David A. Cole

Mr. Cole is also a leading attorney in Labor & Employment, having been recognized multiple times as a Georgia Super Lawyer and a Benchmark Litigation Labor & Employment Star. He represents businesses and local governments in all aspects of employment law and litigation, including (1) discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims under Title VII and other state and federal discrimination laws; (2) wage and hour claims and collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act; and (3) trade secret and restrictive covenant claims like non-compete, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure agreements. Mr. Cole also has extensive experience defending local governments in employment litigation under 1983 for alleged violation of public employees constitutional rights. Beyond litigation, Mr. Cole serves as outside counsel to business owners, human resources professionals, and in-house counsel on issues ranging from the preparation of personnel policies, employment contracts, arbitration agreements, and severance agreements, to advice and counseling on day-to-day employment law issues. Mr. Cole is a frequent author and speaker who has been featured on television and quoted in multiple publications for his expertise within his practice areas. He has received a number of accolades, including his selection multiple times as a Georgia Super Lawyers Rising Star, being honored as a Georgia Trailblazer by The National Law Journal for his work in the area of Data Security & Privacy Law, being selected as both a Litigation Rising Star and Labor & Employment Star by Benchmark Litigation, and being nominated as Attorney of the Year in the Zywave Cyber Risk Awards. Mr. Cole also is active in the bar and community, currently serving as Past-President of the Atlanta Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and as General Counsel and Executive Committee member of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Cole received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington, magna cum laude, with a concentration in Computer Information Systems. He then received his Juris Doctor degree from Wake Forest University School of Law, where he was a member of the National Moot Court team and Student Trial Bar, and was selected to the National Order of Barristers.