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James Patrick

Partner


Cleveland

t:440.838.8800

f:440.838.8805

Email

Service Focus

  • Employment Discrimination and Harassment
  • FCRA and Background Screening
  • Privacy and Cyber
  • Litigation and Trials
  • Wage and Hour

Industry Focus

  • Education
  • Higher Education
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Overview
Credentials
Recognitions
Affiliations
Insights

Overview

Jim’s client-facing approach to the law aims at achieving the best results for his clients and their business interests whether it be proactively developing creative strategies to address arising disputes or legal issues, exploring unique avenues of resolution or taking a lawsuit to the mat.

Using this approach, Jim has developed a multi-faceted legal practice. In addition to defending employers in a wide range of complex labor and employment matters – including representing employers in state and federal courts, before various administrative agencies and in labor arbitrations – Jim has developed unique practice niches. As co-chair of the firm's FCRA and Background Screening Practice, he has developed strong experience in the rapidly evolving Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) industry, both advising employers and consumer reporting agencies with FCRA compliance and litigating class actions and single plaintiff lawsuits asserting FCRA claims. Additionally, Jim regularly provides advice and defends single plaintiff and collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act and state wage and hour laws. Jim has also developed a practice in the education arena servicing K-12 public, private and community schools as well as institutions of higher education in various matters, including, among other items, labor and employment, real estate valuation and property matters.

Through his work, Jim helps his clients minimize their legal exposure while also achieving their business objectives.

Earlier in his career, Jim was part of a team that successfully represented an employer in an Ohio state court jury trial involving an employee’s right to participate in the Ohio workers’ compensation system.

He regularly writes and speaks on cutting edge labor and employment issues facing employers of all sizes.

Prior to joining Fisher Phillips, Jim worked as a Labor and Employment Associate for a large, regional business law firm in Cincinnati.

Credentials

Education

  • J.D., 2011, summa cum laude, University of Cincinnati College of Law
  • B.A., 2007, with high distinction, University of Michigan

Bar Admissions

  • Ohio

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

Recognitions

  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch (2021 - 2025)

Affiliations

Community Activities

  • Alumni Advisory Board, University of Cincinnati Law Review
  • Prior to moving to Cleveland, Jim served as a tutor for Cincinnati Public Schools.

Insights

  • Insights

    11/12/24

    Employers and Vendors Have FCRA Obligations When Using Workplace AI Tools: Your Step-by-Step Compliance Guide

    Kate Dedenbach, Darcey M. Groden, James Patrick, David J. Walton

    Read more 

  • Event

    09/12/21

    Perspectives from the Litigation Trenches: Reasonable Procedures to Assume Maximum Possible Accuracy

    Richard A. Millisor, James Patrick

    Read more 

  • News

    03/15/21

    Cleveland Lawyer Writes about Making Partner in a Pandemic

    James Patrick

    Read more 

  • News

    12/22/20

    Fisher Phillips Announces 2021 Partnership Class

    Phillip C. Bauknight, Micah Dawson, Anet Drapalski, Paul Greco, Ralph Hua, David Klass, Matthew R. Korn, Emily N. Litzinger, Joshua D. Nadreau, James Patrick, Adam F. Sloustcher, John W. Stapleton, Alexander A. Wheatley

    Read more 

  • 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

    11/08/19

    Cleveland Attorney Sheds Light on Specifics of DOL’s New White-Collar Exemption Rule

    James Patrick

    Read more 

  • Publication

    06/28/17

    Are LGBTQ Protections Coming To A Workplace Near You?

    James Patrick

    Read more 

  • News

    01/19/17

    K-12 Policy and the Election

    Sarah Moore, James Patrick

    Read more 

  • News

    12/01/16

    How Will Education Be Shaped Under Trump

    Sarah Moore, James Patrick

    Read more 

  • Publication

    11/28/16

    Education Under a Trump Presidency

    Sarah Moore, James Patrick

    Read more 

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