About

Provided by Butler Snow LLP

Butler Snow represents public and private sector employers across the United States in every aspect of the employment relationship. Our labor and employment practice is grounded in a preventive philosophy focused on practical counseling and early action to reduce risk and avoid disputes. We provide integrated employment counseling, training, litigation defense, traditional labor relations representation, alternative dispute resolution, and business immigration services.

We advise employers on complex federal, state, and local employment laws, including the FMLA and ADEA, delivering business‑focused guidance aligned with organizational goals, workforce flexibility, and productivity. Our litigation team represents management exclusively and has defended employment claims in federal and state courts in more than 20 states, including jury and non‑jury trials, class actions, and appeals. Butler Snow also has a national reputation for effective mediation and arbitration, helping employers manage cost, disruption, and reputational risk. Our immigration team provides comprehensive business immigration support, from compliance and enforcement to temporary and permanent visas, working closely with other practice groups to address the needs of a global workforce. We also bring decades of experience in union avoidance, organizing campaigns, and labor contract negotiations across industries.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Labor & Employment - Tennessee

2
Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Butler Snow is a highly reputed team offering expertise to both public and private sector clients across the full gamut of labor relations, employment litigation and compliance issues. It is also experienced in immigration matters and internal investigations. The firm is recognized for its expert counsel on issues arising in highly regulated industries, with particular strength in acting for healthcare entities such as hospitals and academic medical centers. It demonstrates further expertise in trade secrets and noncompete agreement disputes.

Work Highlights

  • Butler Snow defended Weather King in a trade secrets and breach of loyalty suit brought against former employees.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Kara E. Shea
2
Kara E. Shea
2
Band 2

Kara Shea offers expertise in ADA compliance training, workplace investigations and litigation assistance. She has experience handling wage and hour collective actions and wrongful termination suits.

Kara is an excellent attorney and understands the complexities of our business.

Kara Shea is results-driven, responsive and overall incredible to work with. We trust her judgement without fail.

Regardless of the wide range of questions we have had, Kara has been an invaluable resource to us as we have faced new national and state legal challenges and internal challenges. We would not choose to work with any other attorney.

David Johnson
3
David Johnson
3
Band 3

David Johnson has a robust litigation practice with particular expertise in unfair competition issues, including noncompete and trade secrets litigation.

I love the way his brain works and the way he approaches problems. He is not afraid of unconventional arguments which is a rare gift.

David Johnson has been invaluable as we navigate labor and employment matters.

Rowan Leathers
3
Rowan Leathers
3
Band 3

Rowan Leathers is able to support clients on a broad spectrum of labor and employment matters including advising and representing on ethical and professional liability matters.

Ranked Lawyers at
Butler Snow LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Tennessee

Labor & Employment

Kara E. Shea
2
Kara E. Shea
2
Band 2
David Johnson
3
David Johnson
3
Band 3
Rowan Leathers
3
Rowan Leathers
3
Band 3

Members

Provided by Butler Snow LLP