Constangy Expands Atlanta Office with Four Dynamic Additions

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Friday, October 11th, 2024

National labor and employment law firm Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP is thrilled to welcome four attorneys to their growing Atlanta office, further strengthening their team’s depth and expertise. Tiffany Harlow joins as senior counsel, while Maxwell Bernas, Timothy Boughey, and Lindsey Stewart are joining as associates. In addition to their roles in Atlanta, they will collaborate closely with partners at the firm’s Macon location, enhancing their service offerings across the region.

Tiffany Harlow is a seasoned employment litigator with extensive experience defending management against various state and federal employment law claims. She has a proven track record of litigating complex class actions involving discrimination, retaliation and harassment as well as wage and hour collective actions. Harlow is highly skilled in developing and implementing effective legal strategies that help employers navigate and mitigate potential risks in employment practices. In her role as a trusted advisor, Harlow counsels clients on litigation avoidance and assists in the proactive establishment of sound employment policies. Her experience includes handling internal investigations, responding to EEOC inquiries, and defending employers in high-stakes litigation. Throughout her career, Harlow has demonstrated a commitment to providing strategic legal guidance that aligns with her clients' business objectives 

Maxwell Bernas is a labor and employment litigator who represents management in a range of employment law matters, including discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour claims, pay equity, and disability accommodations. With extensive experience in both state and federal courts, Bernas routinely defends employers in administrative actions, investigations, and litigation. Bernas also has a focus in the area of traditional labor law, assisting clients in a variety of matters including responses to unfair labor practice charges before the National Labor Relations Board, interpreting the terms of collective bargaining agreements, and preparing post-arbitration briefs. His practice includes advising employers on compliance strategies to reduce risk and avoid litigation. Bernas routinely assists clients in drafting employee handbooks, leave policies, severance agreements, and other employment contracts. His extensive litigation background allows him to collaborate with clients to develop best practices to minimize business interruptions. He also advises clients on termination, employee performance, accommodation requests, and reductions in force. When workplace complaints arise, Bernas leads internal investigations to identify potential risk and enact formulated steps to prevent future conflicts. Bernas has also been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® "Ones to Watch" for Labor and Employment Law - Management, and Litigation - Labor and Employment (2024-2025). 

Timothy Boughey is a labor and employment attorney with extensive experience representing clients in litigation and counseling in employment and workplace matters. He has managed all phases of employment litigation in both single-plaintiff and class and collective actions, handling wage and hour claims, employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and violations of non-compete and confidentiality agreements. Boughey represents employers in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies such as the EEOC, DOL, and NLRB. His practice also includes advising employers on compliance with federal and state labor and employment laws, including Title VII, ADA, Rehabilitation Act, FMLA, ADEA, GINA, NLRA, WARN, and FLSA. Boughey conducts compliance audits, drafts employee handbooks, and guides employers on discipline and termination decisions. He also presents training programs for supervisors, HR professionals, and employees on best employment practices, helping to fulfill compliance requirements. In addition to his counseling work, Boughey also manages internal investigations in response to workplace complaints and policy violations. Ensuring a thorough and fair process, he conducts witness interviews, drafts detailed reports, and advises on policy changes and trainings to address gaps that may help prevent future issues. Boughey has been recognized for his work by The Best Lawyers in America® "Ones to Watch" for Labor and Employment Law – Management (2021-2024) and named a “Rising Star” by Georgia Super Lawyers® (2023). 

Lindsey Stewart focuses on representing employers, insurers, and self-insured organizations in workers' compensation defense cases, handling everything from initial claims to final resolution. Her work involves preparing and responding to discovery requests, motions, briefs, and various filings with the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation. Stewart is skilled in taking depositions and provides clients with detailed summaries that highlight key points and offer actionable defense strategies. She has a strong ability to review and interpret medical records, which helps her accurately evaluate the nature of injuries, estimate claim values, and make informed recommendations for settlements, always aiming to minimize risk for her clients. Stewart also independently negotiates settlements to resolve claims as economically and efficiently as possible. In addition, she is experienced in alternative dispute resolution methods, including both private and Board mediations. She also collaborates with medical professionals to gather expert medical opinions on injury-relatedness and causes. Stewart provides down-to-earth advice to employers and insurers and answers questions on the status of claims and defense strategies, ensuring clients understand and are prepared for each step of the litigation process.