John Beasley

John is an employment and civil rights attorney who has been practicing law for more than 35 years. For the last 30 years he has been representing employees, executives and small employers on employment matters of all kinds. In addition to private sector employees and employers, John has represented numerous public sector employees such as teachers, professors, State and County workers, and first responders. His considerable experience extends to both State and Federal courtrooms where he has tried to verdict cases involving an array of labor, civil rights, and whistleblower laws including the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Sarbanes Oxley, and the U.S. Constitution. John has also done considerable work on behalf of employees both individually and collectively who have been denied proper minimum wage and overtime pay under the FLSA, and employees who have lost their jobs as a result of mass layoffs and plant closings in violation of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act. John’s practice has also included representation of our Country’s military service members in job discrimination claims under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

In 2016, John was selected to be admitted into the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, an association that honors distinguished and leading lawyers nationwide who practice Labor and Employment Law. He is a member of the American Bar Association Labor & Employment Law Section and past co-chair of the Employment Rights and Responsibilities Committee of that Section. John is also a long-time member of the National Employment Lawyers Association, has served on its Executive Board, and is a two-time past president and board member of its Georgia affiliate. John has been a regular speaker at employment seminars across the country and has published papers and articles on a variety of employment law and litigation related matters. Most recently, John has authored the Georgia Chapter and Georgia Supplements for the ABA Employment at Will treatise published by BNA, and has been an editor and consultant on other treatises involving employment law.

John’s experience includes years working in Atlanta at a “big city” practice as well as work in smaller communities like Athens and Watkinsville, Georgia. Currently, John lives in Watkinsville with his wife, a University of Georgia professor and administrator. He has two daughters one recently graduated from the University of Georgia and the other just beginning her college career at UGA. When not working John enjoys hiking, canoeing, and fly fishing, mostly with his dog Luna, and developing his fly-tying skills.

• Beasley, John F. Jr., “Georgia,” (Book Chapter on Wrongful Discharge and Employment at Will in Georgia) in Employment at Will: A State by State Survey ed. Melinda J. Caterine (BNA Books)(December 2011 and supplements 2013-2022)

  The Georgia Chapter in this BNA publication Employment at Will, provides an overview of employment law in Georgia, which is easy to follow and provides an analysis, complete with abundant case authority, of the common law and state statutory exceptions to employment-at-will in Georgia. While the chapter is a quick reference both for the specialist and the general practitioner, the expansive book, is a go-to source for lawyers that practice employment law in multiple jurisdictions. It can also be a valuable tool for the state employment law practitioner who wishes to argue a legal concept by analogy to other jurisdictions.

• “Cases That All NELA Members Need To Have In Their Hip Pockets,” Co-authored with Alice Ballard, Michael Subit and Diane King, The Employee Advocate 66-85 (Summer/Fall 2007)
• “Reemployment Rights for Noncareer Members of the Uniformed Services: Federal and State Law Protections,” Co-authored with Dr. Marisa Anne Pagnattaro, 20:2 The Labor Lawyer 155-176 (2004)
• “Protecting America’s Reservists: Application of State and Federal Law to Reservists’ Claims of Unfair Labor Practices,” Georgia Bar Journal, February 2002, at 10

• “Under Pressure: Summary Judgment Standards and Compelling Case Law” National Employment Lawyers Association, Georgia Affiliate, Atlanta, Georgia, February 5, 2021
• Beasley, John F. Jr., Political Action in the Non-Union Workforce, 47, 3, A.B.A. Lab. and Emp. L. Newsl. (2018)
• "Drafting Appeals in an Employment Case" Georgia ICLE Seminar, Litigating the Plaintiff's Employment Law Case, Atlanta, Georgia, September 23, 2016
• "Medical Testing - Mental Impairments - Privacy: A Look at Protections Under the ADA, FMLA, GINA and HIPAA" National Employment Lawyers Association, Georgia Chapter Seminar, Health Matters: Representing Employees with Temporary and Permanent Impairments, Atlanta, Georgia, October 9, 2015
• "Medical Testing & Mental Impairments Under the ADA: Employee Rights and Protections" ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law Midwinter Meeting, Employment Rights and Responsibilities Committee, Naples, Florida, March 25-28, 2015
• "Pragmatic Brief Writing: When to Move, When to Respond and When to Stop Typing" National Employment Lawyers Association, 2014 Annual Convention, Boston, Massachusetts, June 25-28, 2014
• "Motions in Limine in the Trial of an Employment Case: A Plaintiff's Perspective" National Employment Lawyers Association, Georgia Affiliate Fall CLE Seminar, The Trial of a Plaintiff's Employment Case, Atlanta, Georgia, October 10, 2013
• "USERRA: What Every Practitioner Should Know When GI Joe and Jane Come Marching Home" ABA Labor & Employment Section CLE Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, November 2, 2012
• “Proof of Pretext: A Review of Case Authority and Strategy From A Plaintiff’s Perspective,” ABA Labor & Employment Section CLE Conference, Seattle, Washington, November 4, 2011
• “Deposing Witnesses in Employment Cases,” National Employment Lawyers Association, Georgia Affiliate Fall CLE Seminar, Tips for Litigationg Plaintiff’s Employment Cases, Atlanta, Georgia, October 27, 2011
• “Case Dismissed? Summary Judgment Practice in Employment Cases,” ABA Labor & Employment Section CLE Conference, Washington, DC, November 2009
• “Selected Supreme Court Cases: Crawford, Fitzgerald, Hulteen, Gross and Iqbal,” Employment Law For The Practitioner And The Pros,” National Employment Lawyers Association, Georgia Affiliate Fall CLE Seminar, Atlanta, Georgia, September 2009
• “Plaintiffs’ and Defendants’ Strategies in “Whistleblower” Cases: Qui Tam, Sarbanes-Oxley, and Other Whistleblower Statutes,” Moderator, Annual Whistleblower Law Symposium, Atlanta, Georgia, March 4, 2009
• “Cases That All NELA Members Need To Have In Their Hip Pockets,” updated and co-authored with Alice Ballard and Michael Subit edited by Diane King, The National Employment Lawyers Association Nineteenth Annual Convention, Atlanta, Georgia, June 25, 2008
• “Reasonable Accommodation Under the ADA: Recent Cases and Strategies,” forthcoming for “A Primer On Employee Leave Laws: Untangling the Web,” The Seminar Group Conference, March 27, 2008
• “Building Up To Summary Judgment Through Pleadings and Discovery,” Moderator, “Summary Judgment On My Mind: Pre-Trial Strategies and Tactics From The Pros,” Atlanta Bar Association Labor & Employment Law Section Annual Conference, Lake Lanier Islands, Georgia, March 7, 2008
• “Reporting Back for Duty: USERRA and the Rights of Your Military Employees,” co-presented with Captain Samuel Wright, Gary Eidelman and Kevin Covert, The First Annual ABA Labor & Employment Section CLE Conference, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 10, 2007
• “Cases That All NELA Members Need To Have In Their Hip Pockets,” co-authored with Alice Ballard and Michael Subit edited by Diane King, The National Employment lawyers Association Eighteenth Annual Convention, San Juan, Puerto Rico June 30, 2007
• “Top Ten Trial Tips: Perspectives of and Employee Advocate,” The Basics, Employment Litigation Skills Training, American Bar Association Labor & Employment Law Seminar, New Orleans, Louisiana, March 27, 2007
• “Workplace Investigations: A Reality Check,” paper prepared for 35th Annual Labor & Employment Law Institute,” sponsored by ICLE – Atlanta, Georgia, December 16, 2005
• “2005 Annual Employment Law Update Plus – Tales of the Heinous, Hilarious, Hail Mary’s and Hallelujahs of the Year,” The Fifteenth Annual Employment Litigation Conference, sponsored by the National Employment Lawyers Association – Georgia Affiliate, Negril, Jamaica, December 2005
• “Religion in the Workplace: Competing Values and Competing Claims,” co-authored with Mary M. Brockington and Edward D. Buckley, III, presented at the ICLE Seminar: 2005 Employment Law Seminar, Atlanta, Georgia, January 19, 2005
• “Deconstructing a Jury: Simone Harlowe v. Micro GPS, Inc.,” Moderator and Panelist, American Bar Association National Convention, Labor & Employment Section Employee Rights and Responsibilities Committee Presentation, Atlanta, Georgia August 2004
• “Simone Harlowe v. Micro GPS, Inc.: Mock Trial Presentation,” Developed Fact Pattern, Moderator and Plaintiff’s team coordinator – American Bar Association Labor & Employment Section Employee Rights and Responsibilities Committee Midwinter Meeting, Palm Springs, California, March 2004
• “Protecting The Home Front: Understanding State and Federal laws that Insure Fair Employment for the Military Reserve,” ICLE Seminar: 33rd Annual Labor & Employment Law Institute, Atlanta, Georgia, December 19, 2003
• “Eleventh Circuit Annual Employment Law Update: Supreme Court, Eleventh Circuit, Federal and State Appellate Courts,” The Thirteenth Annual Employment Litigation Conference, sponsored by the National Employment Lawyers Association – Georgia Affiliate, Negril, Jamaica, December 2003
• “Summary Judgment Practicalities and Perspectives: A Plaintiff Attorney’s Guide to Strategies in Avoidence of Consequences on the Path to Trial” American Bar Association Labor & Employment Section Employee Rights and Responsibilities Committee Midwinter Meeting, San Juan, Puerto Rico, March 2003
• “Putting The Responsibility Back Into “Corporate Responsibility” Statutes: A Primer on the WARN Act and its Application to Affiliated Companies,” co-authored with Marisa A. Pagnattaro, The Twelfth Annual Employment Litigation Conference, sponsored by the National Employment Lawyers Association – Georgia Affiliate, Negril, Jamaica, December 2002
• “Eleventh Circuit Annual Employment Law Update: Supreme Court; Eleventh Circuit; Federal and State Appellate Courts,” The Twelfth Annual Employment Litigation Conference, sponsored by the National Employment Lawyers Association – Georgia Affiliate, Negril, Jamaica, December 2002
• “Community/Market Rates: The Poison in the Well of Fair Compensation?” American Bar Association Labor & Employment Section Employee Rights and Responsibilities Committee Midwinter Meeting, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, March 2002
• “Making A Visual Impression: Using Technology in the Courtroom,” Co-authored with Marisa A. Pagnattaro, American Bar Association Labor & Employment Section Employee Rights and Responsibilities Committee Midwinter Meeting, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, March 2002
• “Protecting America’s Reservists: Application of State and Federal Law to Reservists” Claims of Unfair Labor Practices,” ICLE Seminar: Employment Litigation 2002: An Update for the Employment Practitioner, Atlanta, Georgia, March 8, 2002
• “Eleventh Circuit Annual Employment Law Update: Supreme Court; Eleventh Circuit; Federal and State Appellate Courts,” The Eleventh Annual Employment Litigation Conference, sponsored by the National Employment Lawyers Association – Georgia Affiliate, Negril, Jamaica, December 2001
• “Protecting America’s Reservists: A Primer on the Application of the USERRA to Reservists= Claims of Unfair Labor Practices,” The Eleventh Annual Employment Litigation Conference, sponsored by the National Employment Lawyers Association – Georgia Affiliate, Negril, Jamaica, December 2001
• “Dealing with the EEOC: Practical Considerations for the Uninitiated – Strategies from a Plaintiff’s Perspective,” American Bar Association Labor & Employment Section ERR Seminar: Basic Equal Employment Opportunity Law and Procedures, Atlanta, Georgia, November 15, 2001.
• “Jury Instructions: Preparation, Presentation and Preservation: Strategies from a Plaintiff’s Perspective,” American Bar Association Labor & Employment Section Employee Rights and Responsibilities Committee Midwinter Meeting, St. Petersburg, Florida, March 2001
• “Mixed-Motives – Jury Instruction Strategies from a Plaintiff’s Perspective, American Bar Association Labor & Employment Section Employee Rights and Responsibilities Committee Midwinter Meeting, St. Petersburg, Florida, March 2001
• “The Ethical Bottom Line: Hypothetical Case Analysis Under the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct,” 2001 Civil Rights Seminar: Perspective of the Experts on Emerging Issues, Atlanta, Georgia, March 2001
• “Conducting Workplace Investigations,” Lorman Education Services – Employment and Labor Law in Georgia, Athens, Georgia, January 2001
• “Eleventh Circuit Update: Supreme Court and Circuit Survey,” The Tenth Annual Employment Litigation Conference, sponsored by the National Employment Lawyers Association – Georgia Affiliate, Negril, Jamaica, November 2000
• “Conducting Workplace Investigations,” Presented at The Tenth Annual Employment Litigation Conference, Sponsored by the National Employment Lawyers Association – Georgia Affiliate, Negril, Jamaica, November 2000
• “The Prerogative of the Crown: The Path of the New Federalism,” American Bar Association Labor & Employment Section Employee Rights and Responsibilities Committee Midwinter Meeting, St. Petersburg, Florida, March 2000
• “Retention and Use of Psychologists as Experts in Emotional Damage Cases,” Submitted for Use by Atlanta Council of Younger Lawyers for Continuing Education Seminar – Working Effectively with Doctors, Atlanta, Georgia, April 2000
• “Conducting Workplace Investigations,” Lorman Education Services – Employment and Labor Law in Georgia, Athens, Georgia, January 2000
• “The Path of the New Federalism,” The Ninth Annual Employment Litigation Conference, Sponsored by the National Employment Lawyers Association – Georgia Affiliate, Negril, Jamaica, December 1999
• “The Law of Depositions: Strategy and Legal Issues in the Taking and Defense of Depositions,” Co-authored with Georgia Lord and Presented to National Employment Lawyers Association – Georgia Affiliate Monthly Meeting Participants, Spring 1999
• “Immunity Defenses and the Equal Pay Act,” The Eighth Annual Employment Litigation Conference, Sponsored by the National Employment Lawyers Association – Georgia Affiliate, Negril, Jamaica, December 1998
• “Stray Remarks and Stray Defenses: Anticipation of Defense Tactics and Strategic Planning — From the DOL to the Jury’s Charge,” The Seventh Annual Employment Litigation Conference, Sponsored by the National Employment Lawyers Association – Georgia Affiliate, Negril, Jamaica, December 1997
• “Equal Access: An International Solution to Failing Federal Law,” Submitted to and Regional Winner of Roscoe Hogan Environmental Law Competition, Spring, 1988

• “Under Pressure: Summary Judgment Standards and Compelling Case Law” National Employment Lawyers Association Georgia Affiliate, Atlanta, Georgia, February 5, 2021
• “Decision Maker Depositions” University of Georgia School of Law, JURI Number: 4990 - Employment Discrimination class, October 12, 2018
• “Political Action in the Non-Union Workplace: Employment at Will vs. the National Labor Relations Act” Moderator for ABA Section of the Labor and Employment Law’s Employment Rights and Responsibilities Committee Midwinter Meeting, Clearwater Beach, Florida, March 21, 2018
• "Examination of the Trial Notebook System in an Employment Discrimination Case" Georgia ICLE Seminar: Trying Your Best: Employment Law Goes to Court, Atlanta, Georgia, September 22, 2017
• “Gender and the Prohibition of Sexual Orientation Discrimination Under Title VII” Georgia ICLE Seminar: Let’s Talk About Sex: Gender Under Title VII, Atlanta, Georgia, December 1, 2017
• "Appeals: Persevering to Make Good Law," Moderator for Georgia ICLE Seminar: Litigating the Plaintiff's Employment Law Case, Atlanta, Georgia, September 23, 2016
• "The Equal Pay Act of 1963" PowerPoint Presentation EEOC Training Seminar, Atlanta, Georgia August 23, 2013
• "Deposition Law and Strategy" PowerPoint Presentation to Georgia Legal Services, May 4, 2012
• “The Anatomy of A Race Discrimination Case,” University of Georgia Legal Studies Department, LEGL 2800H – The Legal and Regulatory Environment of Business (Honors) class, November 9, 2011.
• “Trial and Settlement Strategies In American Litigation,” Oxford University, Trinity College, Oxford England, 2009
• Labor & Employment Law Career Opportunities, Lecture Sponsored by the ABA Labor & Employment Law Section, Law School Outreach Program, Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law, Macon, Georgia, 2009
• Labor & Employment Law Career Opportunities, Lecture Sponsored by the ABA Labor & Employment Law Section, Law School Outreach Program, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, 2009
• Labor & Employment Law Career Opportunities, Lecture Sponsored by the ABA Labor & Employment Law Section, Law School Outreach Program, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 2008
• Labor & Employment Law Career Opportunities, Lecture Sponsored by the ABA Labor & Employment Law Section, Law School Outreach Program, Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law, Macon, Georgia, 2008
• Labor & Employment Law Career Opportunities, Lecture Sponsored by the ABA Labor & Employment Law Section, Law School Outreach Program, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 2007
• “NELA-Ga Jeopardy – Category: Evidence” – Evidentiary Issues in the Litigation of Employment Cases, presentation to National Employment Lawyers Association – Georgia Affiliate, Bridgetown Grill, 2006
• “FMLA: Wisdom from the Hunters or Even Blind Hogs Find Acorns” ADA, FMLA and Workers Compensation, Navigating the Devil’s Triangle, Hyatt Regency, Atlanta, Georgia, 2006
• University of Georgia School of Law Orientation on Professionalism, Sponsored by State Bar of Georgia Committee on Professionalism, Group Leader, 2005
• “Holes, Hydraulics and Haystacks: Ten Tips on Navigating the Waters of Leadership” National Employment Lawyers Association 2003 Affiliate Leadership Workshop, Vail, Colorado, 2003
• “Deposition Techniques that Win Cases” American Bar Association Seminar: Employment Litigation Skills Training, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2003
• “Deposition Techniques that Win Cases” American Bar Association Seminar: Employment Litigation Skills Training, Charlotte, North Carolina, 2002
• “Is a Plaintiff Entitled to A Trial on the Merits: The Current Status of Summary Judgment Motions Involving Employment Discrimination Cases” American Bar Association Seminar: Basic Equal Employment Opportunity Law and Procedures, Atlanta, Georgia, 2002
• “Deposition Techniques that Win Cases” American Bar Association Seminar: Employment Litigation Skills Training, Atlanta, Georgia — Presenter and Moderator “The Plaintiff’s Employment Law Practice” Georgia State University, College of Law, Labor and Employment Law Group, 2002
• “Legal Solutions to the Economic Problem of Gender Wage Disparity,” University of Georgia, Economics Department, ALabor Economics@ ECON 4600, 2001
• “Protecting America’s Reservists: A primer on the Application of the USERRA to Reservists’ Claims of Unfair Labor Practices,” presentation to National Employment Lawyers Association – Georgia Affiliate monthly meeting participants, 2001
• “Employee Rights in the Workplace” presentation to local Hispanic workers on behalf of Athens, Georgia Catholic Social Services organization, 2001 “Persuasive Speech: Courtroom Speaking or the Tools of a Forensic Advocate” Presented to University of Georgia, Classics Department, “Ancient Rhetoric” CLAS 4230/6230, 2001
• “Trial Strategies in A Civil Action by Jonathon Harr,” University of Georgia, Department of Legal Studies, 2001
• “Motions in Limine and Pretrial Strategies,” The Tenth Annual Employment Litigation Conference, sponsored by the National Employment Lawyers Association – Georgia Affiliate, Negril, Jamaica, 2000
• “Ethical Issues in Civil Rights Litigation,” The Changing Face of Sexual Harassment Litigation, ICLE Seminar, Atlanta, Georgia, 1999
• “The Law of Depositions: Strategy and Legal Issues in the Taking and Defense of Depositions,” paper co-authored with Georgia Lord and presented to National Employment Lawyers Association – Georgia Affiliate monthly meeting participants, 1999
• “Careers in Law,” University of Georgia Career Day for English Majors, Spring 1998 and 1999
• “Jury Instructions: Preparation, Presentation and Preservation,” paper presented to National Employment Lawyers Association – Georgia Affiliate Monthly Meeting Participants, Spring 1998

• The Health Law Partnership (2008 – 2011)
• Emory Law School, and Georgia State Law School, ABA Outreach Program (2008-2009)
• American Bar Association Labor and Employment Law Section – Employee Rights and Responsibilities Committee – Administrative Co-Chair (2007 – 2010), Co- Chair (2010-2013)
• National Employment Lawyers Association - Georgia Affiliate Board Member (1999-2000, 2002-2005, 2007, 2014-2020)
• National Employment Lawyers Association - Georgia Affiliate Board President (1999-2000, 2014-2017)
• American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section, Employee Co-Chair Marketing Committee (2004 – 2009)
• American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section, Marketing Committee, LEL Flash Editor (2006 – 2009)
• National Employment Lawyers Association - Executive Board Member (2017-2020)
• College of Labor and Employment Lawyers - Credentials Committee (2017-2023)
• College of Labor and Employment Lawyers - Credentials Committee Chair (2021-2023)
• Please change the last bullet to read: Oconee Area Resource Council Board (2011-2015)
• American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section, Law School Outreach Coordinator for the University of Georgia, Mercer University-Walter F. George School of Law (2007-2009)
• Oconee Area Resource Council Board President-Elect (2011-Present)

• College of Labor and Employment Lawyers (2016 - Present)
• National Employment Lawyers Association - Georgia Affiliate (2014-2023)
• Federal Bar Association (2009-2011)
• Atlanta Bar Association (2007 – 2021)
• American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section – ERR Committee (2000-Present)
• American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section (2000-Present)
• American Civil Liberties Union (1998-2005)
• American Bar Association (1996-Present)
• National Employment Lawyers Association (1995-2023)
• Georgia Bar Association (1988-Present)
• Association of Trial Lawyers of America (2003-2006)
• Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Employment Rights Section (2004-2006)
• American Bar Fellowship (2006)
• Western Circuit of Georgia Bar Association (2000-2006, 2011-Present)
• Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity (1985-1988)

• Georgia Super Lawyer 2008-2023
• Georgia's Best Lawyers for 2013 (Employment law)
• Georgia Super Lawyer 2004-06
• Georgia Trend Legal Elite 2005