John D. Bennett

Partner

Direct: 404.873.7025
Atlanta
171 17th Street NW
Suite 2100
Atlanta, Georgia 30363

Biography

John, a partner in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Employment practices, focuses 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 in complex workplace disputes, employment litigation, and high-stakes business matters. Clients rely on John’s strategic guidance to manage risk, resolve disputes, and achieve business objectives.

John defends employers in discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour, leave, workplace safety, labor relations, and other employment issues under Title VII and other federal, state, and local employment laws, including the ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, PWFA, WARN Act, OSHA, NLRA, and USERRA.

In addition to defending litigation, John advises employers on workplace compliance, discipline, terminations, investigations, EEO matters, policies, record retention, and other issues. He develops training programs to strengthen compliance and minimize legal exposure.

John’s commercial litigation practice focuses on restrictive covenant, non-compete, trade secret, and business tort disputes. He represents corporations, physicians, executives, and professionals in shareholder disputes, fraud, RICO actions, and intellectual property litigation.

A significant part of his practice is defending Fair Housing Act litigation and administrative charges nationwide. He represents property owners, associations, communities, and providers in discrimination matters before federal and state courts and agencies in over 20 states.

John’s experience with both private and governmental entities provides him with a practical understanding of workplace disputes’ legal, operational, and reputational challenges. He delivers thoughtful legal strategies that address immediate and long-term business priorities.

Related Services

Related Industries

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

    Education
    • University of Georgia School of Law, Juris Doctor,
      cum laude
    • University of Georgia, Bachelor of Arts - English
    Admissions
    • State of Georgia
    Court Admissions
    • 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
    Associations
      • 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

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