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Geoffrey is a Member with Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell, P.L.C., and has been associated with the Firm since receiving his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 2001. Geoffrey concentrates his practice in the areas of labor and employment law (representing employers only), governmental entity law, and civil rights litigation. His labor and employment law practice includes advising employers on issues concerning all areas of labor, employment, and human resource concerns, including law such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the National Labor Relations Act, and other laws applicable to employers. Geoffrey also litigates labor and employment claims for employers. He also has experience representing counties and municipalities, including defending police departments and municipalities in 42 U.S.C. § 1983 litigation. Geoffrey frequently speaks to attorneys and HR professionals at educational conferences and seminars on labor and employment issues. He is a member of the Firm’s Labor, Employment & Governmental Law Practice Group.

   

• Allen v. Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia, Inc., 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 189966 (M.D. Tenn. 2022)
• BlueCross BlueShield of Tenn. v. Dunwoody Labs, Inc., Progressive Hospital Group, Inc., and Decatur County General Hospital, 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 249431 (E.D. Tenn. 2021);
• Terry v. Jackson-Madison County Hospital District, 572 S.W.3d 614 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2018);
• Jones v. Jackson-Madison County Hospital District, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 94831 (W.D. Tenn. 2013);
• Cooper v. Jackson-Madison County Hospital District, 742 F. Supp. 2d 941 (W.D. Tenn. 2010);
• Sain v. City of Jackon, Tennessee, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 116435 (W.D. Tenn. 2010);
• Conner v. City of Jackson, Tennessee, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 48739 (W.D. Tenn. 2010);
• Hullom v. City of Jackson, Tennessee, 620 F.Supp.2d 895 (W.D. Tenn. 2009);
• Conner v. City of Jackson, Tennessee, 669 F. Supp.2d 886 (W.D. Tenn. 2009).

• November 2, 2023: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference, “Premiering: AI in the Workplace”
• November 2, 2023: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference, “Case Studies in Employment Law”
• Facing the Music: Is Equal Opportunity Harassment in the Workplace Illegal?, HR Professionals Magazine, Volume 13: Issue 9, September 2023
• May 10, 2023: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference, “In the Weeds: FLSA Pitfalls to Avoid”
• May 10, 2023: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference, “Case Studies in Employment Law”
• November 16, 2022: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference, “Screening & Hiring Employees: Legal Dos and Don’ts”
• November 16, 2022: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference, “Case Studies in Employment Law”
• Can an Employer Discipline an Employee for Sleepwalking, HR Professionals Magazine, Volume 12: Issue 9, September 2022
• May 24, 2022: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference, “Beyond the Reef: Conducting Internal Investigations”
• May 24, 2022: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference, “Case Studies in Employment Law”
• November 2, 2021: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference, “Rough Seas Ahead! Workplace Bullying, harassment, and Hostile Work Environment”
• November 2, 2021: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference, “Case Studies in Employment Law”
• May 20, 2021: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference, “Winning the FMLA Race”
• May 20, 2021: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference, “Case Studies in Employment Law”
• What Employers Need to Understand About the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, HR Professionals Magazine, Vol. 11: Issue 5, May 2021
• May 20, 2021: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference, “Case Studies in Employment Law”
• May 20, 2021: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference, “Winning the FMLA Race”
• April 21, 2021: TBA Corporate Counsel Spring Forum, “The Times They are a Changing: Labor & Employment Law Under the Biden Administration”
• October 23, 2020: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference, “Case Studies in Employment Law”
• Changes to the FFCRA Emergency Paid Sick Leave, HR Professionals Magazine, Vol. 10: Issue 9, September 2020
• November 14, 2019:: Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association Webinar, “Employment Law Update”
• November 5, 2019: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference, “Case Studies in Employment Law”
• November 5, 2019: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference, “Working as a Team: FMLA Strategies”
• October 22, 2019: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Chapter Meeting: FLSA Salary Level Test Update-Are We Finally Done
• Does Free Speech Exist in the American Workplace? HR Professionals Magazine, Vol. 9: Issue 5, May 2019
• May 1, 2019: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference, “Case Studies in Employment Law” and “HR in Film”
• May 1, 2019: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference, “HR in Film”
• December 5, 2018: Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association Webinar, “Employment Law Update”
• November 7, 2018: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference, “Case Studies in Employment Law”
• November 7, 2018: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference, “Dealing with Employees on Leave”
• Are Class Waivers in Employment Arbitration Agreements Enforceable? The Supreme Court says Yes, but Employers Should Carefully Consider Their Usage, HR Professionals Magazine, Vol. 8: Issue 7, July 2018
• May 2, 2018: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference, “Case Studies in Employment Law”
• May 2, 2018: West TN Society for Human Resources Management Employment Law Conference, “Legal Aspects of Employee Discipline and Investigations”

The Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law - Management & Municipal Law (2024); Rising Star, Employment Litigation Defense, Law & Politics Mid-South Super Lawyers (2009); Graduate of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy’s Trial Advocacy Skills Program (2008)

University School of Jackson, Board of Trustees (2014-24), Board of Trustees Chair (2022-24)

Practice Areas

Commercial Litigation
Insurance Defense
Labor & Employment
Local Government

Education

Union University, B.A., 1998

University of Tennessee College of Law, J.D., 2001

Bar Admissions

Tennessee Supreme Court (2001)

United States District Courts - Eastern District of Tennessee (2017)

Middle District of Tennessee (2008)

Wester District of Tennessee (2001)

United States Courts of Appeals - Sixth Circuit (2002)

Interests

University of Tennessee Journal of Business Law – Associate Editor (2000)

Organizations

Tennessee Bar Association
Jackson-Madison County Bar Association
Defense Research Institute