"I believe that excellent listening skills serve as a hallmark of an effective attorney. When clients come to me with an issue, we discuss in-depth what they’re looking to accomplish. If the goal is feasible, we determine how much risk they’re comfortable taking on and strategize from there. If their objective runs up against established law, we plot a path to get them as close to attainment as possible while heeding legal boundaries."

Practice Overview

With a national practice encompassing virtually every aspect of labor and employment law, John Sheffield defends and advises corporate employers in lawsuits involving claims of race, sex, disability, age, and national origin discrimination. He also handles retaliation, wage-and-hour, layoffs, and non-compete matters. His clients maintain workforces in a variety of industries and include manufacturers, retail businesses, health care providers, and information technology services.

John brings ample courtroom and trial experience to his practice, but always first looks to mitigate clients’ exposure and stave off potentially litigious issues in the first place. For example, when a client has no alternative but to terminate a problematic employee, he walks them through the process in a way that greatly reduces their chances of getting sued. By developing and presenting training sessions, John enables clients to prevent discrimination claims and lawsuits and facilitate more harmonious work environments. He also regularly conducts human resources training for supervisors and managers.

Closely monitoring the ever-changing regulatory environment governing employment practices, John keeps clients updated on new developments and helps them comply with all relevant rules and laws.

In addition to addressing clients on the legal aspects of discrimination claims, John as appeared before trade organizations ranging from local chambers of commerce to national organizations such as the American Bar Association and the American Employment Law Council.