Taylor English Named One of Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 2011 Best Places To Work.

Atlanta- September 22, 2011- Atlanta law firm Taylor English Duma LLP was recognized as one of the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Best Places to Work at the seventh-annual awards event at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis on September 16th.

The Atlanta Business Chronicle describes this year’s Best Places to Work Awards as being particularly timely given that, “there’s almost no topic of greater public interest in America these days than jobs.” 100 Atlanta employers were ranked in three categories: large employer, medium sized employer and small employer. Taylor English (which has over 140 attorneys and employees) was awarded this honor in the medium-sized employer category, which recognizes companies and organizations in the metro Atlanta area with 101 to 500 employees.

“Creating a more vibrant and rewarding workplace was one of our primary goals when we launched the firm nearly 7 years ago”, says Marc Taylor, one of the firm’s founders. “This is a something that we will share collectively with our attorneys, employees and clients”.

“This award is a tremendous honor”, says Taylor English managing partner Al Hill, “especially since it’s based solely on employee surveys. At Taylor English we’re committed to offering our employees an alternative to the traditional law firm model that encourages an entrepreneurial spirit, so it’s reassuring that, as we continue to steadily grow, our colleagues agree that the firm is purpose-built for them and the needs of their clients. We are thrilled with the award, and we already have out sights set on next year.”

Earlier this year, Taylor English was also was also recognized by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as one of Atlanta’s Top Work Places for 2011.

The Atlanta Business Chronicle partnered with Quantum Workplace to survey metro Atlanta employers to determine the top 100 Atlanta’s Best Places To Work. This year readers nominated nearly 500 companies and organizations, and Quantum surveyed employees from participating companies and organizations.

Mandatory Labor Posters Now Available

The National Labor Relations Board has been busy lately issuing pro-union decisions and regulations.  The Board recently issued regulations requiring virtually all private-sector employers to post a notice informing employees of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act, including the right to form and organize unions.  The notice, combined with rules that would require quicker elections and allow smaller voting units, substantially tilts the organizing balance in favor of the unions. 
The NLRB poster is now available to be downloaded from the NLRB’s web site:
“Download Poster”. It can be printed in color or  black-and-white on 11”x17” paper, or on two 8×11 inch pages that are taped together; smaller versions of the poster are not acceptable.  The deadline for posting is November 14, 2011. 
Federal contractors that already post a similar Department of Labor-required notice are not required to post this new notice.  On the other hand, employers that customarily post personnel rules and policies on line or electronically, are required to post this notice in the same manner (in addition to the physical posting).  Moreover, the notice must be posted in English and other languages if at least 20% of the employees are not proficient in English and speak the other language.  The NLRB has committed to publishing posters in several different languages, although those are apparently not yet available.
Failure to post the notice may be treated as an independent unfair labor practice under the National Labor Relations Act, and might in some cases be considered evidence of unlawful motive in an unfair labor practice case.  In addition, the failure to post may support a claim that the usual six month statute of limitations for filing an unfair labor practice charge should be extended in cases involving other alleged violations of the Act.
Employers are justifiably concerned that the new notice and other recent NLRB actions encourage union organizing activity and make them more vulnerable to organizing drives.  While legal action might block implementation of some NLRB efforts, the best way for an employer to protect against organizing activity is to prevent it.  Employers are stepping up supervisor training programs design to help management quickly recognize and lawfully respond to organizing efforts.  Properly trained supervisors and managers are without a doubt the best defense to a union organizing drive.  Contact your Taylor English attorney if we can assist you with your training efforts, or if you would like additional information.

Joseph Bryan is a member of Taylor English’s Employment, Labor and Immigration practice group. He has represented employers in connection with a wide variety of labor law disputes, including collective bargaining negotiations, unfair labor practice proceedings, union organizing drives, decertification proceedings, arbitration hearings and litigation involving National Labor Relations Act issues. 

Taylor English Attorney’s Coverage of College Football Conference Realignment Goes Viral

Atlanta, September 8, 2011- Attorney Kristi Dosh from Atlanta law firm Taylor English Duma LLP has emerged as a leading authority on the economic impact of Texas A&M moving to the SEC with her latest August 19th blog post.

An August 16 report from a Waco economist claims the state of Texas will suffer multi-million dollar losses if Texas A&M University leaves the Big 12 Conference for the Southeastern Conference. Taylor English attorney and Businessofcollegesports.com founder, Kristi Dosh offers a differing opinion, and the sports world has taken notice.

According to the Waco economist the move would result in a reduction of gross product and jobs in the Texas economy. Dosh challenges this position in her post, pointing out that the only anticipated losses would be from Texas A&M fans no longer descending upon Waco to watch their team play Baylor. That game only represents an estimated 0.024% of the taxable activity in Waco for a given year, and only occurs once every two years. “Not exactly hysteria-inducing numbers,” Dosh writes.

Dosh goes on to point out that whatever new travel costs the school incurs will more than likely be covered by the larger conference distributions offered by the SEC and new revenue from out-of-state schools. “When an out-of-state school visits and brings in its team, coaches, band, cheerleaders and fans, new money is being pumped into the state economy,” Dosh says. “If anything, I think you will see an increase in economic impact in College Station as SEC fans, who are known to travel, descend upon the town.“

To date, Dosh has been invited to discuss the Texas A&M story on a number of radio shows, including the nationally syndicated Tim Brando Show, and her work has been mentioned by writers at ESPN and Sports Illustrated. “Kristi is becoming increasingly recognized as a national authority on the business of sports,” says Taylor English managing partner Al B. Hill, “we’re proud of her accomplishments and will continue to support her efforts.”

Dosh is a member of the Taylor English Real Estate, Development & Construction and the Lending, Workout & Foreclosure groups, with a portion of her practice focused on sports law. She is also a regular contributor to SportsMoney on Forbes.com and a variety of other sports websites and a frequent guest lecturer in sports management and sports administration programs.

Taylor English Expands Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Practice Group With Addition Of Highly Acclaimed Atlanta Attorney/Consultant

Atlanta- September 6, 2011- Atlanta law firm Taylor English Duma LLP announces the addition of attorney Don Kohla as its newest member to the firm’s expanding Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation practice group. Joining Mr. Kohla is Jan Marsh, a senior consultant with over 25 years of experience in this area.

Mr. Kohla brings with him over 30 years of experience representing clients with mergers and acquisitions, employee benefit, and executive compensation plans. Don’s expertise on ERISA and ERISA-related matters coupled with his deep experience assisting, designing, and implementing all types of employee benefit plans has earned him some of the industry’s highest honors, including The Best Lawyers in America each year for over 25 years and Super Lawyer every year since its inception in Georgia. “With Don and Jan joining the group, we clearly have the depth and expertise to represent any client (big or small) in this area. We’re thrilled to have them as part of the team”, says Managing Partner Al B. Hill.

The decision to move their practice over to Taylor English was heavily influenced by the firms entrepreneurial business model, personality, and culture. “We were very impressed by the people, top to bottom”, says Kohla. “They’re genuine about being client focused, and their enthusiasm for creating a more collaborative law firm was contagious. Everyone we met walks-the-walk.” Both say they are eager to begin introducing their clients to the benefits of TE’s unique operating model. “We are re-energized by TE’s approach that focuses entirely on the client which means we can also be more flexible and cost efficient in designing engagements that work better for both sides”, says Marsh.

Kohla and Marsh join Taylor English from King & Spalding where they led the firm’s Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation practice group advising public, private, taxable and tax-exempt clients.

Seven Taylor English Attorneys are selected as The Best Lawyers in America® for 2012

Atlanta- September 7, 2011- Atlanta law firm Taylor English Duma LLP is thrilled to announce that attorneys William A. Clineberg, Jr., Chloe Dallaire, Foy R. Devine, Jeffrey R. Kuester, John D. Hopkins, Michael E. Ross and Don S. Kohla have each been selected via an exhaustive and rigorous peer-review survey process for inclusion in the 2012 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. For nearly three decades, Best Lawyers has been regarded – by both the profession and the public – as the definitive guide to legal excellence in the United States. This marks the sixth selection for Mr. Clineberg, the second for Ms. Dallaire, the twentieth for Mr. Devine, the fifth for Mr. Kuester, the fifth for Mr. Hopkins, the fifth for Mr. Ross, and the twenty-fifth for Mr. Kohla.

“These selections are well deserved and well earned. These attorneys represent our industry with the highest levels of expertise, knowledge and a genuine dedication to being client-focused. We applaud them and appreciate what they bring to our clients and our firm,” says Al B. Hill, managing partner at Taylor English.

Mr. Clineberg was selected for his expertise in the area of Employment Law-Management. He is a member of the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution group and has been involved in high-stakes, complex business litigation on behalf of corporations and individuals for 40 years.

Ms. Dallaire was selected for her expertise in the area of Personal Injury Litigation. She handles all aspects of complex civil litigation with specializations in the areas of transportation, construction, defective products, employment, complex business disputes, premises liability, automotive, catastrophic injury and healthcare matters.

Mr. Devine was selected in the area of Personal Injury Litigation and Product Liability Litigation. He chairs the Taylor English Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice group, and since 1969, Mr. Devine has focused his practice in civil trial work, handling litigation of all types including catastrophic personal injury and death cases that arise from product-related injuries.

Mr. Kuester was selected in the area of Patent Law. He is the chair of the firm’s Patent practice and Intellectual Property group and handles all intellectual property issues, including patent preparation and prosecution. Additionally, Mr. Kuester was named as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Georgia for 2011.

Mr. Hopkins was selected in the area of Corporate Law and is a member of the firm’s Business Transactions, Corporate and Taxation practice group. John’s practice has focused on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and insurance regulatory and transaction matters. Mr. Hopkins has more than 30 years of cumulative service on the boards of NYSE and NASDAQ -listed corporations, with service on executive, nominating/governance and compensation committees.

Mr. Ross was selected for his expertise in Employment Law and Labor Law. He is a member of the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution group. He is a seasoned litigator with more than thirty-five years experience in federal and state trial and appellate courts and arbitration proceedings across the country, including a number of class and collective actions cases.

Mr. Kohla was selected in the area of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. He recently joined the firm and brings with him over 30 years of experience representing clients with ERISA and ERISA-related matters. He assists plan sponsors in designing, preparing, implementing and administering all types of employee benefit plans and executive compensation arrangements. Mr. Kohla is a member of the firm’s Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation practice group.