Patricia J. Hill

Patricia J. Hill is a Partner in the Litigation Section of Smith Gambrell & Russell, LLP and heads the Firm’s Labor and Employment Law Group.

Ms. Hill is board certified in labor and employment in Florida, and she is AV rated by Martindale-Hubell and selected as a Florida Super Lawyer for 2008 and 2009.

Ms. Hill has significant expertise and experience in employment law, that encompasses discrimination litigation, employment contracts, employee handbooks and policies, terminations, separations, hiring practices, wage and hour issues, unemployment compensation and other aspects of the employer/employee relationship governed by state and federal laws. Ms. Hill regularly counsels clients on compliance issues and dispute avoidance. When litigation becomes necessary, Ms. Hill regularly represents employers in employment litigation matters pending in state and federal courts. She negotiates labor contracts, trains employers in union avoidance and handles unfair labor practice charges and union campaigns. Ms. Hill’s employment law practice also includes extensive experience in litigation matters concerning non-compete and non-solicitation agreements and other state law claims.

Ms. Hill is admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; The U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit; U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida; U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida; U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida; U.S. District Court Middle District of Georgia; U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois; U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois; U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois; U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana; U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas; U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas; and U.S. District Court Western District of Texas. She is a member of the Illinois, Florida, and Georgia Bar Associations.

Her published decisions include Garcia v. Sunbelt Rentals, Inc., 310 F.3rd 403 (5th Cir. 2002); Johnson v. Stone Container, 88 F. Supp. 2d 1295 (ND Ala 2000); Savino v. C.P. Hall Co., 199 F.3d 925 (7th Cir. 1999); Bryson v. Chicago State, 96 F. 3d 912 (7th Cir. 1996); Ernst v. Sunbelt Rentals, 108 Fed. Appx. 911 (5th Cir. 2004).

She is involved in civic organizations throughout Jacksonville including Leadership Jacksonville and The First Coast Manufacturers Association.