Stephen Sutton dedicates his practice to assisting employers in resolving employment law issues. Mr. Sutton has wide-ranging civil litigation experience in complex, multi-plaintiff employment discrimination and wrongful discharge lawsuits, representing clients in the technology, transportation, financial services and insurance brokerage industries.
Mr. Sutton has successfully represented employers before federal and state courts, administrative agencies and labor and employment arbitrators in all facets of employment law in matters ranging from age, race, gender and disability discrimination to harassment issues. In addition to his successful trial court experience, he has obtained favorable results for employers in state and federal courts of appeal.
Mr. Sutton has been named a “Leading Lawyer” in employment law by Chambers & Partners (2008 to present). In 2009, the publication described him as being “impressive in his oral presentations and in his knowledge of the law; he is a great negotiator with a photographic memory.” He has also been recognized in Best Lawyers in America and as an “Ohio Super Lawyer” for employment and labor law since 2008. In addition, Mr. Sutton has been designated a Master Bencher by the Cleveland Employment Inns of Court, where he currently serves as the organization’s president.
Mr. Sutton advises employers on a variety of day-to-day issues that confront management. These include the management of employee issues related to the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal and state antidiscrimination laws. He also assists employers in developing employment agreements and policies and advises employers on employee termination issues, including the preparation of separation agreements and reductions in force.
Mr. Sutton provides management training to clients on a number of topics, including discrimination and harassment. In addition, he conducts proactive counseling, including company audits designed to minimize the impact of discrimination claims.
Mr. Sutton’s practice encompasses noncompete and trade secrets matters. He provides counsel on employee recruitment and departure issues, including those arising from transactions and business acquisitions or sales. He also represents employers in affirmative and defensive litigation regarding claims for violation of noncompetition and employment agreements, misappropriation of trade secrets and other unfair competition tactics.
Mr. Sutton is a frequent speaker on the area of employment law. He has recently given presentations concerning the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, employee privacy and Internet use and employee hiring and termination issues. Some of his presentations include:
Mr. Sutton is a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan and Ohio State Bar Associations, including their Labor and Employment Sections. He also serves on the board of trustees for the Beck Center for the Arts.
12/31/2011 - 2011 Super Lawyers Announced
12/23/2011 - Reminder for New York Employers: Annual Notice To Employees Under The Wage Theft Prevention Act Must Be Distributed Between January 1, 2012 and February 1, 2012
11/1/2011 - “Best Lawyers in America” Recognizes 111 Baker Hostetler Attorneys