Phillip Russell

Practice Areas

Workplace Safety and Health, Leaves of Absence/Reasonable Accommodation, Unfair Competition and Trade Secrets, Traditional Labor Relations, Employment Law, Litigation, Trial, Workplace Investigations and Organizational Assessments, Drug Testing, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)

Career

Phillip is a board-certified OSHA and employment lawyer, litigator, and advisor. He has practiced for more than 27 years and has developed a reputation for being a strategic, practical, and trusted partner to clients on labor and employment matters. One of Phillip’s strengths is developing teams and deploying firm resources to ensure clients receive the best possible service and results.

OSHA Inspections, Citations, and Litigation. Phillip and his teams have helped clients with more than 200 workplace fatality inspections and several hundred more types of routine inspections. Their goal is to avoid or minimize OSHA citations. Phillip and his teams work with in-house counsel, safety professionals, HR, and executive leadership to navigate through complex and trying times by bringing calm to chaos and a plan to uncertainty. One client’s in-house attorney recently said, “Phillip and his team gave us calm clarity with practical solutions to help our people and our business after we had a fatal accident on one our job sites.”

Through his leadership in responding to a multi-person, high-stakes workplace fatality for a client, Phillip exemplified the firm’s Client Pledge to serve clients at the highest level through value, innovation, quality, collaboration, and communication. The client’s general counsel commented that, “Phillip responded to the crisis with a firm understanding of the legal issues and business impact and lead the team with resolve, focus, and a plan.” – Ogletree Deakins – Living the Client Pledge Award 2018

OSHA Training and Advice. Phillip works with clients to train and educate safety professionals and management on what to do if OSHA shows up and other related topics. He advises clients on compliance and regulatory issues.

OSHA Regulatory and Policy Advocacy. Phillip represents and advises industry associations and large national employers regarding OSHA’s regulatory and policy initiatives and priorities. He was a leading voice for employers in opposing the COVID Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), which the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately struck down.

OSHA Thought Leader. Phillip is recognized as a thought leader on OSHA and workplace safety and health legal issues. He hosts the firm’s OSHA podcast Dirty Steel-Toe Boots, has twice edited the ABA’s seminal treatise on OSHA law, regularly posts OSHA updates on LinkedIn, and speaks and writes regularly for industry groups and professional associations.

Employment Litigator and Advisor. Phillip serves as lead counsel on high-stakes employment litigation matters that pose significant risk to his client’s business. He is also a strategic, practical, and trusted legal advisor on labor and employment matters. Phillip helps his clients by mobilizing firm and third-party resources using his experience, knowledge, and business understanding to drive strategy recommendations.

Professional Memberships

Florida Transportation Builders Association (Labor & Employment Counsel; Safety Committee Co-Chair 2016-2020; Safety Committee Member)

ARTBA Member

Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC), Florida West Coast Chapter (Outside Counsel)

IEC National, and numerous IEC Chapters nationwide, including the Florida West Coast, Atlanta, Georgia, and Austin chapters

American Bar Association (Workplace and Occupational Safety & Health Law Committee; Labor & Employment and Litigation Sections)

Florida Bar Association (Labor & Employment Section’s Workplace Health and Safety Committee)

Hillsborough County Bar Association (Labor & Employment Section Co-Chair, 2008-2009)

Georgia Bar Association (Labor & Employment Section)

Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) – West Central Florida Chapter

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and numerous SHRM Chapters, including HR Tampa, Sarasota-Manatee Human Resources Association (SHRA), Big Bend Society for Human Resource Management (BBSHRM), Keys SHRM, Lake Sumter SHRM, HR Association of Broward County (HRABC), and others

Autism Inspired Academy, co-founder and scholarship committee member

Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County, Inc., Board Member (Governor Appointed) (May 2016-2020)

Education