R. Lawrence Ashe, Jr.

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® Civil Rights Law, 2013-2023 Labor and Employment Litigation, 2011-2023 Employment Law – Management, 2011-2023 “Lawyer of the Year,” Litigation Labor and Employment, Atlanta, 2012 Listed in Chambers USA, Labor and Employment, 2013-2022; “Star Individual,” 2010-2012 Listed in Georgia Super Lawyers, 2004-2024 Listed in Georgia Trend, “Top 10 Lawyers in Georgia,” 2010-2012 Listed in Lawdragon 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers Hall of Fame, Labor & Employment – Litigation, 2022, 2024-2025 State Bar of Georgia and the Center for Civil and Human Rights, Civil Rights Milestone Honoree Award, 2015 Named one of 10 in "Nation's Most Powerful Employment Attorneys - Hall of Fame,” 2013 Anti-Defamation League's first-ever Judge Elbert Tuttle Distinguished Jurisprudence Award, 1998 College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, Fellow American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow Urban League of Greater Atlanta, Legacy Award, 2012 Lead trial counsel in some of the largest class action employment and other discrimination cases tried to date, as well as numerous individual cases. Tried to conclusion 12 major discrimination class actions, more than any other management lawyer in America. AMAE v. State of California, et al. (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc) Defended California's K-12 teacher licensing test (CBEST). The successful U.S. District Court defense was affirmed en banc by the Ninth Circuit, which held the state K-12 teacher certification test was subject to Title VII regulation, but, because it tested basic skills, sufficiently related to teaching to withstand disparate impact claims. Served as co-lead counsel for a world-renowned landscape architect in a post-settlement JAMS arbitration between the client and his former business partners, a Chinese architect and a French urban planning professional, all of whom previously operated a very successful multi-disciplinary commercial design firm in Shanghai, China. During a multi-day hearing before a London-based arbitrator, the parties presented testimony from witnesses in Europe, China and the Philippines. Following the conclusion of the arbitration, the arbitrator entered a substantial award in favor of the client, including broad injunctive relief and a seven-figure monetary judgment. The award was confirmed over objection, and the client prevailed in an appeal to the confirmation order. Defended suit by 19 plaintiffs claiming violation of constitutional and privacy rights. Addressed resolution compliance issues. Served as national employment testing and validation counsel on all relevant matters for Edison Electric Institute and its participating members in this national trade association for investor-owned electric utilities.