Craig Friedman

Craig Friedman, whose practice focuses on employment law, is a leader in the defense of employment class actions including wage-and-hour litigation. He has secured victories around the nation in employment class actions, including for clients such as Publix Super Markets, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and The Scott Fetzer Company.

Beyond class actions, Craig represents employers in a broad range of labor and employment matters. This includes lawsuits brought under the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and various state laws.

On behalf of The Scotts Company, Craig successfully argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit that the lower court properly dismissed claims of race, gender, and disability discrimination. In addition, he was recognized as a recommended attorney by Legal 500 for workplace counseling and for ERISA litigation.

Active in community service in Atlanta, Craig is a member of the board of directors of the Labor and Employment Section of the Atlanta Bar Association. He is also on the board of directors of the JDRF Georgia Chapter. Craig is past president of the Executive Committee of Georgia Appleseed’s Young Professionals Council and previously served on Georgia Appleseed’s board of directors. He also has served on the Leadership Council of Arts For Learning, Woodruff Arts Center, a nonprofit organization that provides educational arts programming to Georgia students.

EDUCATION:

• Boston University (M.S. in Communication 2005; J.D. cum laude 2004; Paul J. Liacos Distinguished Scholar; Articles Editor, Boston University Journal of Science and Technology Law);
• The George Washington University (B.B.A. in Business Economics and Public Policy magna cum laude 2001)

BAR ADMISSIONS:

• Georgia;
• New York;
• New Jersey; U.S. Supreme Court;
• U.S. District Courts for the Northern District of Georgia,
• Northern District of Florida, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of New York, and
• District of New Jersey;
• U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Second and Eleventh Circuits

EXPERIENCE:

• Publix wins summary judgment on questions of FLSA regular rate calculation
• IBM decertifies class of call center employees in Fair Labor Standards Act collective action
• IBM wins preemptive motion to deny class certification of California wage claims
• Alderwoods defeats class certification in collective action brought under FLSA in Pennsylvania
• Alderwoods defeats class certification in nationwide off-the-clock case
• Hilton Worldwide Inc.-owned Waldorf-Astoria obtains voluntary dismissal in class action brought by banquet waiters
• Dick’s Sporting Goods prevails on preemptive motion to deny class certification in nationwide off-the-clock case
• Scotts Company secures Second Circuit affirmance of sanctions award and dismissal of discrimination action.