What do you do when the love affair ends? – Effective General Release Agreements

David Walston is a shareholder in the Birmingham office of Ogletree Deakins — practicing exclusively in this particular arena for more than 30 years. He regularly defends businesses in claims under Title VII, §1981, §1983, ADA, ADEA, and FMLA. With the growth of wage and hour litigation, David has spent a large part of his practice defending individual and collective actions under the FLSA. He regularly advises businesses regarding compliance with OSHA programs and training responsibilities, reporting, recording, and record-keeping obligations, and guides clients through OSHA inspections, investigations, and citations. David’s experience further extends to advising and representing management regarding rights and obligations under the National Labor Relations Act, including response to employee complaints and other concerted activities, union organizational activity, and unfair labor practices charges. He routinely provides on-site training for managers and supervisors regarding compliance and related risk management with respect to federal employment laws.

Kimberly R. Ward is of counsel in the Birmingham, Alabama, office of Ogletree Deakins. Her practice focuses on representing management in employment matters. Kimberly concentrates her practice on all areas of employment litigation, including claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) compliance, accommodation issues, wage and hour disputes, and noncompetition matters.  In addition to her litigation practice, Kimberly also regularly provides advice and counsel to clients on a variety of legal issues related to preventing and managing employment claims, including employee performance and disciplinary issues, leave issues, accommodations, and harassment prevention.  Kimberly also provides onsite EEO training to employers and human resource groups aimed at preventing and managing employment claims.  She also assists employers with drafting and updating workplace policies, including employee handbooks.  Kimberly has practiced in numerous federal and state courts, before arbitrator tribunals, and administrative agencies.

Kimberly also has significant appellate advocacy experience. She has regularly counseled clients regarding appellate procedure and represented clients before the Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Circuits, as well as the Georgia and Alabama appellate courts. She has served as a judicial clerk in both state and federal court. Kimberly clerked for Judge Joel F. Dubina, Chief Circuit Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and Justice Champ Lyons, Jr., Associate Justice, Alabama Supreme Court.