Top 100 U.S. law firm Akerman LLP today announced the expansion of its Labor and Employment Practice Group with partner Phillip Harris in Tampa.  Harris joins the firm from Jackson Lewis P.C.

“Phillip brings to Akerman a track record of success representing employers in sensitive investigations and contentious litigation, all while providing employment counseling to avoid such challenges to begin with,” said Eric Gordon, Labor and Employment Practice Group Chair. “Phillip has a viewpoint of the most pressing issues impacting employers and we are fortunate to have his unique skills and perspective on our team.”

Harris focuses his practice on employment litigation, defending clients in discrimination, harassment, wage and hour, whistleblower, retaliation, and wrongful termination matters. He defends clients in a variety of venues, including state and federal courts as well as before the Department of Labor, the EEOC, and state and local human rights commissions. He has secured countless dismissals for employers in federal and state courts, as well as with the Department of Labor, the EEOC, the Florida Commission on Human Relations, and the Division of Administrative Hearings.

In addition to establishing himself as a seasoned litigator, Harris also partners with clients in providing advice on employee hiring, separation, severance, discipline, terminations, demotions, reductions in force, sexual harassment avoidance, and various internal employee investigations. He represents employers in a wide variety of industries, including banking and finance, auto dealerships, installation, correction, manufacturing, healthcare, housing, electrical, insurance, retail, restaurant, and not-for-profit, among others.

Harris follows the addition of employment litigation partner Mishell Parreno Taylor, who works from the firm’s Los Angeles and Houston offices.