Fisher Phillips Elects Eight New Partners

Fisher Phillips announced that eight attorneys have been elected to partner. The new partners work in five different offices and their promotions take effect January 1, 2014.

Fisher Phillips Chairman and Managing Partner Roger Quillen said: “Our new partners have steadily demonstrated a commitment to delivering top-quality service to our clients around the country. Each attorney has an established practice and a deep understanding of the complex issues involved with labor and employment law. The clients they serve, as well as Fisher Phillips, will benefit from the counsel and commitment to service they bring to work everyday.”

Shayna H. Balch helped to open the firm’s Phoenix office as an associate in 2010. During her time with Fisher Phillips, Balch has earned recognition among numerous business and trade publications. The Phoenix Business Journal included Balch in its “40 under 40” for 2013, AZ Business Magazine named her as one of the “Top 5 women under the age of 35,” and Super Lawyers Southwest included Balch in its 2012 and 2013 “Rising Stars.” Balch handles matters across all facets of labor and employment law including employment discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, restrictive covenants, preventive counseling, employee training, personnel policies, and employment agreements. Balch received her law degree from Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.

Jessica T. Cook is a member of the firm's Global Immigration Practice Group in Atlanta, focusing her practice on immigration and nationality law. Cook represents local, national and multi-national companies with regard to their immigration needs in such industries as higher education, health care, information technology, and manufacturing. Cook represents and advises employers in all areas of business immigration, including temporary employment visas, labor certifications, permanent residency, and outbound visas. Cook also represents employers in connection with U.S. governmental agency audits and investigations, including H-1B and H-2B U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division audits and investigations, H-1B audits by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Form I-9 compliance audits by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She conducts I-9 and E-Verify compliance training, performs I-9 audits and frequently writes articles and speaks on immigration topics. Cook is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and earned her law degree from William and Mary School of Law.

James C. Fessenden is in the San Diego office. He represents public and private employers in all aspects of employment law in both state and federal courts, and before administrative and governmental agencies. Fessenden has argued before the California Court of Appeal and numerous trial courts and administrative agencies. He has been a part of several arbitration and trial teams and recently served as second chair in a jury trial resulting in a complete defense verdict. Fessenden also regularly defends clients in investigations by a variety of federal, state, and local agencies. He devotes a significant portion of his practice to counseling clients and developing measures to prevent litigation and governmental investigations. While in law school, he served as the Managing Editor of the San Diego International Law Journal. Fessenden earned his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law.

Raymond C. Haley III is in the Louisville Office. Haley represents employers in a variety of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, transportation and rehabilitative services. He is “AV” Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, has been listed in Kentucky Super Lawyers since 2007, Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition – 2010, The Best Lawyers In America since 2006, and Chambers USA, America's Leading Business Lawyers since 2004. His representation of clients involves defense of all forms of civil rights and wrongful discharge claims in state and federal courts, labor litigation before state and federal agencies and courts, as well as arbitration of labor disputes. Haley regularly advises clients concerning compliance with virtually all employment-based state and federal mandates, and union-related matters. Haley earned his law degree from Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville.

Terri R. Stewart is in the Atlanta office and represents management in all areas of labor and employment law in state and federal courts as well as before state and federal agencies. She was listed in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 editions of Georgia Super Lawyers - Rising Stars. Stewart was named by Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of Atlanta’s top 40 business people under the age of 40, and she was also selected for and participated in the exclusive LEAD Atlanta program (a division of Leadership Atlanta). Her practice focuses on the defense of employment-related lawsuits in trial and appellate courts, encompassing a variety of issues, including claims arising under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and related state claims. Stewart frequently advises employers on reductions in force, drafts employment agreements, personnel policies, separation agreements, and conducts on-site training on topics such as employment law compliance and avoidance of harassment claims. Stewart earned both her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Georgia School of Law.

Timothy J. Weatherholt is in the Louisville office. His practice involves representation of management in employment and labor litigation involving wage and hour class and collective actions, civil rights, retaliation, wrongful termination and discrimination under Title VII. He also advises and represents clients in developing employment policies and procedures, responding to administrative charges, and dealing with employee separation matters. While attending Vanderbilt Law School, where he received his law degree, Weatherholt placed second in the Bass, Berry & Sims Intramural Moot Court competition. After law school, he clerked for the Honorable Joseph H. McKinley, Jr. of the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky.

Megan C. Winter is in the San Diego office where she handles administrative and civil employment matters before state and federal courts and government agencies. Her practice involves representation of employers in a variety of matters including harassment and discrimination litigation, wage and hour class actions, and family and medical leave law. Winter also assists employers in developing workplace policies and procedures, and she regularly advises employers regarding day-to-day employment issues and ways to avoid employment claims and litigation. She frequently provides supervisor training for employers. Winter also teaches an employment law class at San Diego State’s College of Extended Studies. Upon graduating from law school, Winter was awarded the ABA/BNA Award for Excellence in the Study of Labor and Employment Law. She received her law degree from the University of Kansas School of Law.