R. Steve Ensor

Steve Ensor is a partner and the leader of the firm’s Labor & Employment Group.

Employers have called on Steve for more than 30 years for his aggressive and cost-efficient approach to complex labor and employment law matters. Steve handles collective litigation, tough negotiations with labor unions and other thorny issues, all with a common-sense strategy developed in line with business goals.

Steve has represented employers for over 30 years in all areas of labor and employment law, including complex employment class and collective litigation and traditional labor union matters. Steve has also excelled in leading several client teams, and has been recognized by the firm’s clients for his exceptional client service, his aggressive approach to “win-win” alternative fee arrangements, and his integration of pro bono and community service into the firm-client relationship. As a result of his efforts, Steve has been consistently recognized as a top-tier lawyer in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business and Georgia Super Lawyers.

Employers across the country rely on our lawyers to handle their most difficult legal challenges, from defending employee class and individual actions and whistleblower claims to developing and implementing strategies to minimize risk and ensure compliance with ever-changing federal, state, and local regulations.

The most important resource in your organization is people, but in an increasingly complex world, employees and prospective employees are also a source of significant risk. From pre-employment screenings to effective and lawful termination procedures and everything in between, you need the most up-to-date guidance to navigate the growing web of state and federal labor and employment regulations and defend against legal actions that may arise.

The environment facing HR departments and employers generally is like nothing that’s come before. Complaints to regulators can trigger investigations from the outside, and internal procedures can mandate reviews as well. Litigation on labor matters can be extraordinarily complex and swamp your existing legal department. Alston & Bird’s labor and employment litigators can help. Our team handles matters in state and federal courts, as well as in alternative dispute resolution pathways like negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.

Our focus is on your need for cost-efficient legal expertise to not only protect you in court, but help you develop procedures in-house that can head off litigation. Our lawyers collaborate with your team to understand your business and produce creative solutions that protect you and your employees. When litigation becomes an issue, we bring an exceptional level of insight and experience to bear, with backgrounds in individual suits, class actions, and whistleblower matters. We defend against a full spectrum of complaints, including Title VII discrimination claims, claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and Equal Pay Act (EPA). Our lawyers also prosecute claims of unfair competition, misappropriation of trade secrets, and similar issues that can damage your company’s competitiveness.

Businesses in every industry and of every size face significant challenges when it comes to labor and employment matters. Alston & Bird addresses these issues comprehensively, giving you the flexibility to focus on your business with confidence.