Jay Rutherford: Legal Talent, Human Touch

May 12, 2015 | Spotlight



It takes more than a firm grasp of the law to be a great labor and employment lawyer. It also requires the human touch.

Jay Rutherford, a labor and employment attorney who has handled employer-employee issues and disputes for some of the largest corporations in the country, knows exactly how important the human element can be.

With these kinds of cases, Jay says, “Emotions run deep. Recognizing and controlling those emotions on behalf of your clients and the adversaries is difficult — but it’s a key to your practice.”

It’s a skill Jay has mastered in his nearly twenty years of practice. Whether the issue concerns employment discrimination, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, wage disputes, or labor-management negotiations, his experience gives him the ability to keep a cool head, a sense of humor, and a creative outlook.

Creativity is key, Jay says, because “You have to be able to recognize solutions to problems that may not be textbook to solve your clients’ problems. You have to consider all the factors that could lead to a quick and efficient solution for everyone involved.”

And often, considering all the factors helps forestall problems before they happen. A large part of Jay’s practice involves counseling employers on leave policies, drug and alcohol testing, privacy issues, compliance with wage and hour laws, covenants not to compete, and employee disciplinary matters. This kind of education and preparation of employers creates a powerful safety net against future complaints.

“You have to be able to recognize solutions to problems that may not be textbook to solve your clients’ problems. You have to consider all the factors that could lead to a quick and efficient solution for everyone involved.”

— Jay Rutherford

That foundation of security can be crucial in the volatile area of employment law, which Jay calls “the primetime TV of law — it has all the compelling issues.” And, presumably, all of the drama. But after all his years in the field, Jay is prepared for even the most outlandish cases. “It never surprises me what happens in the workplace,” he says.

It’s a safe bet he’s not often bored, either. And for Jay, that’s part of the true appeal of employment law. “I like dealing with people,” he says. “The same thing that makes this area of law so challenging is what makes it interesting — the human component.”

Never losing sight of that fact is what gives Jay the real human touch.


In This Story

Jay K. Rutherford
Partner, Fort Worth

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