Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP News
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP Secures $400K Settlement
Press
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP is proud to announce it has recently settled a disability discrimination and retaliation case against the Sheriff of Clayton County for $400,000 on behalf of our client Vincent Handsford.
Read more here.
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP Secures Record-Setting $3.47M Verdict
Press
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP, an award-winning employment and civil rights law firm based in Atlanta, recently secured the largest single-plaintiff verdict in the history of the Northern District of Georgia. Attorneys Ed Buckley and Kyle Brooks represented plaintiff Tiphony Marshall in her lawsuit against Tidal Wave Response, LLC et al.
Read more here.
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP Negotiates Clayton County Settlement for Bostock, after Winning Landmark SCOTUS Ruling Affirming Protections for LGBTQ+ People in the Workplace
Press
Managing Partner Ed Buckley and Partner Thomas J. Mew IV of Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP successfully negotiated a workplace discrimination settlement for $825,000 with Clayton County on behalf of client Gerald Bostock. The former welfare services employee sued the county for wrongful termination based on his sexual orientation. The Bostock case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court where LGBTQ+ workplace rights were affirmed and the case remanded to the lower court. The case and its successful settlement were widely reported in the media, including by the Associated Press (NBC & USA Today, ABC News), the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Advocate.
Longtime Atlanta Civil Rights and Employment Lawyer Ed Buckley Adds Three Name Partners to Firm, becoming Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP
Press
There is a new firm in Midtown Atlanta: Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP, which opened for business on February 1. The new name reflects the combined skills of some of Georgia’s leading employment, civil rights and business litigation lawyers.
Read more here.
Asian-American Educator Sues Westminster, a Private School in Atlanta, for Discrimination
Press
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLPPartner Anita Bala filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of an Asian-American preschool administrator against Westminster Schools, Inc. and administrators Kelley Day and Christa Hansen (“defendants”), alleging the private school in Atlanta terminated their client based on her race and national origin.
Read more here.
Bar Vegan Restaurant Chain Sued for Withholding Employee Tips
Press
Three former employees of the restaurant Bar Vegan are suing the establishment for withholding 25 percent of their tips. The three alleged that the money was used to go to “the house.” The story drew attention from at least 19 media outlets. Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP partner Ed Buckley was quoted when asked if an employer could take any portion of an employees' tips, saying "No, absolutely not,” adding, “that is a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. And there are civil penalties when an employer does something like that." The story ran in CNN International, 11alive, KESQ Palm Springs, WANF Atlanta, WPCH, Deliciousfood, and more.
Read more here.
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP to Appeal Hall County Employee Case over Frozen Pension Benefits to the Georgia Supreme Court
Press
After six years in the courts, a civil lawsuit filed by Hall County employees against their employer, the county, was denied by the Georgia Court of Appeals. The plaintiffs, more than 100 current and former Hall County employees, are asking for nearly $75 million as payment for 25 years of frozen pension benefits. The 2-1 ruling stands for now but the plaintiff’s attorneys, including Ed Buckley of Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP, sent a statement to the Gainesville Times, saying they "always expected this case to go to the Georgia Supreme Court." The attorneys will be appealing the case to the Georgia Supreme Court review.
Read more here.
Fired Clayton CFO’s Discrimination Case Can Go Forward, Federal Judge Rules
Press
The Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP legal team recently won a procedural victory for their client - the former finance chief of Clayton County - in a suit against three county commissioners. When the commissioners asked to throw the suit out, the judge refused, saying there’s nothing “crazy” about the lawsuit. As detailed in a Law360 story by Kelcey Caulder, former Clayton Chief Financial officer Ramona Bivens – who’s represented by Buckley Bala Managing Partner Ed Buckley and Senior Attorney Jay Pontrelli – sued the county and three of its five commissioners last year for firing over her husband's work for another commissioner’s reelection campaign.
In the hearing to dismiss the case, the judge refused, saying, “I don't think it's crazy to say this kind of thing might happen.”
Read more here.
Employees Should Have Been Warned about County's Pension Freeze, Buckley Told Ga. Panel
Press
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP Managing Partner Edward Buckley recently asked the Georgia Court of Appeals to declare that a decision by the Hall County Board of Commissioners freezing the pension benefits of county employees, who have filed a class action lawsuit, was in fact a termination of their retirement plan and violated the county’s own rules.
Read more here.
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP Files Retaliation Complaint For Clayton County’s Former Finance Chief
Press
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP has sued Clayton County, Georgia, and three county commissioners on behalf of a woman who served as the county's chief financial officer for nearly 10 years and claims she was fired and denied nearly $85,000 in severance pay in retaliation for her husband's work on the campaign of another commission member whose reelection the trio opposed.
Woman Sues Marine Corps Alleging Sex Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation at Ga. Base
A woman who worked as a civilian at a Georgia Marine Corps base is suing the military, claiming she was subjected to sexual harassment, sex and race discrimination and retaliation while working there. “This is someone who was subjected to sexual harassment, who did everything right in complaining and opposing that harassment, and in response was subjected to further retaliation by the defendant, and ultimately that culminated in the alleged retaliatory discharge," Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP partner Thomas J. Mew IV told the Daily Report.
Read More Here
Lawrenceville Captain Exposed Sex Harassment, Now Says She Faces Retaliation
“She’s being marginalized, cut out of the loop,” Ed Buckley told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, on behalf of his client, the Lawrenceville police captain who says she is being retaliated against by the Lawrenceville Police Department, and cannot speak publicly due to a gag order, while the acting police chief hosted a press conference.
Click here to read the full blog.
Employees Not Shielded From Vaccine Questions Under HIPAA
Both Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott recently cited a 1996 health law when refusing to answer reporters’ questions regarding whether they were vaccinated.
Ed Buckley comments on the matter.
Learn more here.
Black IP Atty Asks Justices To Rule Title VII Covers Partners
A Black attorney who said she faced sexist and racist backlash after she complained about the way intellectual property firm Myers Bigel PA treated women is urging the nation’s highest court to hold that Title VII.
Learn more here.
Bostock V. Clayton County, GA.: Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP's Landmark Supreme Court Victory One Year Later
One year ago a historic civil rights victory in the Supreme Court was achieved, ensuring federal, uniform protection from employment discrimination LGBTQ+ employees.
Learn more here.
“Being an Anti-vaxxer Is Not Going to Cut It,” Employment Attorney Ed Buckley Told CBS 46 News.
Delta Air Lines took off in a different direction when it comes to protecting its workforce against COVID-19. Atlanta’s largest employer announced it will require new employees to be vaccinated if they want to join the team.
Atlanta employment attorney Ed Buckley said employers have the right to mandate that their employees get vaccinated.
States Prolong Covid-19 Liability Shields as Pandemic Persists
Press
Limitations on Covid-19 liability lawsuits are getting an extended lifespan in several states, as the pandemic drags on and business groups continue to warn of a possible wave of litigation.
Read more here.
Georgia Lawsuit Accuses Ex-NBA Star of Defrauding Investors of $1.1M
Press
A couple who were awarded a hefty settlement following a car wreck in 2013 have sued former professional basketball star Elliott “Dale” Davis in a Georgia trial court, claiming he cheated them out of more than $1.1 million in the guise of serving as their investment counselor.
Read more here.
Plaintiffs Employment Law Firms Bulk Up—and Other 'On the Move' News
Press
Two of Atlanta’s top boutiques handling plaintiffs’ employment law cases are adding attorneys amid more work in work place law and civil rights claims.
Read more here.
Atlanta Archdiocese Sued in Age and Disability Complaint
A former employee has filed a lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta alleging that she was dismissed because of her age and the condition of her health.
Read more here.
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP Hires Jay Pontrelli, A Former Assistant Attorney General With The Georgia Law Department
Press
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP, the preeminent civil rights and employment litigation firm headquartered in Atlanta, has hired Jay Pontrelli, a former Assistant Attorney General with the Georgia Law Department, as the newest attorney in the commercial litigation section.
Read more here.
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP Moves to Amend the Lawsuit in Bostock v. Clayton County, Ga.
Representative Cases | Individual Litigation
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP recently moved to amend the lawsuit in Gerald Bostock's case against Clayton County, asserting a new claim for post-employment retaliation. We have alleged that Clayton County Juvenile Court Chief Judge Steven Teske made disparaging comments about Mr. Bostock after he won at the Supreme Court of the United States. Read more about this new development, as reported by Law360.
Read more here.
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP’s Class Action Lawsuit Regarding Hall County Employees’ Pension Plan
Employment Law
Ed Buckley, Michael Kramer, and Anita Bala represent Hall County employees in a class action lawsuit which details how in 1998, Hall County completely changed its employees’ pension plan without fully disclosing the financial impact of the change to its employees or following an appropriate process to enact those changes.
On Wednesday, Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP participated in a hearing in Hall county Superior Court regarding the estimated $75 million class action lawsuit and the summary judgment motions pending before the Court.
As Michael Kramer told the Gainesville Times: “We think that the court should grant our motion for summary judgment, that the freeze was clearly unlawfully adopted and that any freeze is null and void as matter of law…”
WSB-TV interviewed Ed Buckley regarding discrimination and retaliation case
Press
WSB-TV reporter Dave Huddleston recently interviewed Edward D Buckley III about a race discrimination and retaliation case we have against the Georgia State Board of Workers Compensation.
Edward D Buckley III has been named one of three finalists for “Attorney of the Year” (April 18, 2019)
Press
We are excited to announce that Edward D Buckley III has been named one of three finalists for “Attorney of the Year” by the Daily Report 2019 Georgia Legal Awards. This award recognizes a Georgia lawyer who in 2018 had the biggest impact in law, the Georgia legal community and did the most to advance the cause of justice. We look forward to attending the Georgia Legal Awards dinner in June where the winners will be announced and the honorees will be recognized.
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP Attorney Thomas J. Mew IV Promoted to Partner - Press
Press
ATLANTA (April 9, 2019)– Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP, one of Atlanta’s leading employment and business litigation law firms, recently named Thomas (Tom) Mew as the firm’s newest partner.
Read more here.
Governor Replaces Agency Head Who Fired Three Black Administrators (March 4, 2019)
Press
The director of the Georgia Vocational and Rehabilitation Agency, Sean Casey, resigned less than three months after the state paid $1.5 million to settle claims of racial discrimination against three black administrators he fired. Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP's Ed Buckley, Ashley Wilson Clark and Isaac Raisner represented the plaintiffs in this case that ultimately led to victory and justice for their clients.
Learn more here.
Firing of 3 Black Administrators Ends in $1.5M Race Discrimination Settlement with State (Jan. 25, 2019)
Press
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP Attorneys Ed Buckley, Ashley Wilson Clark and Isaac Raisner, settle a race discrimination case against the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency and its Executive Director, Sean Casey, for $1.5 million. They argued that Casey and GVRA terminated three African American employees based on no other evidence than the color of their skin.
Learn more here.
Beloved Nashville Anchor Sues Meredith for Age Discrimination (Dec. 11, 2018)
Press
Ed Buckley is featured in this Bloomberg Businessweek article about an age discrimination case involving the termination of beloved Nashville news anchor Demetria Kalodimos. It's no secret that gender and age discrimination run rampant in the broadcast journalism industry. Read Ed’s commentary on the case here.
A $2.25 Million in a Sexual Harassment Case
Employment Law
In late 2006, the firm won a jury verdict of $2.25 million in a sexual harassment case against an Atlanta-based chain of sports bars and its principal shareholder. Our client was the company's highest-placed female officer. The firm's trial team was led by Ed Buckley and included Dena George.
A $1,060,000.00 Verdict Against Kennesaw State University
Employment Law
In 2004, Ed Buckley won a $1,060,000.00 verdict against Kennesaw State University in a sex discrimination and retaliation case. Our client was a professor of music. The jury found the university guilty of sex discrimination and retaliation when it promoted a far less qualified male to the position of Chair of the Music Department.
Business Litigation
Representative Cases | Business Litigation
Total HR Solutions, Inc. et al. v. Hounds Tooth Group, Inc. et al., Superior Court of Gwinnett County, Civil Action No. 09A019331 (2009). Successful two week arbitration of claims of unjust enrichment from failed purchase agreement of Professional Employer Organization (PEO).
Business Litigation
Representative Cases | Business Litigation
Superior Court of Cobb County, 2011– Successfully representation of bankruptcy trustee regarding claims of more than $13,000,000.00 in §1031 exchanges.
Former Officer Says Firing Retribution for Discrimination Case
Press
Former Officer Says Firing Retribution for Discrimination Case
Atlanta Watershed Whistleblowers Sue City Over Firing
Press
Former Watershed Employees Sue City
Press
Former Watershed Employees Sue City
Partner Ed Buckley Writes Opinion Piece on “Go Set a Watchman”
Press
Partner Ed Buckley Writes Opinion Piece on “Go Set a Watchman”
Panel Revives ADA Suit by School Bus Driver Who Said She Needed Air Conditioning
Press
Panel Revives ADA Suit by School Bus Driver Who Said She Needed Air Conditioning
Friends Since Childhood Form Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP
Press
New Overtime Rules Affect Thousands in Georgia
Press
'Deed Dogs' Win $768K for Unpaid Overtime, Legal Fees
Press
Attorney Paul Chichester Featured on GPB radio's 'On Second Thought' Discussing Proposed FLSA Changes
Press
Partner Ed Buckley Wins 2015 11Alive Community Service Award for Nonprofit Charity, Water Life Hope
Press
Partner Ed Buckley wins 2015 11Alive Community Service Award for Nonprofit Charity, Water Life Hope
Partner Ed Buckley Featured for Building Wells in Haiti
Press
Partner Ed Buckley featured for Building Wells in Haiti
Fulton Ends Reverse Bias Case, Pays Trio $3.5 Million
Employment Law
Two years after Fulton County lost a reverse discrimination case in federal court, the county has paid three white former employees $3.5 million in damages.
Atlanta attorney Edward D. Buckley III, a partner at Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP, said the county paid the judgment on June 30, less than three weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court denied, without comment, Fulton's petition for a writ of certiorari. Fulton County v. Lambert, No. 01-1568 (U.S June 10, 2002).
Significant Win in an Age Discrimination Case
Employment Law
In early 2007, the firm recovered just over $280,000.00 in back pay, benefits, and attorney's fees in an age discrimination case. The employer also unconditionally offered to reinstate our client to his job as Vice President of Marketing and Sales.
Victory Against Unfair Non-Compete Agreements
Employment Law
In 2003, the firm won a major victory on behalf of employees subject to unfair "non-compete" agreements. Georgia law requires strict scrutiny of these agreements and Georgia courts often bar employers from trying to enforce them. In Hostetler v. AnswerThink, the Georgia court of appeals held that Georgia courts have the power to prohibit former employers from trying to enforce invalid agreements throughout the United States, not just in Georgia. The Hostetler decison gives Georgia employees vital protection from "end run" efforts to enforce invalid non-compete agreements by filing lawsuits in other states.
2015 11Alive Community Service Awards Recipients Announced, Partner Ed Buckley Receives Honor for Nonprofit Work
Press
2015 11Alive Community Service Awards Recipients Announced, Partner Ed Buckley Receives Honor for Nonprofit Work
Employment Litigator Switches to the Plaintiffs Side
Press
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP attorney Tom Mew IV profiled by the Daily Report.
CBS46 Interviews Civil Rights Attorney Ed Buckley on Georgia’s Controversial Religious Freedom Bill
Press
Religious Freedom Bill Passes Georgia House and Senate
Atlanta Journal Constitution Interviews Partner Ed Buckley on ‘Religious Liberty’ Bill
Press
How the Religious Freedom Bill got to the Governor’s Desk
Heery International Sued by Former Executive Claiming Age, Gender Bias
Press
Daily Report Covers Whistle Blower Case Led by Partner Ed Buckley
Press
Former Ethics Panel Lawyers Retaliation Suit Ordered to Mediation
It's Time For Sexual Orientation Discrimination Protections
Press
Buckley Building Liquid Hope in Haiti
Press
Partner Ed Buckley Featured in the Atlanta Business Chronicle for Outstanding Charity Work
Veteran Civil Rights Attorney Providing Clean Water, Life to Haiti
Press
Managing Partner Ed Buckley Featured in the AJC for his Commitment to Help Others through Nonprofit, Water Life Hope
Another Racial Bias Suit Filed Against Atlanta's John Marshall Law School
Press
Managing Partner Ed Buckley‘s High Profile Case Featured in the Daily Report
$75M class-action lawsuit against Hall claims employees were denied pension funds
Press
Event Held to Showcase Board of Commissioners Getting Served with Suit Lead by Attorney Michael Kramer
Life with Gracie: Lawsuits accuse CNN of racial discrimination
Press
Ed Buckley Comments on Class Action Lawsuits Filed Against CNN for Racial and Religious Discrimination
Cobb Schools Seek to Have Yoga Law Suit Dismissed
Press
Ed Buckley's Cobb County yoga lawsuit is featured on CBS 46.
Ed Buckley Named 2018 Nela-Ga Advocacy Award Recipient
Press
Top Atlanta Employment Lawyer Honored for 35 Years of Dedication Protecting Employment Rights
Buford, Georgia, Settles Racial Lawsuit That Roiled City School System
Press
How a Supreme Court Decision Last Year is reshaping the Legal Battle Over LGBTQ+ Discrimination
A year after the Supreme Court handed down a landmark decision barring workplace discrimination against LGBTQ+ employees, gay rights advocates continue to benefit from the aftershocks even as they brace for a more challenging legal environment.
Read more here.
Newton County settles employment discrimination claims for $1 million
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP Managing Partner Ed Buckley wins settlement on employment discrimination claims with two former Newton County officials totaling more than $1 million.
Read More Here
Federal Lawsuit Filed Against Equifax After Whistleblower Claims the Company Refused to Answer Complaints of False Credit Reports
Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP Managing Partner Edward D. Buckley said a recent whistleblower lawsuit filed against credit reporting agency Equifax claims the company knowingly generated false credit reports that may have negatively impacted hundreds of thousands of consumers’ credit scores, driving up consumers’ credit card interest rates and affecting their ability to get a loan, finance a house or buy a car.
Read More Here
Atlanta Employment Lawyer Explains Whether Businesses Can Require COVID Vaccinations
Ed Buckley, was a guest on Thursday’s edition of “Closer Look” on WABE, and weighed in on The Biden administration pushing for employers with more than 100 employees to require mandatory vaccination or COVID testing.
Read More Here
Georgia Companies Trying To Figure Out how to Handle Pres. Biden's Vaccine Mandate
Labor lawyer Ed Buckley was asked by WSB-TV reporter Dave Huddleston for his thoughts on the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate. Through OSHA, Biden does have the authority for the mandate, Buckley said.
Worker Shortage Showing No Signs Of Improvement As Pandemic Continues
A nationwide worker shortage shows no signs of improving anytime soon and could get worse before it gets better. High-powered employment attorney Ed Buckley believes the current labor shortage plaguing most businesses is not going away.
Watch Here