Paul Lancaster Adams

Notable litigation and investigations:

• Successfully tried to verdict jury trial, on behalf of large international technology company, involving allegations of employment discrimination by five-year manager and high-ranking serviceman, pursuant to the Uniformed Service Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and concerning intertwined work-performance issues, with complex business components, spanning operations in three continents.
• Successfully resolved Fortune 100 consumer product company’s most significant threat of employment discrimination (class/race) in the company’s history.
• Favorably resolved significant matter surrounding multiple issues of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and alleged conflicting violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, with broader national implications, for one of the largest food manufacturers in the world.
• Successfully resolved age discrimination class action involving major manufacturing company.
• Obtained favorable results in race discrimination class action on behalf of one the nation’s largest electronics retail store chains.
• Successfully tried to verdict multiple plaintiff Title VII sexual harassment hostile work environment and retaliation matter against clients, an international fast food chain and national franchise.
• Successful defense in significant Age Discrimination In Employment Act matter involving one of the largest public accounting firms in the world.
• Favorable results in wrongful termination, malicious prosecution and defamation matter involving intertwined facts of fraud and theft by employees of one of the largest luxury hotel groups in the United States.
• Successfully tried to verdict case involving the Family and Medical Leave Act and Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law by former facility department head against client healthcare entity.
• Editorial contributor in “Leading Companies” amicus brief in Dukes v. Wal-Mart (nation’s largest discrimination class action involving more than 1.5M members and $1B).
• Successfully settled (with no damages allocation) misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair competition matter related to specular LED technology absolving client’s damage exposure of $292M yearly.
• Investigated cross-continental whistleblower matter involving questionable business practices, associated with one of the largest data centers in the world, by industry leading vendor with annual contract of $1.2B. Findings resulted in significant operational changes and multi-million dollar reimbursements.
• Investigated whistleblower matter involving a major medical device company and its production of significant product with annual sales of $68M.
• Successfully tried to verdict multiple plaintiff gender discrimination, 14th Amendment Substantive and Procedural Due Process rights matter against client municipality, its agency and numerous directors and management personnel surrounding a fifteen year history between the parties.
• Favorably resolved Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) misclassification case involving one of the largest food manufacturers in the world.
• Successful defense of Fair Labor Standards Act matter, with national implications, involving a private corporation contracted to provide health services to a major municipality.
• Responsible for obtaining very favorable settlement in negligent hiring case involving the first reported sexual assault in the history of the largest retail mall in the United States.
• Successfully defended negligent hiring matter involving a schoolteacher’s brutal murder before a classroom of young children, which had national implications.
• Successfully tried to verdict (with $20M demand) matter, involving multiple entertainment-industry personnel, surrounding a dangerous fire stunt that went awry during a professional wrestling event severely burning fans. (Facts of incident were portrayed in a New York Times #1 best-selling autobiography which was used by plaintiffs during trial.) The clients, a world-renown entertainment group and sports entertainers, were all exonerated of any wrongdoing.

Education

• J.D., Wake Forest School of Law, 1993
• B.S., Virginia Commonwealth University, 1990

Admission to Practice

• Pennsylvania
• District of Columbia
• U.S. District Court, Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Pennsylvania
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit

• American Bar Association
• National Bar Association
• American Employment Law Council
• National Employment Law Council
• Defense Research Institute
• Philadelphia Bar Association
• Barristers Association of Philadelphia
• Member, Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region Governing Board of Directors
• Member, UNCF Leadership Council
• Past Member, National Bar Association Commercial Law Section Executive Committee Board
• Past Member, Philadelphia Young Playwrights Board
• Past Member, Jenkins Law Library Board
• Past Member, Philadelphia Prison Board

• National Bar Association Corporate Law Section Gateway to Success Conference – “General Counsel Start-Up – What Every New General Counsel of a Start-Up Should Know” – Washington, DC – March 15, 2024
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “One-On-One Interview of Tamika Tremaglio, Executive Director of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) – How to “Reimagine the Possible”: A Conversation With a Game-Changing Leader” – San Diego – May 11, 2023
• National Employment Law Council 28th Annual Conference – “Investigation Landmines: NELC Academy” – Washington, DC – May 3, 2023
• Pennsylvania Bar Association Labor & Employment Law Section Annual Retreat – “Trauma Informed Lawyering” – Hershey – March 18, 2023
• Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “Innovations in Outside Counsel and Litigation Management” – Amelia Island – November 11, 2021
• Association of Corporate Counsel Foundation (ACCF) Good to Great Lawyer’s Strategic Professional Retreat – “Post Pandemic Leadership – Integrating Empathy and Equality In Our Working World” – Miami – September 22, 2021
• Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Webinar – “Remote Work, Returning to the Workplace, and Vaccines: What Employers Need to Know” – May 26, 2021
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Virtual Conference – One-On-One Interview of Janet Dhillon, Chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – “Perspectives on the EEOC’s Monitoring and Guidance Amidst COVID-19” – May 14, 2020
• Ogletree Deakins Briefing – “Age Discrimination in Social Media Job Postings” – Philadelphia – March 11, 2020
• Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “Investigation Insights: Round 5—Ethical Considerations” – New Orleans – November 15, 2019
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Proactive and Prepared: Making Your Company Employment Litigation-Ready” – Las Vegas – May 1, 2019
• Corporate Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “Escaping the Retaliation Merry-Go-Round” – La Quinta – November 9, 2018
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “The Life of a Discrimination Claim—From Allegation Through Trial” – Phoenix – May 9, 2018
• Labor and Employment Counsel Exclusive – “You Make the Call: Ethical Dilemmas for In-House Counsel” – Boca Raton – November 10, 2017
• Major, Lindsay & Africa and Ogletree Deakins’ Inaugural Higher Education General Counsel CLE Summit – “So… you’re a General Counsel of a major College or University” – Chicago – June 16, 2017
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Preserving the Privilege When the General Counsel or Employment Counsel Wears Multiple Hats” – Chicago – May 2016
• National Employment Law Council 21st Annual Conference – “‘Moving Past Assumptions: Issues to Consider with Regards to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the Workplace” – Orlando – April 21, 2016
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Breaking Developments In Whistleblower Litigation and Enforcement” – San Antonio – May 2015
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “Breaking Developments In Whistleblower Litigation and Enforcement” – San Antonio – May 2015
• National Bar Association Commercial Litigation Section’s 27th Annual Corporate Counsel Conference – “The Power Play Within Law Firms: Feast or Famine” – Austin – February 20, 2014
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “From Iraq and Afghanistan To Your Workplace–Hiring A Vet” – New Orleans – May 2013
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “From Iraq and Afghanistan To Your Workplace–Hiring A Vet” – New Orleans – May 2013
• Association of Corporate Counsel, Delaware Valley (DELVACCA) Chapter Annual CLE – “Anatomy of an Employment Discrimination Trial” – Philadelphia – April 23, 2013
• Ultimate Software Conference – “Avoiding the Legal Traps of Miscommunicating with Employees and Customers” – Philadelphia – December 10, 2012
• National Bar Association Annual Conference – “Jeopardy in the Workplace” – Las Vegas – July 16, 2012
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “In-House Roundtable” – Phoenix – May 2012
• Ogletree Deakins Workplace Strategies Seminar – “In-House Roundtable” – Phoenix – May 2012
• 7th Annual National Black Pre-Law Conference and Law Fair, (Keynote Speaker) University of Houston – “A Recipe For Success While In Law School” – Houston – November 18, 2011
• Washington, DC Chamber of Commerce Policy Forum – “Jump Starting the DC Economy Through the Technology Industry” – Washington, DC – November 10, 2011
• Philadelphia Bar Association National Symposium on Diversity in the Legal Profession – “A Legal Update: Diversity or Discrimination?” – Philadelphia – November 8, 2011
• Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession – “The State of Diversity and Inclusion in the Metro DC Area” – Washington, D.C. – October 2011
• Minority Corporate Counsel Association’s (MCCA) Diversity Honors Gala – “Employer of Choice Award for the West Region (Presenter)” – New York – September 27, 2011
• American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Litigation Live Webinar – “Preventing and Cleaning Up After Corporate Cyber-Terrorism, Hacking, Viruses, and Other Electronic Pestilence” – July 12, 2011
• League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Annual Convention – “Microsoft’s Partnering of the Empower Hispanic America with Technology Initiative” – Cincinnati – July 1, 2011
• Defense Research Institute’s (DRI) Annual Employment and Labor Law Seminar – “Troubleshooting Advanced Labor and Employment Issues with Top In-House Practitioners” – Scottsdale – May 20, 2011
• Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) Annual CLE Expo – “Thomas L. Sager Award for the Midwest Region (Presenter)” – Chicago – March 15, 2011
• 22nd Annual National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Convention – “Meeting the Challenge: When Diversity and Inclusion is Your Responsibility” – Los Angeles – November 20, 2010
• Just The Beginning Foundation’s 9th Biennial Conference “Reaching Back, Lifting Up” – “Building Pipelines And the Legal Challenges It Creates” – Atlanta – October 1, 2010
• State Bar of Georgia Diversity Program Annual CLE and Luncheon (Keynote Speaker) – “Assuring The Progress Of Diversity In The Legal Profession During Challenging Economic Times: Microsoft’s Approach” – Atlanta – September 29, 2010
• International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) – “Searching For Solutions To The Data Explosion” – Barcelona – July 12, 2010
• DRI’s Annual Damages Seminar – “Measuring The Intangible: Creative Ways To Measure And Demonstrate Intangible Value” – Las Vegas – March 19, 2010
• American Conference Institute’s Annual Employment Discrimination Conference – “In-House Management Think Tank On Containing Costs And Optimizing Internal Policies, Practices And Documentation To Set Up, Control And Strengthen The Defense If Litigation Arises” – New York – February 25, 2010
• Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles & Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Continuing the Retention and Advancement of Women in Law Firms Conference – “Is Your Initiative Working? Tracking Diversity” – Los Angeles – November 17, 2009

• May 11, 2015 – JD Supra Business Advisor – “Philadelphia Releases Sick Leave Poster”
• April 1, 2013 – Inside the Minds: Protecting Corporations Against Management Liability Claims (2013 Edition: Aspatore Books – Thomson Reuters) – “Avoiding Management Liability Litigation (Labor and Employment) by Understanding and Complying with Key Regulations”
• February 19, 2013 – The Legal Intelligencer (ALM Media Properties) – “What Can Be Learned From the 2012 Lateral Market”
• November 1, 2012 – Inside the Minds: The Impact of Recent Regulatory Developments in Employment Law (2013 Edition: Aspatore Books – Thomson Reuters) – “Understanding New Legislation Impacting Employers And Their Attorneys”
• June 5, 2009 – DRI Diversity Insider Newsletter – “DRI’s Annual Diversity Roundtable On Corporate Legal Department’s Diversity Programming”
• April 2008 – DRI’s For The Defense – “Discrimination Based On Personal Appearance”

• September 9, 2022 – 6abc Action News – “Allentown School District teacher accused of being at January 6th riot speaks out”
• August 24, 2021 – 6abc Action News – “FDA approval of COVID vaccine may be boost of confidence for holdouts”
• April 22, 2021 – 6abc Action News – “UPenn, Drexel requiring students to be vaccinated for fall semester”: Can Employers legally require vaccines before Employees return to work?”
• June 26, 2017 – The Daily News – “Attorneys in SCS Investigation Define Structure of Probe, Seek Information”
• June 22, 2017 – The Commercial Appeal – “Tips sought in probe of Trezevant allegations”
• June 11, 2017 – Lawdragon – “Lawyer Limelight: Paul Lancaster Adams”
• September 29, 2016 – Bloomberg BNA – “Ogletree Lawyer Supports Diversity and Service to Firm and Community”
• January 2016 – Defense Research Institute’s For the Defense – Employment and Labor Law – “Champions of Diversity: Breaching the Norm – Inside the Inclusion”
• October 28, 2014 – Pennsylvania Law Weekly and The Legal Intelligencer – “Pennsylvania Verdict of the Month: 'Employer Did Not Discriminate in Firing Ex-Military Employee'”
• March 25, 2013 – Law360 – “High Court's Oxford Ruling May Devastate Class Arbitration”
• November 8, 2012 – The Legal Intelligencer – “Election Results Seen as Victory for Business of Law”
• April 24, 2012 – The Legal Intelligencer – “Roundtable Discussion – Hiring and Retention of Female Attorneys”
• November 24, 2011 – The Washington Informer – “Tech and Real Estate Could Power City's Resurgence”
• Fall 2011 – New York State Bar Association Inside – “An Overview on Litigation Management for In-House Counsel”

• Lawdragon 500 The Legends
• Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America (2022-present)
• National Bar Association, Women Lawyers Division “Renaissance Man Award” (2022)
• Benchmark Litigation “Labor and Employment Star” (2021-present)
• Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) Rainmaker (2021)
• Fellow – The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers
• Fellow – American Bar Association
• The Lawdragon 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers (2020-present)
• Lawyers of Color, Inc.’s Inaugural List of the “Nation’s Best” (2019)
• Human Resource Executive & Lawdragon Nation’s 100 Most Powerful Employment Lawyers (2017-2019)
• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Litigation – Labor and Employment (2014-2025)
• Thomson-Reuters Stand-out Lawyer (2024)
• The International Law Office and Lexology’s Client Choice Award, “Exclusive Winner for Pennsylvania” in Employment and Labor (2017, 2019)
• Philly Biz Magazine’s “Executive of the Year” (2016)
• The Legal 500: Recommended in “Labor and Employment – Labor and Employment Litigation”
• SmartCEO’s CPA&ESQ Awards winner of the “2015 Law Firm of the Year” and finalist of the “Industry Practice Attorney of the Year” (Philadelphia Region)
• Pennsylvania Super Lawyers (2015-present)
• Ethisphere® Institute’s “Attorneys Who Matter” (2014)
• National Law Journal, Top Lawyer for Pennsylvania (2013-present)
• Best Attorneys in Philadelphia by the Philadelphia Inquirer (2014-present)
• Philadelphia Business Journal’s Minority Business Leader Executive Award (2013)
• Pennsylvania Diverse Attorney of the Year by The Legal Intelligencer (2013)
• AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell (2013-present)
• National Bar Association “Clyde E. Bailey, Sr. Award for Corporate Leadership” (2009)
• “On the Verge” by American Law Media (2007)
• Pennsylvania Law Weekly and The Legal Intelligencer’s Lawyer on the Fast Track Award (2005)
• Philadelphia Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award (2002)