Public Sector

Fisher Phillips’ Public Sector Group has more than 35 years of experience serving the unique needs of governmental employers nationwide. We represent cities, counties, sheriffs and other constitutional officers, housing authorities, regional commissions, public colleges and universities, pension boards, water authorities, library systems, and other local governmental entities across the country.

Our attorneys have played a significant role in shaping state and federal case law to protect public employers, securing favorable precedent in areas such as retaliation, discrimination, due process and other constitutional rights, qualified and official immunity, at-will employment, employment contracts, and defamation.

With deep industry knowledge, professional associations, and practical insight, we partner with public sector clients to navigate complex employment challenges, ensure compliance, and defend against high-stakes litigation. Our lawyers are also frequent speakers on issues affecting state and local governments, reflecting our reputation as trusted advisors in this field.

We are proud to work with the International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA), the National League of Cities (NLC), the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), the Georgia Interlocal Risk Management Agency (GIRMA), and many other state and local government associations.

How We Help Public Sector Employers

We provide comprehensive counsel and representation on matters such as:

• Litigation and other court proceedings
• Administrative proceedings (federal, state, and local)
• Labor relations and collective bargaining
• Employee discipline, termination, and grievance and appeal proceedings
• Discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims
• First Amendment, Equal Protection, and other constitutional claims
• Qualified and official immunity defense
• Employment contracts, handbook review, and policy drafting
• Compliance with federal, state, and local laws (including Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, state specific wage and hour rules)
• Workplace investigations
• Workplace safety compliance
• Pension and benefits issues
• Background screening/FCRA issues
• Strategic counsel (e.g., restructurings, reductions in force, reorganizations, crisis communications)
• Training on legal compliance and best practices
• Non-employment law matters (e.g., Open Records/Meetings Law claims, law enforcement liability, miscellaneous other First Amendment claims, administrative and judicial removal proceedings, ethics complaints, vendor disputes)