Stephen E. Brown

Steve Brown is a seasoned Labor and Employment law attorney who represents, defends, and counsels management and employers in all aspects of labor and employment law. His extensive experience includes drafting and enforcing employment contracts and defending against claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other employment law issues, including class and collective actions. He is well-versed in traditional labor law, advising management on maintaining a union-free workforce, handling unfair labor practice charges, collective bargaining, labor arbitrations, strikes, and other labor disputes. Steve also advises clients on emerging employment law issues such as employee arbitration agreements, non-compete agreements, management and employee training, and affirmative action and workplace diversity.

A skilled litigator and trial attorney, Steve has handled all areas of dispute resolution, including state and federal court trials, arbitrations, administrative litigation, and mediation. He has defended numerous cases involving discrimination and harassment, wage and hour disputes, class and collective actions, wrongful termination, breach of contract, workers’ compensation retaliation, and OSHA actions. He has also prosecuted and defended unfair competition claims, including misappropriation of trade secrets, employee raiding, and customer solicitation. Steve frequently practices before state and federal agencies such as the EEOC, NLRB, and OSHA, as well as in state and federal courts and private arbitrations.

In 2002, Steve was inducted as a Fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. He is a member of the Dartmouth Lawyers Association and previously served as Dartmouth's Enrollment Director for Alabama. Steve has chaired both the Labor and Employment Section and the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Alabama Bar Association, served on the Executive Committee of the Birmingham Bar Association twice, and participated in numerous other Bar committees. He is a Fellow and Charter Member of the Atticus Finch Society and a Fellow of both the American and Alabama Law Foundation.

Steve currently serves on the Board of Directors of Children's Village and has previously served on the Leadership and Advisory Committees of the Alabama Multiple Sclerosis Society and as Co-chair of the Jail Bail for Heart, American Heart Association, Birmingham Chapter.

Community & Professional

• Member, Labor and Employment Law Section and Litigation Section, American Bar Association
• Fellow, American Bar Foundation
• Fellow, Alabama Bar Foundation
• Fellow, College of Labor and Employment Attorneys
• Member, Alabama State Bar Association
  • Past Chair and Executive Committee member, Labor and Employment Law Section (1984-1985)
  • Past Chair, Worker's Compensation Section (1994-1995)
• Member, Business Council of Alabama
• Member, Birmingham Bar Association
  • Past Member, Executive Committee (1982; 1989-1991)
  • Past President, Young Lawyers Section (1982)
• President and Board Member, Children's Village
• Administrative Board Member/Chair of the Visitor Outreach Program, Trinity United Methodist Church

• Successful defense of a worldwide manufacturer in a 10,000-plaintiff nationwide class action
• Successful defense of a large aircraft maintenance company in a 36-plaintiff hostile environment claim
• Successful resolution of a 10,000-plaintiff wage and hour class/collective action for a major financial and investment firm client
• Successful resolution of a 600-plaintiff wage and hour class/collective action for another financial industry client
• Successful defense of a large housing manufacturer in a multi-plaintiff wage and hour case
• Provided effective management training to two major automotive manufacturers regarding union organizing efforts and legal compliance
• Successful defense of a large national metal processing and manufacturing company in numerous suits alleging discrimination, fraud, outrage and/or harassment
• Successful defense of a major resort hotel in numerous charges and suits alleging discrimination, retaliation and/or harassment and the successful resolution of a 500-plaintiff wage and hour class/collective action for that same client

Recognition

• Chambers USA Guide to "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" for Labor and Employment (2003-2024)
• Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent Lawyers
• Best Lawyers in America® (1987-Present)
• Birmingham Magazine "Top Attorneys" (2016)
• Mid-South Super Lawyers (2008-2021)
• Super Lawyers "Top 50 Lawyers in Alabama" (2008-2021)
• Super Lawyers "Top 50 Lawyers in Birmingham" (2018-2021)
• Benchmark Litigation "South Region L&E Stars" List, Labor and Employment Law (2019)