Paul A. Ross

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  • Overview
  • Experience
  • Honors & Involvement
Bio overview

Paul Ross is a trial lawyer whose primary practice involves the representation of employers in labor and employment disputes. His experience includes first-chair management of discrimination, retaliation and wrongful discharge matters in both federal and state courts, trial and appellate, as well as in arbitration and before governmental agencies. He routinely represents employers in a wide variety of matters, including claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act and other federal and state laws governing employers.

Paul also provides training and on-demand advice to employers regarding litigation avoidance and assists in day-to-day planning and decision-making, discrimination and harassment investigations, development of policies and procedures, employment contracts, non-competition and confidentiality agreements, reductions-in-force, and alternatives to reductions-in-force. His diverse client base includes municipalities and nonprofit organizations as well as companies engaged in a broad range of industries, including manufacturing, distribution, energy, telecommunications, retail and business services.

Paul previously served as leader of the firm’s Labor and Employment Group, one of the largest of its kind in the region. He is a highly regarded speaker on issues in employment law, regularly addressing various human resource groups and management-level employees, and is an editor and contributing author to the Oklahoma Employment Law Letter. He has also provided training to other Oklahoma lawyers on employment law topics through the Oklahoma Bar Association’s Law of the Workplace program in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

In 2011, Paul was appointed to serve as an administrative law judge for the Oklahoma Department of Labor.

Outside of the labor and employment arena, Paul’s experience includes representation of business clients in a variety of complex commercial disputes. He has actively participated in litigation surrounding commercial contracts and business relationships, as well as shareholder derivative claims and toxic mold exposure. He also actively represents Oklahoma Native American tribes with respect to gaming and other regulatory issues with the federal government.

Paul’s achievements have earned him inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (employment law – management; labor law – management; labor and employment litigation) and Oklahoma Super Lawyers.

Prior to embarking on his legal career, Paul taught mathematics at Edmond Santa Fe High School in Edmond, Oklahoma. He also supervised a 100+ member customer service staff at one of the nation’s largest mortgage servicing companies.

Paul and his wife Tristi are the proud parents of two daughters and one son.

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Experience, Honors, & Awards

Representative Experience

  • Managed the defense of a national manufacturing and service center in a lawsuit alleging discrimination on the basis of age, religion, disability and workers’ compensation retaliation. Paul achieved a victory for the client without the need for trial with a successful motion for summary judgment.
  • Successfully defended a national telecommunications company in multi-plaintiff age discrimination and retaliation litigation in federal court.
  • Successfully managed and negotiated resolution of shareholder derivative suit against publicly traded construction company.
  • Successfully resolved female-on-male harassment litigation against an international waste management company.
  • Successfully resolved fraud and negligent construction action on behalf of homeowners exposed to toxic mold.
  • Managed the defense of a national retail distribution company in a lawsuit involving claims of disability discrimination and workers’ compensation retaliation.
  • Secured early dismissal with prejudice on behalf of a small local construction company facing race discrimination allegations.
  • Received defense verdict in favor of a local municipality before the personnel review board validating the termination of a high-ranking city official.
  • Multiple successful appeals before the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission regarding unemployment compensation benefit awards.

 

Honors and Awards

  • Named a “Labor & Employment Star – South” by Benchmark Litigation
  • Selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (employment law — management; labor law — management; labor and employment litigation)
  • Listed in Oklahoma Super Lawyers

Professional Organizations and Memberships

  • Oklahoma County Bar Association
  • Oklahoma Bar Association

 

ATPs display in this column

At The Podium

Top Gun: Restrictive Covenants and Retaining “the Best of the Best”

EmployerLINC23: HR in Reel Life
Oklahoma City, OK | March 29, 2023

Employment Compliance Strategies for a Changing Workforce

2022 Corporate Counsel Seminar
Oklahoma City, OK | December 8, 2022

Navigating the Challenges of Intersecting Employee Leave Laws

EmployerLINC22
Tulsa, OK | March 23, 2022

Navigating the Challenges of Intersecting Employee Leave Laws

EmployerLINC22
Oklahoma City, OK | March 22, 2022

The Continuing and Lingering Impact of COVID-19 in the Workplace

2021 Corporate Counsel Seminar
Oklahoma City, OK | December 2, 2021

Wage and Hour Hot Spots of Compliance

EmployerLINC21
Online | March 10, 2021

COVID-19: The Pandemic’s Impact on ADA/FMLA Claims and Complying with the FFCRA

OELA 2020 Employment Law Seminar
Oklahoma City, OK | December 4, 2020

COVID-19 Employment, Finance and Regulatory Issues

Federal Bar Association - Oklahoma City Chapter Virtual CLE
Online | May 21, 2020

Tele-Town Hall: HR/Funding/Business Issues Forum

Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce
Conference Call | March 24, 2020

2020 Employment Law Outlook

Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies' 2020 Spring Conference
Oklahoma City, OK | March 5, 2020

Medical Marijuana in 2019: Rights and Responsibilities of Employers

2019 Oklahoma Hospital Association Annual Convention
Oklahoma City, OK | November 13, 2019

Medical Marijuana in 2019: Rights and Responsibilities of Oklahoma Colleges and Universities

2019 Oklahoma CUPA-HR Annual Conference
Oklahoma State University Campus | October 24, 2019

The Changing Landscape of Wage and Hour Regulations at the U.S. Department of Labor

Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce's Elevate Conference 2019
Oklahoma City, OK | October 23, 2019

Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act

OBA 2019 Labor & Employment Law Update CLE
Oklahoma City, OK | October 4, 2019

Oklahoma Employment Law Update

2019 Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies (OKACAA) Annual Conference
Oklahoma City, OK | September 19, 2019

Medical Marijuana and the Employee Relationship

Oklahoma Rural Health Association
Norman, OK | May 30, 2019

Medical Marijuana: Maintaining a safe workplace

McAfee & Taft Webinar Series
Online | May 15, 2019

Clear and Present Danger: Preparing for litigation

EmployerLINC19
Tulsa, OK | April 4, 2019

Clear and Present Danger: Preparing for litigation

EmployerLINC19
Oklahoma City, OK | April 3, 2019

ICYMI: 2018 Employment and Labor Law Update

2018 Corporate Counsel Seminar
Oklahoma City, OK | December 6, 2018

What Hospital Administrators Need to Know to Implement Oklahoma Legalization of Medical Marijuana

Oklahoma Hospital Association
Oklahoma City, OK | November 28, 2018

Medical Marijuana: An Action Plan for Oklahoma Employers

State Chamber of Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, OK | September 24, 2018

Medical Marijuana: Next steps for Oklahoma employers

AGC of Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, OK | July 20, 2018

Medical Marijuana: An Action Plan for Employers

McAfee & Taft Webinar Series
Online | July 19, 2018

Battling Sexual Harassment Claims in the Court of Legal Opinion and Court of Public Opinion

EmployerLINC18: Workplace Issues in the News
Tulsa, OK | March 29, 2018

#MeToo in the O.R.

Healthcare Headlines Seminar
Tulsa, OK | March 29, 2018

Battling Sexual Harassment Claims in the Court of Legal Opinion and Court of Public Opinion

EmployerLINC18: Workplace Issues in the News
Oklahoma City, OK | March 27, 2018

#MeToo in the O.R.

Healthcare Headlines Seminar
Oklahoma City, OK | March 27, 2018

2017 in Review — Impacts of a New Administration on Employment Law

2017 Corporate Counsel Seminar
Oklahoma City, OK | December 7, 2017

Workplace Investigations: Your Action Plan for Probing Complaints, Interviewing Witnesses, Reaching Reasoned Conclusions, and Taking Action

2017 Advanced Employment Issues Symposium Pre-Conference Workshop
Las Vegas, Nevada | November 15, 2017

Ask The Attorneys Panel

Ready to Work Conference & Expo
Shawnee, Oklahoma | September 15, 2017

A Look Ahead: What to expect and plan for

EmployerLINC17: Back to Basics
Tulsa, Oklahoma | March 23, 2017

A Look Ahead: What to expect and plan for

EmployerLINC17: Back to Basics
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | March 22, 2017

Keep Calm and Train On: HIPAA training made easy

What’s Hot in Healthcare 2017 Seminar
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | March 22, 2017

Employers Under Pressure: Key workplace compliance and training strategies

2016 Corporate Counsel Seminar
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | December 8, 2016

Restraint or Response? The NLRB’s stance on responding to employee outbursts on social media

EmployerLINC16: Employers Under Pressure
Tulsa, Oklahoma | April 5, 2016

Restraint or Response? The NLRB’s stance on responding to employee outbursts on social media

EmployerLINC16: Employers under pressure
Oklahoma City, OK | March 30, 2016

Guns or No Guns? Weighing workplace weapons policies

Oklahoma Trucking Association Midwinter Conference
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | March 3, 2016

Importance of Employee and Supervisor Training in Employment Law

Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies - Region VI 2015 Annual Training Conference
Catoosa, Oklahoma | October 22, 2015

Social Media Policies and Employment Law

Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies - Region VI 2015 Annual Training Conference
Catoosa, Oklahoma | October 22, 2015

2015 Employment Law Trends

Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies - Region VI 2015 Annual Training Conference
Catoosa, Oklahoma | October 22, 2015

Employee Handbooks: The good, the bad, and the ugly

Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies - Region VI 2015 Annual Training Conference
Catoosa, Oklahoma | October 22, 2015

Failure to train

EmployerLINC 2015: Case studies in costly mistakes
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | April 30, 2015

Failure to train

EmployerLINC 2015: Case studies in costly mistakes
Tulsa, Oklahoma | April 28, 2015

Downsizing done right: revisited

EmployerLINC Webinar
Online | February 25, 2015

Strategies for Shielding Owners and Board Members from HR and Benefits Liability

2014 Corporate Counsel Seminar
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | December 4, 2014

Same-Sex Spouses: What the changing legal landscape means for employers

EmployerLINC Webinar
Online | October 22, 2014

Hot button pre-employment issues

EmployerLINC 2014: In Compliance, Out of Court
Tulsa, Oklahoma | April 17, 2014

Hot button pre-employment issues

EmployerLINC 2014: In Compliance, Out of Court
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | April 16, 2014

Employment Law Update: What’s New in 2013

Enid Society for Human Resource Management
Enid, Oklahoma | October 8, 2013

Hiring and Interviewing

Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies
Tulsa, Oklahoma | September 19, 2013

Leave Management

Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies
Tulsa, Oklahoma | September 19, 2013

Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Update

Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies
Tulsa, Oklahoma | September 19, 2013

2013 Employment Law & Litigation

Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies
Tulsa, Oklahoma | September 19, 2013

Sexuality in the Workplace

S*X in the Workplace: Don’t Lose Your Asterisk Over It! CLE Seminar sponsored by the Oklahoma Bar Association
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | September 6, 2013

Sexuality in the Workplace

S*X in the Workplace: Don’t Lose Your Asterisk Over It! CLE Seminar sponsored by the Oklahoma Bar Association
Tulsa, Oklahoma | September 5, 2013

Department of Labor

EmployerLINC 2013: 'Government Gone Wild'
Tulsa, Oklahoma | April 26, 2013

Department of Labor

EmployerLINC 2013: 'Government Gone Wild'
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | April 23, 2013

Ticking Time Bombs — How to diffuse bullying in the workplace

EmployerLINC 2012: ‘Adventures in HR’
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | April 10, 2012

Ticking Time Bombs — How to diffuse bullying in the workplace

EmployerLINC 2012: ‘Adventures in HR’
Tulsa, Oklahoma | April 3, 2012

The ADAAA and Final EEOC Regulations: A Whole New Ballgame for Employers

EmployerLINC 2011 Labor, Employment and Employee Benefits Seminar
Tulsa, Oklahoma | April 26, 2011, 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

The ADAAA and Final EEOC Regulations: A Whole New Ballgame for Employers

EmployerLINC 2011 Labor, Employment and Employee Benefits Seminar
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | April 20, 2011, 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

EmployerLINC Webcast: When the Feds Come Knocking

Legal Information, News and Commentary for Employers Webcast
Online | January 25, 2011, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

When the Feds Come Knockin’

Tulsa Area Employer Council
Tulsa, Oklahoma | November 10, 2010

Employment Law Update

12th Annual Oklahoma Labor/Management Conference
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | May 5, 2010 - May 6, 2010

Employment Law Update

LEEB University - Tulsa
Tulsa, Oklahoma | October 7, 2009

Employment Law Update

LEEB University - Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | October 2, 2009

FMLA Compliance Challenges and Solutions

HR Hero Master Class
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | October 2, 2009
Attorney Articles

Articles

Setting the record straight on “free speech” rights in the workplace

McAfee & Taft EmployerLINC |
Oklahoma City emergency ordinance - face mask mandate

Oklahoma City face mask ordinance now in effect

McAfee & Taft LINC Alert |
domestic violence victim protection order

When harassment spills over into the workplace

The Journal Record |

SCOTUS declines to determine whether Title VII covers sexual orientation

McAfee & Taft EmployerLINC |

Federal court ruling means OSHA drug testing limitations are now live

McAfee & Taft EmployerLINC Update |

DOL issues final rule on paid sick leave for federal contractors

McAfee & Taft EmployerLINC |

OSHA overreach on workplace drug testing

The Journal Record |

OSHA prohibition on post-accident testing requires immediate action by employers

McAfee & Taft EmployerLINC Alert |

DOL proposes dramatic changes to FLSA overtime rules

McAfee & Taft EmployerLINC |

Supreme Court recognizes constitutional right to same‑sex marriage

McAfee & Taft EmployerLINC |

NLRB rules employee’s vulgar, unprofessional social media post is protected concerted activity

McAfee & Taft EmployerLINC |

Despite settlement, EEOC continues and expands discrimination investigation

EmployerLINC |

Sixth Circuit decision bucks trend on same-sex marriage

McAfee & Taft EmployerLINC |

Group health plans for same-sex spouses: Equal treatment required or not?

McAfee & Taft EmployerLINC |

A tiger by the tail

The Journal Record |

SCOTUS: Severance payments are taxable

McAfee & Taft EmployerLINC Alert |

Who owns inventions by employees?

HRLaws.com |

EEOC issues new guidance memorandum on employee criminal records

McAfee & Taft EmployerLINC Update |

Sweeping changes to Oklahoma employer drug testing law

McAfee & Taft EmployerLINC |

New I-9 ‘final rule’ effective May 16

McAfee & Taft EmployerLINC Alert |

Layoffs: WARN Act violation results in seven-figure settlement

Oklahoma Employment Law Letter |

Employee performance reviews and pretext: A hard lesson from the Tenth Circuit

Oklahoma Employment Law Letter |

Arbitration — the wave of the future?

Oklahoma Employment Law Letter |

The WARN Act: A key exception to employer liability

Oklahoma Employment Law Letter |

Disability discrimination

Oklahoma Employment Law Letter |
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Admissions

  • Oklahoma, 2002
  • U.S. District Courts for the Western, Northern and Eastern Districts of Oklahoma
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Education

  • J.D., summa cum laude, Oklahoma City University, 2002
    • Merit Scholar; Recipient, West Publishing Outstanding Scholastic Achievement Award; Recipient, Judge Tom Brett Award; Recipient, Ernest L. Wilkinson Award; Recipient, 13 CALI Awards
  • B.S. (Education and Mathematics), Oklahoma State University, 1997
    • Top Ten Student, College of Education
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Media

Photo of audience and presenter from the EmployerLINC 2023 seminar in Oklahoma City at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

EmployerLINC 2023 earns rave reviews for ‘sold out’ movie-themed, employer-focused events

April 5, 2023
Graphic with Peter Van Dyke portrait with a background featuring a silhouette of someone writing

Hidden talent, heartfelt words

November 18, 2022
Photo of vintage Candy Land gameboard

Candy Land

September 9, 2022

#HonorHeroes: Tribute to everyday people doing extraordinary things

April 24, 2020

Lifelines for Business: Paycheck Protection and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Programs

April 3, 2020

A Closer Look: What’s inside the new relief programs for employers and employees

March 31, 2020

The COVID-19 Pandemic:
Navigating Critical Legal and Business Issues

March 17, 2020

Medical Marijuana: Maintaining a safe workplace

May 15, 2019

EmployerLINC19 draws largest audiences ever

April 8, 2019

Go-To Counsel for Employers

March 11, 2019

Medical Marijuana in Oklahoma (for HR and executives)

September 25, 2018

Medical Marijuana: An Action Plan for Employers

July 19, 2018

Sexual Harassment: Battling claims in the courts of legal opinion and public opinion

April 10, 2018

Discrimination, harassment and retaliation (for supervisors and managers)

March 13, 2018

Why HIPAA training matters

March 17, 2017

Arbitration — Alternative to Court Litigation (for HR and executives)

March 15, 2015

Downsizing done right: revisited

February 25, 2015

The Value of Employment Law Training (for HR and executives)

February 20, 2015

Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace (for supervisors and managers)

February 11, 2015

Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace (for employees)

February 10, 2015

Discipline and Discharge (for supervisors and managers)

February 6, 2015

At-Will Employment (for HR and executives)

February 6, 2015

At-Will Employment (for supervisors and managers)

February 6, 2015

At-Will Employment (for employees)

February 6, 2015

Introduction to Federal Employment Law (for supervisors and managers)

February 5, 2015

Drug Testing in Oklahoma (HR and executives)

February 4, 2015
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In The News

Photo of McAfee & Taft exterior signage with the Best Lawyers logo overlaying the image
Best Lawyers names 128 McAfee & Taft lawyers to 2023 lists
Super Lawyers 2021
Best Lawyers 2022
Person with fist raised in protest

Oklahoma Super Lawyers honors 93 McAfee & Taft attorneys in 2020 edition

McAfee & Taft, 23 attorneys honored in 2021 edition of Benchmark Litigation

COVID-19 Return to Work Packages for Employers

Oklahoma Super Lawyers honors 101 McAfee & Taft attorneys in 2019 edition

EmployerLINC19 draws largest audiences ever in Oklahoma City and Tulsa

McAfee & Taft, 23 attorneys honored in 2019 edition of Benchmark Litigation

Oklahoma Super Lawyers honors 113 McAfee & Taft attorneys in 2018 edition

The Best Lawyers in America names 107 McAfee & Taft attorneys to 2019 edition

‘Workplace Issues in the News’ seminar draws record numbers

JurisIQ adds advanced training on discrimination, harassment and retaliation

The Best Lawyers in America names 102 McAfee & Taft attorneys to 2018 edition

McAfee & Taft’s JurisIQ Learning Center adds Healthcare Law Compliance courses

McAfee & Taft seminar draws large crowds looking for answers about new administration

Certain federal contractors must provide paid sick leave to employees

The Oklahoman |

McAfee & Taft’s JurisIQ adds Spanish‑language courses

Firm’s JurisIQ Learning Center receives national honor

‘Employers Under Pressure’ draws record attendance

EEOC stats show discrimination risks in litigation for employers

The Oklahoman |

Proposed overtime rules could extend overtime to millions of workers

The Oklahoman |

McAfee & Taft announces launch of online video training service

Annual seminar offers employers real-world examples of costly, common mistakes

Playing at Work: Fantasy football at the office

The Oklahoman |

McAfee & Taft publishes video series from EmployerLINC2014 seminar

Annual seminar continues to draw more employers with timely practical guidance

EEOC alleges employers disproportionately used criminal checks against minorities

The Oklahoman |

‘Government Gone Wild’ seminar draws record numbers

Three McAfee & Taft attorneys named ODOL administrative law judges

Attorneys in Oklahoma expect workplace investigations to rise

The Oklahoman |

Performance evaluations should be honest and complete, or not done at all

The Oklahoman |

McAfee & Taft names new shareholders

Bill would require employers give seven paid sick leave days

The Oklahoman |

15 McAfee & Taft attorneys honored as ‘Oklahoma Rising Stars’

Indian Affairs ruling a ‘historical moment’ for McAfee & Taft client

Attorney answers questions about genetic testing law

The Oklahoman |

Puckett, Ross to Address Oklahoma Employers on Fair Labor Standards Act

Paul Ross joins McAfee & Taft