Fred Suggs is a founding lawyer of Ogletree Deakins, having been with the firm since its inception. Mr. Suggs helps companies avoid work-related legal exposure by giving preventive advice and providing training for managers at client locations. Mr. Suggs speaks regularly at employment law conferences, Bar Programs for other lawyers, Association of Corporate Council Meetings, SHRM Conferences for Human Resources Professionals, and at workshops and seminars sponsored by the firm.
Mr. Suggs has wide experience in labor and employment law. He began defending across-the-board class actions in 1976, and has since handled a number of class complaints alleging discrimination based on race, color, sex, and age. Mr. Suggs has defended countless individual claims of discrimination before government agencies and state and federal courts. He has also litigated claims arising under restrictive covenants, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the FMLA, and common law torts and contracts..
Mr. Suggs’ experience in union campaigns began with the ACTWU’s assault on J.P. Stevens in the late 1970s. He has advised many companies on the rights and responsibilities of management during card signing activity, and after petitions for elections have been filed.
Mr. Suggs has served the South Carolina Bar in many positions, including President, from 2009 to 2010. He has been Chairman of the Labor and Employment Section, Chairman of the Professional Responsibility Committee, Chairman of the House of Delegates, and Chairman of the Bar’s Pro Bono Board.
Mr. Suggs was certified by The Supreme Court of South Carolina as a Specialist in Employment and Labor Law from 1987 until 2022. He is also a certified civil court mediator.
Mr. Suggs has served his community by Chairing the Board of the Metropolitan YMCA, being General Counsel of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, and Counsel to the Staff Parish Relations Committee at Buncombe Street United Methodist Church.
