Biography
Attorney Shaun C. Southworth is the passionate founding attorney of Southworth PC. From offices in Atlanta, GA and Washington D.C, he represents federal employees and former federal employees across the globe, embodying the firm's values of being truth-based, client-focused, compassion-minded, and results-driven.
In his years of practicing law, Shaun has amassed over 20,000 hours of experience and has consistently demonstrated a staunch commitment to his clients. He regularly litigates against large governmental agencies like the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, Department of Veterans Affairs, and many others. His work is not just about winning cases, it is about making a difference. He has achieved not only significant settlements for his clients but has also influenced meaningful changes in workplace structures and ensured that his clients can continue to work on their own terms.
One of his most impactful victories was for a young African American woman who had been terminated during her probationary period in retaliation for raising race discrimination claims. Shaun successfully fought for her, securing her job back along with compensatory damages and attorney's fees. This case resonates with him deeply, as he was able to help her return to a role she loved and continue her mother's legacy in law enforcement.
Shaun's legal journey began at Duke University School of Law, where he graduated with honors, receiving the "Faculty Award for Outstanding Achievement in Labor and Employment Law," an award not bestowed every year. He was also named the Neill James Blue Scholar. Following Duke, he garnered experience at an "Am Law 100" law firm, one of America's largest law firms, and later served as the senior attorney at a premier employment and federal practice boutique. There, he honed his leadership skills, supervising other employment attorneys and crafting litigation strategies for numerous employment cases against entities ranging from Fortune 500 companies to large governmental agencies.
Shaun's commitment to employment rights is holistic. He has represented clients in virtually all areas of employment law, from federal careers defense to wage and hour individual and class actions. He has also litigated claims before federal and state courts, before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the Ninth Circuit, arbitration panels, the EEOC's administrative judges in hearings, the Merit Systems Protection Board, and the United States Office of Personnel Management.
Clients who have worked with Shaun often commend his sincere concern for their situations and his commitment to fight for their rights. He's often described as being more than just an attorney, but a good person who genuinely cares about his clients' wellbeing. At Southworth PC, clients can expect to be heard, understood, and served with utmost dedication and proficiency-while also being given straight-forward and truth-based advice.
Prior to law school, Shaun was a middle school English teacher in Nevada as part of the Teach for America program. His experience in education has instilled in him a deep sense of empathy, patience, and dedication to service - qualities that he brings to his practice every day. An honors graduate of Grinnell College in Iowa, Shaun continues to value education and regularly keeps himself updated with changes in employment law.
Outside of work, Shaun practices mindfulness and is a meditation practitioner. He believes that a balanced life is key to maintaining his drive and focus in his work.
Joining Southworth PC means more than just hiring an attorney. It means partnering with a advocate who will listen, strategize, and fight for you.
Please note: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in future cases.
Education
- Duke University School of Law, Durham, North Carolina
- Juris Doctor - 05/2009
- Honors: Faculty Labor and Employment Award
- Honors: Neill James Blue Scholar
- Grinnell College, Iowa
- Bachelor of Arts - 05/2004
- Honors: With Honors
- Honors: Trustee Honor Scholar
- Honors: Humanities Scholar
Classes & Seminars
- Former Middle School English teacher as Part of the “Teach for America” Program
Past Positions
- Husch Blackwell LLP, Associate
- Am Law 100, Senior Attorney
Professional Associations
- National Employment Lawyers Association, 2012 to 2017
Current Employment Position
- Founding Attorney
Practice Areas
- Federal Sector Litigation
- Federal Careers Defense
- Equal Opportunity Employment
- Reasonable Accommodation Law
- Discrimination
- Harassment
- Retaliation
- Whistleblowing
- Federal Workers Compensation
- Disability Retirement
Bar Admissions
- Missouri, 2009
- U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri, 2009
- U.S. District Court District of Kansas, 2009
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 2010
- Kansas, 2010
- Georgia, 2012
- U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District of Missouri
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Georgia
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia