Overview

Eric Stevens provides his clients a common-sense approach to employment, representing employers in administrative investigations, employment litigation, and labor relations matters with a focus in the healthcare and financial institution industries. He represents both union and non-union employers in:

  • Single-plaintiff and class-action claims under anti-discrimination laws
  • Defense of whistleblower and retaliation claims
  • Collective litigation involving federal and state wage and hour laws
  • Contract negotiations
  • Arbitration
  • Successful union-free election campaigns
  • Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs audits
  • Department of Labor investigations
  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health (TOSHA) investigations

Eric also assists clients with compliance and litigation avoidance by:

  • Conducting in-house training for supervisory and management-level employees
  • Providing guidance in the development of affirmative action plans
  • Preparing and implementing a full range of employment policies

Eric is a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 listed civil mediator with nearly 40 years of employment and general civil litigation experience. Eric regularly speaks to industry groups and business roundtables on new developments in the law and issues that can directly affect their operations. He also provides discrimination and harassment training for various governmental agencies.

Professional & Community Affiliations

Rule 31 Civil Mediator

Tennessee Supreme Court

Member

American Bar Association

Member

Nashville Bar Association

Member

Tennessee Bar Association

Member

Georgia Bar Association

Member

American Health Lawyers Association

Member

Society for Human Resource Management

Board of Directors

(Chair 2013-2015)

The Davis House, A Child Advocacy Center

Recognition

Named, The Best Lawyers in America®

2007-2025

Ranked, Labor & Employment

Chambers USA

2003-2006, 2012-2024

Named, Super Lawyer

Super Lawyers

2013-2015

Awarded, AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating

Martindale-Hubbell

Named, Top Labor and Employment Attorneys

HR Professionals Magazine

2015

News, Analysis & Press

Preparing for 2018

The Tennessee Banker

January 1, 2017

Managing Employees in the Era of Transparency

Nashville Business Journal

February 24, 2016

Layoffs and Litigation

Human Resource Executive Online

March 26, 2014

A Risky Reduction in Force

Human Resource Executive Online

October 28, 2013

Mixed Prospects for POWADA

Human Resource Executive Online

August 15, 2013

Lost in Translation

Human Resource Executive Online

November 1, 2012

Not-So-Private Investigations

Human Resource Executive Online

August 28, 2012

Workplace investigations could become more public

Nashville Business Journal

August 10, 2012

Speaking Engagements

More Than Just Puppy Love: Accommodating Service Animal Issues in the Workplace

Nashville, TN

February 14, 2020

Responding to Workplace Violence: What Would You Do?

Nashville, TN

July 30, 2019

Breaking Up Is Hard to Do | Managing Challenges that Arise When the Employment Relationship Ends

Nashville, TN

February 14, 2019

Top 10 Handbook Policies

2017 Tennessee SHRM State Conference, Nashville, TN

October 4, 2017

Bullying and Harassment in the Modern Workplace: The Developing Intersection Between Employment Law and Employee Behavior

Middle Tennessee SHRM Nashville, TN

June 20, 2017

Update Your Status: Current Legal Risks Related to Social Media in the Workplace

Nashville, TN

June 8, 2017

HR/Employment Law Issues

United Methodist Church Conference Chancellors Association Chicago, IL

October 1, 2016

Employment Law Hot Topics

Farm Bureau A3 Conference - Administrators, Attorneys & Accounting Professionals, Nashville, TN

September 7, 2016

Challenges Facing Employers Based on EEOC’s Current Priorities

Tennessee Bankers Association Senior Human Resources Director Forum, Nashville, TN

August 11, 2016

Healthcare Industry Roundtable

The 2016 Executive Employer® Conference, Scottsdale, AZ

May 6, 2016

2016 Whistleblowing Update

April 7, 2016

Forecasting 2016: Essential Insight on a New Year of Labor & Employment Law Developments

Nashville, TN

February 18, 2016

Weapons in the Workplace

Middle Tennessee SHRM, Nashville, TN

February 16, 2016

Working from Home in All Its Dimensions

Middle Tennessee SHRM Annual HR Conference, Nashville, TN

October 16, 2015

Conducting Lawful Investigations in the Current Whistleblower Environment

Tennessee SHRM State Convention, Chattanooga, TN

October 8, 2015

Legal Issues Facing the Healthcare Industry

Tennessee Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration State Conference, Nashville, TN

August 28, 2015

2015 Southeast Employer Conference

Atlanta, GA

August 20, 2015

DOL’s Proposed Changes to the White Collar Regulations: What Should Employers Do Now?

Nashville, TN

July 21, 2015

Addressing Human Resources Issues in Home Care

2015 Financial Management Conference - National Association for Home Care & Hospice, Nashville, TN

June 28, 2015

OFCCP Roundup

Nashville, TN

May 12, 2015

The Toxic Employee

Tennessee Banker’s Association State Human Resources Conference, Murfreesboro, TN

March 24, 2015

2014 Year in Review and What to Expect in 2015

Nashville, TN

February 24, 2015

Conducting Lawful Investigations: An Interactive Program for Internal Investigators

Nashville, TN

October 8, 2014

The Toxic Employee

Employment Law Seminar - Tennessee Human Rights Commission (THRC)

June 12, 2014

Top Ten FMLA Mistakes and Suggested Business Practices

Nashville, TN

May 13, 2014

ADA Accommodations

Nashville, TN

October 24, 2013

Employment Law Update

Nashville, TN

May 21, 2013

Progressive Leadership: Management Styles that empower employees instead of deflating them

Annual Winter Meeting - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

December 6, 2012

The Toxic Employee

Nashville, TN

October 29, 2012

The Toxic Employee

Nashville, TN

May 3, 2012

Education

  • J.D., Vanderbilt University Law School, 1983

Bar Admission

Tennessee
Georgia

Courts

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Tennessee
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Tennessee
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
  • Tennessee Supreme Court
  • Tennessee Court of Appeals