Rebecca has been with the firm since 2001 and is a member of the firm’s Labor and Employment practice group.  Her practice focuses on handling a wide variety of employment disputes arising under both state and federal law. These disputes include harassment and discrimination claims under Title VII and 42 U.S.C. § 1981, as well as employment contract disputes (including pay issues, enforcement of non-compete agreements, protection of confidential employer information and trade secrets), wage and hour law issues, and workplace drug and alcohol testing issues. Additionally, she handles disputes arising under the Family Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Shanlever also has significant experience defending employers against claims of customer race discrimination. Shanlever has successfully defended numerous employment discrimination and related lawsuits, both through motion practice and in jury trials. In addition to her litigation practice, Shanlever regularly gives day-to-day legal advice to human resources and management personnel and provides anti-discrimination and anti-harassment training for all levels of employees. Shanlever has been recognized by Law & Politics and Atlanta Magazine as a Rising Star in the area of employment litigation, since 2005.

Representative Experience
Served as counsel to numerous companies on a regional and national basis in employment discrimination litigation involving individual and multiple-plaintiff actions alleging sex, race, age, and disability discrimination and harassment, discrimination in public accommodations, and violations of various state laws

Successfully represented restaurant chain in multiple lawsuits in five states alleging race discrimination against customers represented by national civil rights organization, including three summary judgment rulings and one defense verdict at jury trial

Obtained defense verdict for national and international news network in federal jury trial of reverse-race and age discrimination claims

Awarded judgment as a matter of law for national media corporation on wrongful discharge claim in state court

Received numerous summary judgment rulings in favor of employers in sex, race, age, and disability discrimination and harassment cases

Obtained dismissal of nine-plaintiff race and national origin discrimination lawsuit against national broadcasting company

Negotiated favorable settlements of sex, race, age, national origin, and disability discrimination and harassment claims and lawsuits

Successfully implemented nationwide reductions in force for national media corporation

Counseled management and human resources personnel on compliance with all labor and employment laws and regulations, review and revision of internal corporate policies, and practices involving restrictive covenants

Prevented disclosure of confidential information by former employee without litigation

Investigated and advised employers regarding internal reports of sex and race harassment and whistleblower complaints and misuse of company funds

Prepared and implemented employee handbooks for wide variety of businesses

Presentations and Speaking Engagements 
Jury Communication and Advocacy in Employment Discrimination Cases:  Humanizing the Employer and Overcoming Sympathy for Plaintiffs and Bias Against Companies, American Conference Institute, February 26, 2010

Reducing Your Workforce Without Increasing Your Liability, Troutman Sanders LLP Annual Seminar, November 19, 2008

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments, Troutman Sanders LLP Annual Seminar, November 6, 2008

Explaining the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), Troutman Sanders LLP Annual Seminar, November 6, 2008

Volunteers & The Law – the legal issues of working with volunteers, Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta, April 26, 2008

Emory University School of Law, Trial Techniques program:

• Jury Selection, February 29, 2008
• Persuasive and Evidentiary Foundation for Exhibits, February 20, 2009
• Use of Exhibits in the Courtroom, February 19, 2010

Managed and presented Troutman Sanders Annual Labor & Employment Seminars, November 2008 and 2009

Publications
“Hazardous Jobs Not Child’s Play:  DOL Imposes First Increased Fine Under New Child Labor Legislation,” Employment and the Law, August 18, 2009

“Crude Workplace Behavior:  Equally Offensive to All, or Sex Discrimination?”, Employment and the Law, August 18, 2009

“Personnel Records:  Keeping Pandora’s Box Closed,” Law 360, June 19, 2009 (originally published in Employment and the Law, May 21, 2009

"Trends Suggest Expanded Protection for Minor Employees," Employment and the Law, November 17, 2008