Overview

James Fielding advises and represents clients in a variety of labor and employment matters. His experience includes defending employers against complex class actions alleging breaches of ERISA fiduciary duties with respect to the management of both defined contribution and defined benefit plans. He has also represented businesses facing ERISA denial of benefits claims before federal courts at the district and circuit level.

Outside of ERISA cases, James helps employers comply with state and federal workplace safety requirements. He helps employers appeal citations alleging serious workplace safety violations. He has also assisted employers draft and enforce noncompete agreements, recover funds misappropriated by former fiduciaries, defend against allegations of workplace discrimination, and formulate name, image, and likeness endorsement agreements with college athletes that comply with state law and NCAA requirements.

Additionally, James has experience representing employers in complex wage and hour collective actions. He also helps employers navigate wage and hour regulations outside the courtroom by conducting internal audits to ensure compliance with wage and hour regulations, and by guiding clients through audits initiated by federal regulatory agencies.

Prior to joining Littler, James practiced at a national general practice firm. While in law school, James interned for Hon. William M. Ray, II at the Court of Appeals of Georgia and for an Administrative Law Judge at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Professional & Community Affiliations

Member

Columbus State University

Pi Kappa Alpha

Member

Columbus State University

Order of Omega

Member

Emory University School of Law and Columbus State University

Phi Alpha Delta

Recognition

Order of the Coif

Phi Kappa Phi

Columbus State University

Phi Alpha Delta Society of Scholars

Recipient, Award for Outstanding Performance in Employment Law Courses

Employment Law Section

State Bar of Georgia

Recipient, Edward J. Henning Memorial Ward

Three-Time Recipient, Ohio Valley Conference Academic Medal of Honor

Speaking Engagements

Don’t Be the 401(k) Fiduciary With a Multimillion Dollar Settlement—Lessons from ERISA Class Actions

Littler Executive Employer Conference, Phoenix, AZ

May 12, 2023

Don’t Be The 401(k) Fiduciary with a Multi-Million Dollar Settlement - Learning from Recent ERISA Class Actions

Littler Executive Employer Conference, Phoenix, AZ

May 11, 2023

COVID-19 and the New Landscape of Employment Law

Emory Law Employment & Labor Law Practice Society

April 23, 2020

Education

  • J.D., Emory University School of Law, 2019
  • B.S., Columbus State University, 2016

Bar Admission

Georgia

Courts

  • Georgia Court of Appeals
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia