V. Abcarian, George D. Adams, Joseph W. Ambash, Craig R. Annunziata, Cheryl L. Behymer, Clarence M. Belnavis, Steven M. Bernstein, Suzanne K. Bogdan, D. Albert Brannen, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Christopher J. Capone, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, J. Randall Coffey, Laurel K. Cornell, Steven R. Cupp, Kevin J. Dalton, Burton F. Dodd, Todd Alan Ewan, Daniel E. Farrington, Brian J. Finucane, Todd A. Fredrickson, Andrew Froman, Brian J. Gershengorn, Rosemary S. Gousman, Michael R. Greco, Paul Greco, Rick Grimaldi, Greg Grisham, Raymond C. Haley III, Edward F. Harold, Christopher C. Hoffman, James R. Holland II, Christine E. Howard, Clyde H. Jacob III, David S. Jones, Terry E. Lardakis, Karl R. Lindegren, Steven M. Loewengart, Todd B. Logsdon, Darin L. Mackender, Scott M. Mahoney, Jeffrey E. Mandel, C. F. W. Manning II, Howard A. Mavity, James J. McDonald Jr., Richard R. Meneghello, Richard A. Millisor, Stephen C. Mitchell, Danielle Hultenius Moore, Timothy J. Murphy, Warren L. Nelson, Steven M. Nobil, Daniel P. O'Brien, Jonathan P. Pearson, Ann Margaret Pointer, James C. Polkinghorn, John M. Polson, Keith M. Pyburn Jr., Roger K. Quillen, Thomas Paul Rebel, Mark J. Ricciardi, Robert M. Robenalt, Stephen J. Roppolo, Jeffrey A. Savarise, Susan M. Schaecher, David E. Schreiner, Timothy H. Scott, Joseph P. Shelton, Craig P. Siegenthaler, Jeffrey D. Smith, Shanon R. Stevenson, Terri R. Stewart, Christopher P. Stief, Cathy M. Stutin, Douglas R. Sullenberger, James Sullivan, Martin F. Thompson, J. Hagood Tighe, Pavneet Singh Uppal, Danielle S. Urban, Teresa Valderrama, Joshua H. Viau, Timothy J. Weatherholt, Jeff Weintraub, Benton N. Wood, Robert Yonowitz

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  • News

    08/15/18

    Ninety-Five Fisher Phillips Attorneys Selected to The Best Lawyers in America 2019

    Michael V. Abcarian, George D. Adams, Joseph W. Ambash, Craig R. Annunziata, Cheryl L. Behymer, Clarence M. Belnavis, Steven M. Bernstein, Suzanne K. Bogdan, D. Albert Brannen, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Christopher J. Capone, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, J. Randall Coffey, Laurel K. Cornell, Steven R. Cupp, Kevin J. Dalton, Burton F. Dodd, Todd Alan Ewan, Brian J. Finucane, Todd A. Fredrickson, Rosemary S. Gousman, Michael R. Greco, Paul Greco, Rick Grimaldi, Raymond C. Haley III, Edward F. Harold, Christopher C. Hoffman, James R. Holland II, Christine E. Howard, Terry E. Lardakis, Karl R. Lindegren, Steven M. Loewengart, Todd B. Logsdon, Darin L. Mackender, Scott M. Mahoney, Jeffrey E. Mandel, C. F. W. Manning II, Howard A. Mavity, James J. McDonald Jr., Richard R. Meneghello, Richard A. Millisor, Stephen C. Mitchell, Timothy J. Murphy, Warren L. Nelson, Steven M. Nobil, Daniel P. O'Brien, Jonathan P. Pearson, Ann Margaret Pointer, James C. Polkinghorn, John M. Polson, Keith M. Pyburn Jr., Roger K. Quillen, Thomas Paul Rebel, Mark J. Ricciardi, Robert M. Robenalt, Stephen J. Roppolo, Jeffrey A. Savarise, Susan M. Schaecher, David E. Schreiner, Timothy H. Scott, Joseph P. Shelton, Craig P. Siegenthaler, Jeffrey D. Smith, Shanon R. Stevenson, Christopher P. Stief, Cathy M. Stutin, Douglas R. Sullenberger, Martin F. Thompson, J. Hagood Tighe, Pavneet Singh Uppal, Danielle S. Urban, Teresa Valderrama, Joshua H. Viau, Timothy J. Weatherholt, Jeff Weintraub, Benton N. Wood, Robert Yonowitz

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  • News

    08/15/17

    Eighty-Nine Fisher Phillips Attorneys Selected to The Best Lawyers in America 2018

    Michael V. Abcarian, George D. Adams, Joseph W. Ambash, Craig R. Annunziata, Cheryl L. Behymer, Clarence M. Belnavis, Steven M. Bernstein, Suzanne K. Bogdan, D. Albert Brannen, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Christopher J. Capone, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, J. Randall Coffey, Steven R. Cupp, Kevin J. Dalton, Burton F. Dodd, Todd Alan Ewan, Brian J. Finucane, Todd A. Fredrickson, Rosemary S. Gousman, Rick Grimaldi, Raymond C. Haley III, Edward F. Harold, Christopher C. Hoffman, James R. Holland II, Christine E. Howard, Terry E. Lardakis, Karl R. Lindegren, Darin L. Mackender, Scott M. Mahoney, Jeffrey E. Mandel, C. F. W. Manning II, Howard A. Mavity, James J. McDonald Jr., Richard R. Meneghello, Richard A. Millisor, Michael S. Mitchell, Stephen C. Mitchell, Timothy J. Murphy, Warren L. Nelson, Steven M. Nobil, Daniel P. O'Brien, Jonathan P. Pearson, Ann Margaret Pointer, James C. Polkinghorn, John M. Polson, Keith M. Pyburn Jr., Roger K. Quillen, Thomas Paul Rebel, Mark J. Ricciardi, Robert M. Robenalt, Stephen J. Roppolo, Jeffrey A. Savarise, Susan M. Schaecher, David E. Schreiner, Timothy H. Scott, Joseph P. Shelton, Craig P. Siegenthaler, Jeffrey D. Smith, Shanon R. Stevenson, Cathy M. Stutin, Douglas R. Sullenberger, J. Hagood Tighe, Pavneet Singh Uppal, Danielle S. Urban, Teresa Valderrama, Joshua H. Viau, Timothy J. Weatherholt, Jeff Weintraub, Benton N. Wood

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  • News

    08/15/16

    Attorneys Selected to The Best Lawyers in America 2017

    Michael V. Abcarian, George D. Adams, Joseph W. Ambash, Craig R. Annunziata, Cheryl L. Behymer, Clarence M. Belnavis, Steven M. Bernstein, Suzanne K. Bogdan, D. Albert Brannen, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, J. Randall Coffey, Steven R. Cupp, Kevin J. Dalton, Burton F. Dodd, Todd Alan Ewan, Brian J. Finucane, Todd A. Fredrickson, Rosemary S. Gousman, Raymond C. Haley III, Edward F. Harold, Christopher C. Hoffman, James R. Holland II, Christine E. Howard, Terry E. Lardakis, Karl R. Lindegren, Darin L. Mackender, Scott M. Mahoney, Jeffrey E. Mandel, C. F. W. Manning II, Howard A. Mavity, James J. McDonald Jr., Richard R. Meneghello, Richard A. Millisor, Michael S. Mitchell, Stephen C. Mitchell, Timothy J. Murphy, Warren L. Nelson, Steven M. Nobil, Daniel P. O'Brien, Jonathan P. Pearson, Ann Margaret Pointer, James C. Polkinghorn, John M. Polson, Keith M. Pyburn Jr., Roger K. Quillen, Thomas Paul Rebel, Mark J. Ricciardi, Robert M. Robenalt, Jeffrey A. Savarise, Susan M. Schaecher, David E. Schreiner, Timothy H. Scott, Craig P. Siegenthaler, Jeffrey D. Smith, Cathy M. Stutin, Douglas R. Sullenberger, J. Hagood Tighe, Danielle S. Urban, Teresa Valderrama, Joshua H. Viau, Jeff Weintraub, Benton N. Wood

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  • News

    08/17/15

    Fisher Phillips Attorneys Selected to The Best Lawyers in America 2016

    Michael V. Abcarian, Joseph W. Ambash, Craig R. Annunziata, Cheryl L. Behymer, Clarence M. Belnavis, Steven M. Bernstein, Suzanne K. Bogdan, D. Albert Brannen, Kathleen McLeod Caminiti, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, J. Randall Coffey, Steven R. Cupp, Kevin J. Dalton, Burton F. Dodd, Brian J. Finucane, Todd A. Fredrickson, Rosemary S. Gousman, Raymond C. Haley III, Edward F. Harold, Christopher C. Hoffman, James R. Holland II, Christine E. Howard, Terry E. Lardakis, Karl R. Lindegren, Darin L. Mackender, Scott M. Mahoney, Jeffrey E. Mandel, C. F. W. Manning II, Howard A. Mavity, James J. McDonald Jr., Richard R. Meneghello, Richard A. Millisor, Michael S. Mitchell, Stephen C. Mitchell, Timothy J. Murphy, Warren L. Nelson, Steven M. Nobil, Daniel P. O'Brien, Jonathan P. Pearson, Ann Margaret Pointer, James C. Polkinghorn, John M. Polson, Keith M. Pyburn Jr., Roger K. Quillen, Thomas Paul Rebel, Mark J. Ricciardi, Robert M. Robenalt, Jeffrey A. Savarise, Susan M. Schaecher, David E. Schreiner, Timothy H. Scott, Craig P. Siegenthaler, Jeffrey D. Smith, Cathy M. Stutin, Douglas R. Sullenberger, J. Hagood Tighe, Joshua H. Viau, Jeff Weintraub, Benton N. Wood

    Read more 

  • News

    08/18/14

    Fisher Phillips Attorneys Selected to The Best Lawyers in America 2015

    Michael V. Abcarian, George D. Adams, Joseph W. Ambash, Craig R. Annunziata, Cheryl L. Behymer, Clarence M. Belnavis, Steven M. Bernstein, Suzanne K. Bogdan, D. Albert Brannen, Michael D. Carrouth, Charles S. Caulkins, J. Randall Coffey, Steven R. Cupp, Kevin J. Dalton, Burton F. Dodd, Brian J. Finucane, Todd A. Fredrickson, Rosemary S. Gousman, Raymond C. Haley III, Edward F. Harold, Christopher C. Hoffman, James R. Holland II, Christine E. Howard, Terry E. Lardakis, Karl R. Lindegren, Darin L. Mackender, Scott M. Mahoney, Jeffrey E. Mandel, C. F. W. Manning II, James J. McDonald Jr., Richard R. Meneghello, Richard A. Millisor, Michael S. Mitchell, Stephen C. Mitchell, Timothy J. Murphy, Warren L. Nelson, Steven M. Nobil, Daniel P. O'Brien, Jonathan P. Pearson, Ann Margaret Pointer, James C. Polkinghorn, John M. Polson, Keith M. Pyburn Jr., Roger K. Quillen, Thomas Paul Rebel, Mark J. Ricciardi, Robert M. Robenalt, Jeffrey A. Savarise, Susan M. Schaecher, David E. Schreiner, Timothy H. Scott, Craig P. Siegenthaler, Cathy M. Stutin, Douglas R. Sullenberger, J. Hagood Tighe, Joshua H. Viau, Marion F. Walker, Jeff Weintraub, Benton N. Wood

    Read more 

  • Insights

    10/01/12

    "Dear Colleague . . . "

    Burton F. Dodd

    Read more 

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