Areas of Practice
Education
- Tulane University Law School, J.D., 1997, magna cum laude; Order of the Coif, Moot Court
- Binghamton University, B.A., 1992, Phi Beta Kappa
Bar Admissions
- Florida, 2003
- Louisiana, 1997
Court Admissions
- 5th Cir., 1997
- 11th Cir., 2005
- E.D. Ark., 2000
- W.D. Ark., 2000
- D. Colo., 2001
- M.D. Fla., 2005
- N.D. Fla., 2006
- S.D. Fla., 2004
- E.D. La., 1997
- M.D. La., 1997
- W.D. La., 1997
Laurie Chess defends employers in civil rights and other employment-related litigation, including litigation under federal laws, such as Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and their state law counterparts. She has also represented employers in class action cases involving allegations of institutional discrimination in terms of promotion, discipline, compensation, and termination. Ms. Chess also represents employers involved in administrative proceedings before the EEOC and state agencies.
Ms. Chess devotes a significant part of her practice to counseling employers on the development and implementation of policies and practices to minimize exposure to litigation, advising and defending employers in non-competition issues, and training management-level employees on various aspects of labor and employment law. Ms. Chess frequently speaks at seminars designed for human resource professionals and attorneys concerning these and other aspects of labor and employment law.
Ms. Chess also assists employers with obtaining temporary visas for foreign employees and providing employers with general immigration advice, such as I-9 compliance and national origin discrimination.
Representative Matters
- A defense verdict in an age discrimination and workers’ compensation retaliation case tried before a federal jury in Evansville, Indiana, on behalf of a national automotive retailer.
- A defense verdict in a disability and retaliation case tried by a jury in federal court in Kansas City, Missouri, on behalf of a national automotive retailer.
- A defense verdict in a hostile work environment and retaliation case tried by a jury in federal court in Wilmington, Delaware, on behalf of a national automotive retailer.
- Advised government contractor on policies and procedures regarding downsizing and FLSA compliance.
- A defense verdict in a national origin and religion discrimination and retaliation case tried by jury in federal court in Chicago, Illinois, on behalf of a national automotive retailer.
- A defense verdict in an age discrimination case tried by a jury in a federal court in Des Moines, Iowa, on behalf of an interstate travel plaza company.
- A defense verdict in a race discrimination and retaliation case tried by a jury in a federal court in Indianpolis, Indiana, on behalf of an interstate travel plaza company.
- Numerous summary judgments in state and federal courts and successful apppeals to the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits.
News
- Defense Verdict Obtained in Disability Discrimination/Retaliation Case Tried by Kern and Chess
- Kern and Chess Successfully Defend AutoZone in Retaliation Case
- Laurie Chess and Tracy Kern Help AutoZone Drive Away With Another Trial Victory
- Sid Lewis and Laurie Chess to Present Continuing Education Seminar on "Employee Discharge and Documentation"
- Chess to Present at National Business Institute's Immigration and Employment Seminar
- Jones Walker Announces New Partners
Presentations
- "Employee Discharge and Documentation in Louisiana", May 9, 2007
- "To Hire or Not to Hire...That is the Question", June 27, 2006
- "Certificate for HR Professionals", April 2003
Publications
- Louisiana Employment Law Letter
2006
Memberships
- American Immigration Lawyers Association
- Florida State Bar Association
- Louisiana State Bar Association (Member, Section on Labor and Employment Law)
- Society for Human Resource Management
