James L. Hughes, a Principal in the firm, represents employers in all aspects of labor and employment law with particular emphasis on executive compensation, ERISA, employee benefits, employment contracts, and immigration.
Jim represents public and private companies and tax-exempt organizations in complex employment and executive compensation matters. He negotiates individual employment and severance agreements, separation and change-in-control agreements, and retention and bonus programs. He also designs, drafts and oversees retirement and welfare plans, deferred compensation and stock options.
Jim counsels companies on human resources concerns such as management training, OSHA compliance, and immigration matters including worksite enforcement. He also conducts internal employment audits.
College & Community
Jim is a magna cum laude graduate of Lambuth College and later graduated from Vanderbilt University School of Law where he was Executive Editor of the Vanderbilt Law Review. He frequently speaks on a variety of employment law issues.
He has a long history of civic involvement with a focus on initiatives to help young people succeed. He was on the Board of the Student Finance Foundation of Georgia (SFFG). Through its REACH program, SFFG provides financing through the State of Georgia to provide low-income students access to scholarships and low interest loans.
A former AAU basketball coach, he has also coached soccer and softball. He was a former director of the North American Baptist Education Foundation and now leads Bible studies at Peachtree Corners Baptist Church and in the community.
Resolving Conflict Between Religious Expression and the Civil Rights of Others
In light of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling and an announcement by the new Chair of the EEOC, we expect an emphasis in the current administration on enforcing rules against religious discrimination, particularly the right to be accommodated for religious activities that do not cause the employer undue hardship.
