Bio
Ross E. Simpson practices primarily in the areas of management-side labor and employment law, civil litigation, and wage-and-hour law. Ross’ experience includes defending employers in state and federal courts in single-plaintiff, multi-plaintiff, and class/collective actions involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage-and-hour violations, as well as in other civil and commercial litigation. Outside of the courtroom, Ross guides employers through investigations into alleged unlawful conduct by the EEOC, DOL, NLRB, and state and local agencies. Ross also provides “preventative” legal services by aiding clients in developing, drafting, and interpreting handbooks, manuals, rules, and policies in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and Ross prepares and negotiates employment agreements, separation agreements, restrictive covenants, and other business-related contracts.
Ross served for over four years as a Judicial Term Clerk to the Honorable Susan O. Hickey, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, where he gained extensive and unique insight into the inner workings of the federal judiciary that now informs his litigation practice. Ross obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude and served as the Executive Editor of the Arkansas Law Review. Ross also received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Arkansas.
Areas of Service
Experience
- Defending employers in state and federal courts in single-plaintiff, multi-plaintiff, and class/collective actions involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage and hour violations, as well as other civil and commercial litigation.
- Guiding employers through investigations and charges of discrimination, wage claims, and/or unfair labor practices filed with the EEOC, DOL, NLRB, and state/local agencies.
- Counseling employers on their obligations under labor and employment laws and regulations.
- Assisting employers with handbook and policy development, drafting, and interpretation.
- Preparing employment agreements, separation agreements, and restrictive covenants.
Honors
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, 2024
- Labor and Employment Law – Management
- Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Mid-South Super Lawyers’ “Rising Star,” 2024
Education
- University of Arkansas School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2016
- University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, B.A. in Political Science, 2013
Admissions
- Arkansas, 2016
- United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit