James Burr Shields II

I provide counseling to employers and employees in a wide range of issues and has litigated numerous cases in state and federal trial courts.

My approach to practicing law and my reputation among employment attorneys and former clients are greatly influenced by this sentiment: “I love people, and I despise inefficiency.”

I have been practicing employment law in Arizona since 1987. I earned Martindale-Hubbell’s AV-Preeminent rating over 10 years ago and have been listed by The Best Lawyers in America since 2009.

In 2016, I was honored by U.S. News/Best Lawyers as “Lawyer of the Year” (Phoenix) for Labor and Employment Litigation.

Also, I am rated by Chambers and Partners in the area of Labor and Employment. According to one of my clients who participated in the Chambers survey:

“[Burr's] knowledge is absolutely incredible – it’s mind-blowing how we can present a situation and he understands where it should go. I trust him 100%.”

The current scope of my practice encompasses:

• counseling employers, particularly in the healthcare area, in regard to all labor and employment matters; 
• drafting employment agreements, non-competition agreements and employer manuals and policies;
• representing employers and employees in litigation, arbitration and mediation;
• representing employers in matters pending before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Civil Rights Division of the Attorney General’s Office, the National Labor Relations Board and the United States Department of Labor;
• representing healthcare professionals in licensing matters; and
• serving as a mediator of employment disputes.

Mediation

As an employment mediator trained at the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at the Pepperdine School of Law, I bring strong subject matter expertise to every employment dispute in which I am engaged.

My experience in representing employers and employees in litigation matters, combined with my evaluative approach to resolving disputes, allows me to recognize and articulate the strengths and weaknesses of both parties' cases, offering the potential for a speedier resolution.

My mediation philosophy emphasizes minimizing the negativity in a dispute, reaching a settlement, and redirecting the parties' focus away from the margin of victory or defeat.