Mary Clay Morgan has extensive experience litigating labor and employment matters and a variety of other cases in both state and federal courts.
In her labor and employment practice, Mary Clay defends employers in a range of litigation matters, including claims of discrimination and retaliation, FLSA violations, violations of covenants not to compete, and other matters arising in the workplace. With extensive experience litigating enforcement actions brought by the EEOC, she has drafted handbooks and employment agreements, conducted employee and supervisor training, and advised clients in all areas of labor and employment law. In addition. Mary Clay also has litigated claims involving products liability, financial services, mass torts, business torts, and commercial contract disputes.
Prior to rejoining Bradley, Mary Clay served as COO and general counsel for an accounting and advisory firm specializing in government disaster recovery, grant compliance, healthcare, and construction services across the Southeast. In that role she was responsible for building the organization’s legal department, hiring and managing the legal team, leading compliance and risk management programs, overseeing the insurance program, and managing all firm litigation. Her operational responsibilities included oversight of HR, marketing, and facilities, and collaborating closely with CIO, CISO, and CFO on strategic initiatives and operational matters.
Martindale-Hubbell®AV Preeminent Rated Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® Commercial Litigation, 2016-2021 Litigation – Labor and Employment, 2016-2021 Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants, 2018-2021 Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2019-2021 Listed in Benchmark Litigation "40 & Under Hot List," 2016, 2018, 2019 "Labor & Employment Star," 2020 "Future Star," Mississippi, 2014-2016, 2018-2019, 2021 Listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers General Litigation, 2018-2020 "Rising Star," General Litigation, 2013-2017 Listed in Mississippi Business Journal "Top 50 Under 40," 2016 "Leader in Law," 2014 "50 Leading Business Women," 2013 EEOC v. Wesley Health System, LLC Defended hospital against claims brought by the EEOC on behalf of former employee who claimed the hospital violated the ADA by failing to accommodate her ongoing physical limitations following surgery and extended medical leave. EEOC v. Georgia Blue, LLC Defended restaurant against religious discrimination claims brought by the EEOC regarding restaurant’s dress code policy requiring servers to wear blue jeans. EEOC v. Vicksburg Healthcare, LLC Defended hospital against disability discrimination claims brought by the EEOC on behalf of former employee who claimed the hospital violated the ADA by not allowing her to take extended leave after surgery. Byrd v. Shoe Show Obtained defense verdict in two-day jury trial as lead trial counsel for retailer accused by former employee of malicious prosecution and defamation. Ducksworth v. Wesley Health Systems Obtained summary judgment on all claims in favor of Wesley Health Systems in Title VII race discrimination and retaliation case. Morton v. Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. Lead attorney in jury trial of Americans with Disabilities Act case. After a three-day trial, the jury returned a defense verdict for our client on all claims. Parker v. Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. Obtained summary judgment in favor of Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. on all claims. Plaintiff alleged his termination was retaliatory under ERISA Section 510 and the FMLA, and also claimed he was discriminated against in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The plaintiff appealed, and after briefing and oral argument, the Fifth Circuit affirmed summary judgment in our client’s favor. Plaintiff’s petition for writ of certiorari in the United States Supreme Court was denied. National Western Life Insurance Co. v. Dunn Secured reversal of trial court order enforcing settlement agreement on terms advanced by plaintiff in dispute arising out of agreement reached at mediation. After briefing and oral argument, the Mississippi Court of Appeals reversed the trial court's ruling. Wood v. Cooper Tire and Rubber Co. Obtained summary judgment on all plaintiff’s claims in premises liability case brought by employee of independent contractor. White, et al. v. Nelson, et al. Represented attorney in claims of legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty and fraud. After a four-day trial, the jury returned a defense verdict for our client on all claims. Harrison v. Tyson Breeders, Inc. Represented poultry company in claims of breach of contract, fraud and negligence arising out of termination of former chicken grower. After a four-day trial in 2009, achieved a defense verdict for client on all tort claims, and a minimal damage award on the contract claim. After a cross-appeal, the Mississippi Court of Appeals affirmed the jury’s verdict in client’s favor on the tort claims, and reversed the damage award on the contract claims. Plaintiff filed a motion for rehearing and petition for writ of certiorari, both of which were denied. Marble v. Deviney Construction Co. Obtained reversal of $2.5 million jury verdict against Deviney Construction Co. in the Mississippi Supreme Court. Padgett v. Oktibbeha Educational Foundation Obtained summary judgment on Title VII gender discrimination claim brought by male teacher against school. The school terminated the teacher for violating its sexual harassment policy, and the teacher claimed the sexual harassment charge was a pretext for gender discrimination. The district court granted summary judgment, holding that the plaintiff had failed to rebut the school’s evidence it acted in good faith in its termination decision. McLane Services, Inc. v. Alstom Power Inc. Obtained jury verdict of more than $800,000 for refractory subcontractor. After a three-day trial, the jury found that the defendant, a fellow contractor on power plant project, committed promissory fraud. Webb v. Central Industries, et al. Obtained summary judgment for poultry company in environmental contamination case. Client was sued as the alter ego of a rendering plant in which it was a shareholder. Mask and respirator litigation Mask and respirator litigation for 3M Company in products-liability cases brought by plaintiffs alleging injury from exposure to asbestos, silica, or coal dust in connection with their claimed use of 3M respiratory protection products. BancorpSouth v. BankPlus, et al. Represented the plaintiff in this significant dispute between two banks arising out of alleged breaches of non-compete and non-solicitation contracts and tortious interference.
