ATLANTA (December 20, 2023) – Barnes & Thornburg has announced today the addition of Leslie K. Eason as a partner in the firm’s Labor and Employment Department, closely following the arrival of executive compensation partner Brittany McCants.
With over 20 years of experience in management-side employment litigation and counseling, Eason focuses her practice on developing tailored, effective strategies for diverse and complex employment challenges. Eason’s litigation experience covers virtually all facets of federal and state employment law and spans the entire case cycle from early resolution, mediation, discovery and dispositive motions to trial and appeal. Eason has litigated complex, multi-plaintiff, collective action, and class action cases and has initiated and defended claims involving breach of restrictive covenants.
“Leslie has a dynamic practice offering – clients can lean on her extensive trial experience and proactive counseling to avoid future litigation,” said Kenneth J. Yerkes, chair of the firm’s Labor and Employment Department. “We are thrilled to welcome Leslie to our growing bench of litigators in the labor and employment practice.”
In addition to her litigation experience, Eason frequently counsels employers on employment-related business operations, including developing and implementing policies and procedures, managing benefits, training staff and supervisors, conducting workplace investigations, as well as providing practical advice on hiring practices, terminations, reductions in workforce, and litigation avoidance strategies. Eason also often speaks on developments in employment law, creative resolution techniques, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) issues.
Eason joins the Atlanta office shortly after veteran collegiate athletics attorney Daniel Cohen’s arrival. Prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg, Eason was a co-managing partner of an AmLaw 20 firm’s Atlanta office and leader of its Birmingham, AL, and Jackson, MS, offices. Eason also served as general counsel for a U.S. manufacturer with international operations before returning to private practice.
“Leslie’s experience and skillset will be an excellent complement to our rapidly growing Atlanta team,” said John T.L. Koenig, managing partner of the Atlanta office. “It is exciting to add sought-after and skilled attorneys like Leslie. As economic development continues to expand in Georgia, employers will need the experienced counsel and representation that Leslie brings to the table.”
Eason earned her J.D. from University of Georgia School of Law, cum laude, and her B.S. from Vanderbilt University.
