Craig S.Friedman

Partner

Atlanta + 1.404.581.8412

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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 (ERISA) 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.

Experience

  • IBM wins Second Circuit victory rejecting wave of challenges to timeliness provision in arbitration agreementJones Day successfully defended International Business Machine Corporation ("IBM") in dozens of lawsuits seeking to invalidate a key provision in an arbitration agreement.
  • PGT Innovations acquires NewSouth Window SolutionsJones Day advised PGT Innovations, Inc., a national leader in premium windows and doors, including impact-resistant products, in connection with its $92 million cash acquisition of NewSouth Window Solutions, subject to adjustments.
  • Flowers Foods defeats conditional certification in FLSA collective actionOn behalf of Flowers Foods, Inc., Jones Day defeated a motion to conditionally certify a proposed Fair Labor Standards Act class of bakery product distributors in the State of New York.
  • Manufacturer wins arbitration against former CEOJones Day successfully represented a manufacturer in its arbitration with its former CEO in which the CEO sought over $60 million in benefits or damages.
  • Nationwide bakery company resolves dispute arising from independent distributorJones Day represented a nationwide bakery in a threatened wrongful death action.
  • Publix wins summary judgment on questions of FLSA regular rate calculationJones Day represented Publix Super Markets, Inc. in defense against a company-wide collective action lawsuit alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act claiming that certain bonuses and other payments were improperly excluded from the calculation of the regular rate of pay of supermarket hourly associates nationwide.
  • IBM decertifies class of call center employees in Fair Labor Standards Act collective actionOn behalf of International Business Machines Corporation, Jones Day successfully moved for decertification of a class of call center employees in a Fair Labor Standards Act collective action.
  • IBM wins preemptive motion to deny class certification of California wage claimsOn behalf of International Business Machines Corporation, Jones Day preemptively defeated class certification of California-law wage claims.
  • Alderwoods defeats class certification in collective action brought under FLSA in PennsylvaniaOn September 9, 2011, Judge Joy Flowers Conti granted Alderwoods Group, Inc.'s motion to decertify a collective action brought under Section 216(b) of the Fair Labor Standards Act in Prise, et al. v. Alderwoods Group, Inc.
  • Alderwoods defeats class certification in nationwide off-the-clock caseJones Day defeated the plaintiffs' effort to obtain class certification of nationwide and California classes in an off-the-clock wage and hour action against Alderwoods Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Service Corporation International, Inc.
  • Hilton Worldwide Inc.-owned Waldorf-Astoria obtains voluntary dismissal in class action brought by banquet waitersOn behalf of Hilton Worldwide Inc.-owned Waldorf-Astoria, Jones Day obtained voluntary dismissal of a class action brought by banquet waiters at the famed Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.
  • Dick's Sporting Goods prevails on preemptive motion to deny class certification in nationwide off-the-clock caseJones Day successfully defended Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. in this nationwide case seeking class action status under the laws of more than 30 states and under the FLSA.
  • Scotts Company secures Second Circuit affirmance of sanctions award and dismissal of discrimination actionJones Day obtained monetary sanctions against Plaintiff and her counsel for frivolous filings and, further, persuaded the Court to dismiss Plaintiff's claims of race, gender, and disability discrimination and enter judgment for The Scotts Company due to Plaintiff's repeated failure to comply with discovery orders.
  • Alderwoods obtains dismissal of plaintiff's Rule 23 state law claimsJones Day is defending Alderwoods Group, Inc. in this nationwide "off the clock" collective action.
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    MARCH 2021 Commentary

    Fifth Circuit Requires "Rigorous Scrutiny" Before District Courts Authorize Notice in FLSA Collective Actions

    September 2020 Alert

    Adjusting to New Economic Realities: Department of Labor Proposes Worker Classification Test

    August 2020 Alert

    DOL Steadies Fluctuating Workweek Rule

    July 2017 External Publications

    Hybrid Wage and Hour Section 216(b) FLSA Collective and Rule 23 Class Actions

    June 2017 Commentary

    Georgia Enacts New Laws Relating to Paid Sick Leave and Pay for Schedule Changes

    January 2017 Commentary

    The Fate of the New Overtime Regulations Remains Uncertain

    Fall 2016 External Publications

    The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same: How Courts Have Applied the Amended Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in Employment Cases, Atlanta Bar Association Labor & Employment Law Section Newsletter

    May 2016 Alert

    DOL Mandates 100% Increase in Minimum Salary to Satisfy Fair Labor Standards Act White Collar Overtime Exemptions

    January 2016 Commentary

    Department of Labor Attempts to Take Broad View of Joint Employment Status

    November 10, 2014 External Publications

    Drilling Down: Wage and Hour Claims, Texas Lawyer

    View All

    Additional Speaking Engagements

    • 2/5/2024
      Advancing Diversity and Managing Risk: Corporate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives Post-Harvard/UNC (Jones Day CLE Academy)
    • April 3, 2019
      Discovery Strategies in Wage and Hour Class and Collective Actions Before and After Class Certification
    • January 28, 2019
      Workplace Investigations: Strategies and Pitfalls, JD CLE Academy
    • December 17, 2018
      Detecting Bias: Model Rule of Professional Responsibility 8.4(g) Viewed Through the Lens of Sherlock Holmes Movies, Celesq
    • March 7, 2018
      Classification of Workers, The Fair Labor Standards Act, and Compensation in the Nonprofit Workplace, Atlanta Bar Association Pro Bono March Madness
    • January 22, 2018
      Navigating The #MeToo World: Practical Advice for Corporate Boards and Executives, JD CLE Academy
    • October 18, 2017
      Daubert Hearings & Preparing for Direct and Cross Examination, Advanced Civil Trial Practice, Emory University School of Law, Guest Lecturer, Experts
    • March 17, 2017
      Wage & Hour Update, Recent Developments and Practical Advice, Atlanta Bar Association Advanced Employment Law CLE
    • January 13, 2017
      Sherlock Holmes and Ethical Rules Addressing Discrimination: A Cinematic Journey, Jones Day CLE Academy
    • February 19, 2016
      Education Advocacy for Children in Care: Student Tribunal Hearing Training
    • March 31, 2015
      Labor & Employment Law for Non-Profits: Compensation in the Nonprofit Workplace, Atlanta Bar Association Pro Bono March Madness
    • December 11, 2013
      Public School Disciplinary Hearings in Georgia: Georgia Appleseed Pro Bono Training
    • April 16, 2013
      Claims of Sexual Orientation Discrimination Under Federal, State, and Local Law, Labor & Employment Law Society, Georgia State University College of Law
    • March 19, 2013
      Public School Disciplinary Hearings in Georgia: Georgia Appleseed Pro Bono Training
    • February 28, 2013
      Get Ready To Play or Pay!: Key Considerations About the Employer Health Coverage Mandate, Jones Day CLE Academy

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