Fred W. Suggs, Jr.
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Recognized since 2003
Greenville, South Carolina
Practice Areas
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Employment Law - Management
Labor Law - Management
Litigation - ERISA
Litigation - Labor and Employment
Fred Suggs is a certified specialist in labor and employment law by the South Carolina Supreme Court. He 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, and Chairman of the House of Delegates.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.
Contact & Links
- Direct Phone Number: 864-271-1300
- Phone Number: 864-271-1300
- Lawyer Page: https://ogletree.com/people/fred-w-suggs-jr/
Location
- The Ogletree Building
300 North Main Street
Greenville, SC 29601
Education
- The University of Alabama, J.D., graduated 1975
- Kansas State University, BS, graduated 1970
Bar Admissions
- Alabama, Alabama State Bar Association
- Florida, The Florida Bar
- South Carolina, South Carolina Bar
Affiliations
- Alabama Bar Association - Member
- American Bar Association - Member
- College of Labor and Employment Lawyers - Fellow
- Florida Bar Association - Member
- Greenville Chamber of Commerce - Member Manufacturer’s Council
- GSHRM - Member
- SHRM - Member
Headquarters:
Atlanta, Georgia
308 The Best Lawyers in America® awards
97 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Litigation - Labor and Employment, Greenville (2020)
- Labor Law - Management, Greenville (2016)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
- Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
- Employment Law - Management
- Labor Law - Management
- Litigation - ERISA
- Litigation - Labor and Employment
Special Focus:
- Class Actions
- Defense
- Discrimination
- Harassment
- Management
- National Labor Relations Board
Awards:
- South Carolina Super Lawyer (2013)
- 2013 Distinguished Lawyer Award, South Carolina Bar Employment & Labor Law Section
- 2013 Client Service All-Star, BTI Consulting Group
- Chambers Band One (2005 to date)
Publications
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