Robert A. Harris
Mr. Harris is a partner in the Vorys Columbus office and a member of the labor and employment and immigration practice areas.
Mr. Harris has experience in a wide range of labor and employment matters, including discrimination, wrongful discharge, employment-related torts, wage-hour law, and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). He has litigated cases in state and federal courts and before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). He regularly assists and advises clients on personnel matters and on development and application of company policy.
Mr. Harris also has substantial experience in immigration-related matters, including permanent and temporary business visas, family-based visas, and Form I-9 regulations.
Career highlights include:
- Successfully defending a large national client in a jury trial in a race discrimination claim, which victory was sustained on appeal in both the Court of Appeals and the State’s Supreme Court
- Defending a large national client in a nationwide Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) collective action relating to alleged overtime violations
- Representing a large national retailer in numerous federal and state law employment-related claims
- Representing numerous small and mid-size clients in general personnel matters and defending them against administrative charges and lawsuits
Mr. Harris is a member of the American Bar Association, the Columbus Bar Association, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Mr. Harris has lectured at seminars on a variety of topics including, the Immigration Control and Reform Act, the preparation and maintenance of I-9 forms and handling I-9 investigations, the Americans With Disabilities Act, labor implications of the Ohio Sales tax exemption for leased employees, developing appropriate policies against sexual and other forms of unlawful harassment, document retention policies, and conducting internal investigations.
Mr. Harris received his J.D. with honors from The Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law, where he was a staff member and Articles Editor of the Ohio State Law Journal and a member of the Order of the Coif, and received his MBA with honors from The Ohio State University. He earned his B.A., magna cum laude, from Kenyon College.
Honors & Awards
- Ohio Super Lawyers, Employment and Labor, 2012
- Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Employment and Labor, 2005-2006, 2009-2010
News
- 75 Vorys Attorneys Recognized as 2012 Ohio Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- 54 Vorys Attorneys Recognized as 2010 Ohio Super Lawyers
- 70 Vorys Attorneys Recognized as 2009 Ohio Super Lawyers
Events
- Take Five Breakfast Series - I-9s and Other Immigration Issues
- Take Five Breakfast Series - Best Practices to Deter FMLA Abuse
Publications
- Immigration Alert: Bundle Filings of L-1 Petitions
- Immigration Alert: Current H-1B Cap Count
- Immigration Alert: USCIS Makes Major Change in Delivery of I-797 Receipt and Approval Notices
- Immigration Alert: Alabama Latest State to Pass Controversial Immigration Law
- Immigration Alert: New Penalties for Indiana Employers Who Fail to Check Immigration Status
- Client Alert: New Compensation Restrictions Coming for Colleges and Universities
- Immigration Alert: Social Security Administration Announces Resumption of No-Match Letters
- Immigration Alert: Relief for Japan and Other Nationals from the Pacific Stranded due to the Earthquakes and Tsunami
- Immigration Alert: I-129 Petitions Now Require Employers to Make "Deemed Export" Certifications When Sponsoring Nonimmigrant Foreign Nationals for Certain Temporary Work Visas
- Immigration Alert: H-1B Petitions