Attorneys

JAMES E. ROLLINS, JR.

Admitted to bar: 1987, Georgia

Education: University of Georgia (B.F.A. with honors, 1982)
Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law (J.D. cum laude, 1987)

Jay is a native Georgian; having grown up in Cordele. Immediately after graduating from Mercer University School of Law, Jay began work as law clerk to the Honorable Duross Fitzpatrick in the Middle District of Georgia. From there, Jay went to work at the management labor and employment law firm Fisher & Phillips in 1989, but in 1993, he joined three other lawyers to form their own firm specializing in representing individuals and small businesses in employment matters. In 1999, Jay began practicing with Debra Schwartz when they and others formed the firm of Thompson, Rollins & Schwartz.

Jay focuses his practice on assisting his individual clients in addressing their employment issues and advising his business clients in day-to-day employment-related issues, reviewing and preparing policies and handbooks, conducting employee training, ensuring compliance and handling charges and other claims filed by current and former employees. Jay is an active member of the Georgia Bar Association, currently serving as the Vice-Chair for the Labor and Employment Section. He has been a speaker at Continuing Legal Education and bar seminars in Georgia and nationally.

Jay’s interests outside the law include supporting the Atlanta arts community, reading, travel, horseback riding and college football.

Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia

Bar Memberships
- Georgia Bar Association
- Atlanta Bar Association
- Stonewall Bar Association
- Georgia Association of Black Women Lawyers

Community Memberships
- Buckhead Business Association, member 2009 to present
- University of Georgia Alumni Association, member
- Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, member 2008 to present
- Stage Door Players, Board of Directors member 1999-2003, Chair 2002
- DeKalb County Commission’s Small Business Advisory Council, 1996 - 2002
- DeKalb Small Business Development Conference Committee, 1998 - 2002

Other
- “Georgia Super Lawyers: The Top Attorneys in Georgia,” Guide to Best Attorneys in Georgia: Law & Politics Magazine and Atlanta
Magazine, 2004 through 2010
- “The Legal Elite: Georgia’s Most Effective Lawyers,” Georgia Trend Magazine, 2006, 2009, 2010
- AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Recent Speaking Engagements
- TOP Group HR Seminars, Topic: The Employee Free Choice Act, Chicago, August 25, 2009, Atlanta, November 20, 2009
- Gwinnett Human Resource Managers Association, Cut Costs - Not Jobs, June 25, 2009
- Wildmor Realty Breakfast Seminar, Reduce Labor Costs Before Reducing Labor Force, March 4, 2009
- Association of General Contractors, Atlanta, Safely Terminating the Problem Employee, April 1, 2009
- Continuing Legal Education, 2009 Georgia State Bar Meeting, Diversity in the Age of Obama, June 19, 2009
- CLE, Labor & Employment Law Institute, Employment Rights of Immigrants, December 19, 2008
- 25th Annual Multi-State Labor & Employment Law Institute, Internal Investigation: Do It Right!, Williamsburg, VA, June 27-30, 2007

Email: Jay

Law Offices of Debra E. Schwartz, LLC, 945 E. Paces Ferry Road, Suite 1770, Atlanta GA 30326
Phone: 404-842-7274 Fax: 404-842-7277, E-Mail jer@GAEmploymentLawyers.com