John D. Bennett
Partner
Suite 2100
Biography
John is a partner in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Employment practices, focusing on employment litigation, workplace counseling, restrictive covenant disputes, commercial litigation, and Fair Housing Act matters. He represents private employers, executives, healthcare organizations, and governmental entities — including cities, counties, school districts, and other public agencies in complex workplace disputes, employment litigation, and high-stakes business matters. Clients rely on John to provide strategic guidance that helps them manage risk, resolve disputes, and achieve their business objectives.
John regularly defends employers in matters involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour, leave, workplace safety, labor relations, and other employment issues arising under Title VII and other federal, state, and local employment laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (“PWFA”), WARN Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA”), National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”), and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (“USERRA”).
In addition to defending litigation, he advises employers on workplace compliance, employee discipline and terminations, internal investigations, equal employment opportunity (“EEO”) matters, employment policies, record retention, and other day-to-day workplace issues. John also develops and delivers management and employee training programs designed to strengthen compliance and minimize legal exposure.
John also maintains an active commercial litigation practice with a focus on restrictive covenant, non-compete, trade secret, and business tort disputes. He represents corporations, physicians, C-suite executives, and other professionals in matters involving shareholder disputes, fraud and conspiracy claims, state and federal RICO actions, and intellectual property-related litigation.
A significant component of John’s practice is defending Fair Housing Act litigation and administrative charges nationwide. He represents property owners, homeowners’ associations, apartment communities, senior living providers, and other housing organizations in discrimination matters before federal and state courts and enforcement agencies in more than 20 states.
John’s experience representing both private employers and governmental entities provides him with a practical understanding of the legal, operational, and reputational challenges organizations face when workplace disputes arise. Whether counseling employers on sensitive personnel matters, defending restrictive covenant disputes, or representing housing providers in complex Fair Housing Act matters, he delivers thoughtful legal strategies that address both immediate challenges and long-term business priorities.
Related Services
Experience
- Representing multiple clients in non-compete, non-solicit, and trade secret misappropriation lawsuits; senior living centers in numerous Fair Housing disputes; and both private and governmental employers in discrimination, harassment, and workplace retaliation lawsuits.
- Bolden v. City of Dunwoody – Granted summary judgment for employer on sexual harassment and retaliation claims.*
- Bivins v. Franklin – Obtained reversal of district court’s denial of qualified immunity as to County Commissioner in connection with former County CFO’s First Amendment “intimate association” claim.*
- Goolsby v. City of Monroe et al. – District court granted summary judgment to employer in race discrimination and retaliation lawsuit; decision affirmed on appeal.*
- Sims v. City of Augusta-Richmond County – Granted summary judgment for employer on FMLA and ADA discrimination and retaliation claims.*
- Sneed v. City of Albany – Obtained summary judgment on employee’s age discrimination claim based on denial of promotion.*
- Patterson v. AJ Servs. Joint Venture I, LLP – Granted summary judgment for employer on claims of FMLA interference and retaliation.*
- Mauldin v. Chatham Area Transit Authority – Obtained denial of plaintiff’s emergency motion for TRO and preliminary injunction.*
- Cook et al. v. ER Snell Contractor et al. – Obtained summary judgment on multi-plaintiff FLSA and breach of contract claims against client based on court’s finding that no joint employment relationship existed.*
- Triad Construction Co., Inc. v. Robert Half Int’l, Inc. – Affirmed grant of summary judgment in complex negligent hire and retention matter based on failure to comply with pre-suit notice requirement set forth in underlying contract.*
- Futrell v. Southeastrans, Inc. – Summary judgment obtained in pregnancy discrimination, ADA, and FMLA case.*
- Millspaugh v. Cobb County – Granted summary judgment to employer on claims of First Amendment retaliation and Georgia Whistleblower Act retaliation; decision affirmed on appeal.*
*Representative matters handled while practicing at another law firm.
Credentials
- University of Georgia School of Law, Juris Doctor,cum laude
- University of Georgia, Bachelor of Arts - English
- State of Georgia
- State Courts of Georgia
- Superior Courts of Georgia
- Georgia Court of Appeals
- Supreme Court of Georgia
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- Georgia Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association, Atlanta Chapter
- Defense Research Institute
Recognition
- Best Lawyers in America®, Employment Law – Management, 2021, 2023-26
- “Rising Star,” Georgia Super Lawyers, 2017-18
- “Legal Elite,” Georgia Trend, 2015