Direct Email:
pjs@hpsslaw.com
Law School:
Emory University School of Law 1997
Graduate/Undergraduate:
University of Michigan 1994
B.B.A with Distinction
Practice Areas:
Labor & Employment
Construction Law
Admitted to Practice: GA 1997
Assistant: Diamond Qualls
dmq@hpsslaw.com
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2019
Selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars: 2005 - 2007, 2009 - 2010; Top Rated Construction Litigation Attorney in Atlanta, GA
PHILIP J. SIEGEL is a Partner and shareholder with the firm. Philip attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, graduating with distinction from the School of Business Administration where he earned his B.B.A. Mr. Siegel received his law degree from Emory University School of Law. After working in the public accounting industry as a state and local tax consultant for two years, he commenced his career as a construction litigation and labor/employment attorney.
Mr. Siegel’s practice focuses primarily in the areas of labor/employment law, including defense of OSHA citations, contract consulting, and construction litigation, including representation of general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers, all on a national basis.
Philip has represented clients in the construction industry before the National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, the Department of Labor, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Mr. Siegel has lectured on construction topics to a wide range of groups, including seminars sponsored by Lorman Educational Seminars, the Arizona Roofing Contractors Association, the Georgia Roofing & Sheetmetal Contractors Association, the Georgia Concrete and Products Association, the Macon Economic Development Commission Safety Committee, and the National Roofing Legal Resource Center.
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS/AFFILIATIONS
Member, State Bar of Georgia
Member, American Bar Association
Georgia Trend Legal Elite 2017
Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2005-2007, 2009-2010
AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell in Legal Ability 2005-2016
Georgia Utility Contractors Association, Member of Education Committee, 2005-present
PODCASTS
LECTURES
UPCOMING: "The Top 10 Employment Mistakes Made by Contractors (and how to avoid them!)," Insulation Contractors Association of America Convention and Trade Show in Phoenix, AZ; October 11, 2019
"Real Live Losses and Wins! Lessons Learned from Actual Employment-Related Claims," National Roofing Legal Resource Center 40th Annual Seminar; September 21, 2019
"Put It In Writing! Essential Policies or Every Employee Handbook," National Roofing Legal Resource Center 40th Annual Seminar; September 20, 2019
"Killer Contract Clauses," National Electrical Contractors Convention in Las Vegas September 17, 2019
"Navigating a Drug Free Workplace," National Electrical Contractors Convention in Las Vegas September 16, 2019
"Practical HR for Construction: Understanding FMLA/ADA, Harassment/Discrimination and OSHA's Multi-Employer Worksite Doctrine,"Associated Builders & Contractors of Georgia, August 27, 2019
Ask the Attorney Session: For Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors of Georgia at St. Simon’s Island, July 26, 2019
"The Top 10 Employment Mistakes Made by Contractors (and how to avoid them!)," Remodeling Association of Georgia; June 27, 2019
Podcast: “How to Prevent Employee Poaching By Your Competitors,” The Roofer Show June 2019
Webinar: “Understanding OSHA's Multi-Employer Worksite Doctrine and the Unforeseeable Employee Misconduct Defense;” May 10, 2019
"Top 10 Employment Mistakes Made by Roofing Contractors" for GAF at annual Wealth Builders Conference in Austin, Texas; April 8, 2019
Webinar: “Reviewing & Escaping Killer Contract Clauses!" for North/East Roofing Contractors Association; December 5, 2018. Register to listen to webinar.
"Top 10 Employment Mistakes Made by Roofing Contractors and How to Avoid Them" for the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association; Omaha, Nebraska; October 26, 2018
Webinar: "The Unforeseeable Employee Misconduct Defense to an OSHA Citation and OSHA’s Multi-Employer Worksite Doctrine" for National Association of Women in Construction; October 15, 2018
"Prevailing on Prevailing Wage Projects: An Overview of the Davis-Bacon Act" for The Seminar Group at its 7th Annual Important Topics in Construction and Government Contracting Seminar; Atlanta, Georgia; October 10, 2018
"Convoluted Contracts: Emerging Trends in Construction Contracts" for Insulation Contractors Association of America 2018 Convention and Trade Show; Orlando, Florida; September 15, 2018
“Oh! My Aching Back!” : The Devil’s Triangle – Understanding the Overlap Between FMLA, ADA, and Worker’s Compensation Laws for the National Roofing Legal Resource Center; Napa, California; September 8, 2018
"I Can’t Take It Anymore! Managing Harassment Claims and Conducting Lawful and Effective Investigations" for the National Roofing Legal Resource Center; Napa, California; September 7, 2018
Webinar: "High Times – Navigate Medical Marijuana Laws and Post-Accident Drug Testing" for American Subcontractors Association; August 14, 2018
“Oh! My Aching Back!” : The Devil’s Triangle – Understanding the Overlap Between FMLA, ADA, and Worker’s Compensation Laws" for the Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors of Georgia; St. Simon’s Island, Georgia; July 20, 2018
"Top 10 Employment Mistakes Made by Electrical Contractors and How to Avoid Them" for the Southern Region of National Electrical Contractors Association; Sun Valley, Idaho; June 30, 2018
Webinar: "Top 10 Employment Mistakes Made by Contractors and How to Avoid Them" for eSub Construction Software; June 28, 2018
"The Unforeseeable Employee Misconduct Defense" to an OSHA Citation and OSHA’s Multi-Employer Worksite Doctrine for the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association; May 17, 2018
“Top 10 Employment Mistakes Made by Contractors," National Association of Women in Construction, Dallas Chapter, Dallas, TX; May 15, 2018
"An Overview of OSHA’s Silica Rule for the Construction Industry" Georgia Utility Contractors Association Safety Forum, Atlanta, GA; March 29, 2018
"Biggest Employment Mistakes, OSHA Defense & Marijuana with Construction," The Construction Leading Edge Podcast Episode #74, March 21, 2018
"Top 10 Employment Mistakes Made by Subcontractors," American Subcontractors Association SubExcel Conference, Tuscon, AZ; March 1, 2018
"High Times: Navigating the Pitfalls of Marijuana Use and Post-Accident Drug Testing," Building Trades Employers Association Webinar; February 8, 2018
"Top 10 Employment Mistakes Made by Roofing Contractors," International Roofing Expo; New Orleans, LA; February 6, 2018
“Understanding OSHA’s Multi-employer Worksite Doctrine and the Unforeseeable Employee Misconduct Defense,” Webinar Presentation | Chicago Roofing Contractors Association, December 7, 2017
“Employment Mistakes Most Commonly Made by Subcontractors,” Webinar Presentation | American Subcontractors Association, November 14, 2017
"Top 10 Employment Mistakes Made by Contractors," Georgia Utility Contractors Association | Fall Industry Forum, November 2, 2017
"Top 10 Employment Mistakes Made by Contractors," Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association, September 20, 2017
"Navigating a Drug Free Workplace in 2017" and "Top 10 Employment Mistakes Made by Contractors," National Roofing Legal Resource Center’s Annual Seminar, Colorado Springs, CO; September 6-9, 2017
"The Devil’s Triangle: Understanding the Overlap Between the FMLA, ADA and Workers’ Compensation Laws," American Subcontractors Association Webinar, August 8, 2017 - On-Demand 90-Minute Webinar Broadcast
Featured Speaker at Associated Builders & Contractors of Georgia - Hot Topics Presentation, July 21, 2017
"Unforeseeable Employee Misconduct Defense," Georgia Utility Contractors Association - North Georgia Industry Luncheon, April 26, 2017
“Independent Contractor or Employee? An Overview of the Misclassification Issue”, GAF Wealth Builder/Partners in Growth Conference, April 5, 2016
“Employee Personnel File checklist: What Should and Should Not be Present, NRLRC, Roofing Issues: Decks to Dockets, 36th Annual Seminar, September 10, 2015
“A Presentation of Lien Rights and Bond Rights in Georgia”, Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association of Georgia, Annual Convention, St. Simons, Georgia, July 24, 2015
“Federal Wage and Hour Law and an Overview of Travel Pay Under the FLSA” AGC of Georgia, Inc.’s 2015 Construction Professionals Conference and Marketplace, April 29, 2015
“The Misclassification Issue: Understanding the Difference Between Employees and Independent Contractors”, 2015 International Roofing Expo, New Orleans, Louisiana, February 26, 2015
“Employee Handbooks: A Review of Important Employment Policies for Every Employer and How to Avoid the Wrath of the NLRB”, D & D Roofing, Inc., Commerce City, Colorado, January 29, 2015
“Compensable Travel Time Under the Fair Labor Standards Act”, D & D Roofing, Inc., Commerce City, Colorado, January 29, 2015
“Effective Interviewing and Hiring”, D &D Roofing, Inc., Commerce City, Colorado, January 29, 2015
“Stay Aboveboard On Immigration Compliance: Understanding the Intricacies Associated with Form I-9s, ICE Audits, and E-Verify”, D & D Roofing, Inc., Commerce City, Colorado, January 29, 2015
"Proper Completion of Form I-9"
Tennessee Association of Roofing Contractors, 2015 Summer Convention, June 5, 2015
Kirberg Roofing, April 9, 2013
Construction Suppliers Association (webinar), March 25, 2013
NRLRC (webinar), March 21, 2013
“Are You Ready for an ICE Audit: Understanding the Intricacies Associated with Form I-9s, ICE Audits, and E-Verify”, IRE, Las Vegas, Nevada, February 27, 2014
“Avoiding Claims of Discrimination in Recruiting and Hiring”, Mechanical Contractors Association of Georgia, October 24, 2013
“The Unforeseeable Employee Misconduct Defense to an OSHA Citation and OSHA’s Multi-Employer Worksite Policy”, Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia, October 17, 2013
“Stay Aboveboard On Immigration Compliance: Understanding the Intricacies Associated with Form I-9s, ICE Audits, and E-Verify”, NRLRC, Annual Seminar, Carlsbad, California, September 21, 2013
“Oh My Aching Back! What are your Legal Obligations?”, NRLRC, September 19, 2013
“Compliance with both Federal and State Immigration Laws”, Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association of Georgia, July 26, 2013
“Georgia’s New Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011”, Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association of Georgia, July, 2013
“Reviewing Killer Contract Clauses”
IRE, February 5, 2012
“An Update on OSHA and How to Survive an OSHA Inspection”
2014 Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association of GA Annual Seminar, July 25, 2014
GUCA, March 24, 2011
Middle GA Employer Committee on Safety, Health & Environment, February 2, 2011
GUCA, November 4, 2010
“Wage & Hour Issues Most Likely to Create Liability for Construction Contractors”
ABC (webinar), November 12, 2013
ABC, February 15, 2012
ABC (Webinar), December 8, 2010
“OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program”, GUCA, March 14, 2013
“The Unforeseeable Employee Misconduct Defense to an OSHA Citation”
Plumbing & Mechanical Association of Georgia, January 15, 2013
Georgia Fire Sprinkler Association, January 8, 2013
“Important Employee Policies for Every Roofing Contractor,” NRLRC, 33rd Annual Seminar, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, September 15, 2012
“Compensable Travel Time Under the Fair Labor Standards Act,” NRLRC, 33rd Annual Seminar, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, September 13, 2012
“Compensable Travel Time Under the Fair Labor Standards Act and Other Common Wage and Hour Issues for Roofing Contractors,” Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association, St. Simons Island, Georgia, July 20, 2012
“Payment Bonds, Liens, and Lien Waivers"
Western Roofing Expo, Las Vegas, Nevada, June 26, 2012
NRLRC, November 4, 2011
“What’s OSHA Up to Now and Specific Standards Affecting Roofing Contractors”, NRLRC, November 4, 2011
“Obama’s New Labor and Employment Laws and Policies for the Construction Industry,” International Roofing Expo, February 18, 2011
“Venturing into Federal Contracting - Understanding The Davis-Bacon Act”
International Roofing Expo, Las Vegas, Nevada, February 17, 2011“An Update on OSHA and How to Survive an OSHA Inspection”, Middle Georgia Employer Committee on Safety, Health and the Environment, February 2, 2011
“Defending Yourself from an OSHA Citation”, Georgia Utility Contractors’ Association Safety Seminar, March, 2007
“Wage and Hour Issues Facing Today’s Workforce”, International Roofing Exposition, March, 2007
“Responding to an OSHA Citation: From Inspection through Hearing”, Macon Economic Development Commission Safety Committee, January, 2006
“Employment Law Mistakes Most Commonly Made in the Construction Industry”, Georgia Concrete & Products Association Annual Seminar, March, 2006
“Immigration: What Every GUCA Member Needs to Know”, Georgia Utility Contractors Association Annual Conference, June, 2006
"Killer Contract Clauses”, National Roofing Contractors’ Association Risk Management Online Seminar, January, 2004
“Employment Law Mistakes Most Commonly Made by Contractors”, National Roofing Legal Resource Center Annual Seminar, November, 2004
“New Overtime Regulations and Wage and Hour Requirements”, National Roofing Legal Resource Center Annual Seminar, November, 2004
“Killer Contract Clauses”, Arizona Roofing Contractors’ Association Conference, March, 2002
“Recent Developments in Construction Law Cases”, Arizona Roofing Contractors’ Association Conference, March, 2002
“Hiring, Firing & Discrimination Claims”, Georgia Roofing & Sheetmetal Contractors’ Association Fall Conference, September, 2002
“Hiring & Firing of Employees”, National Roofing Legal Resource Center Annual Seminar, October, 2002
“Protecting Yourself Against Employment Discrimination Claims”, National Roofing Legal Resource Center Annual Seminar, October, 2002
“OSHA Regulations: Does Your Construction Site Comply?” (Discussion of Defenses to OSHA Citations), CLE Seminar, July, 2001
“Restrictive Covenants in Employment Agreements”, National Roofing Legal Resource Center Seminar, September, 2000
“Employer Rights Pertaining to Employee Misconduct”, National Roofing Legal Resource Center Seminar, September, 2000
Articles
Mr. Siegel has written a number of articles concerning labor and employment issues affecting the construction industry. Articles include:
“Obesity as a Disease: A Reminder of Employer’s Obligations Under the Americans with Disabilities Act,” Professional Roofing, January 2014
“Staying Above Board,” Professional Roofing, March 2013
“Don’t Blunder the Benefits,” Professional Roofing, January 2012
“Ask the Right Question,” Professional Roofing, May 2011
“A Proper Investigation,” Professional Roofing, October 2007
“Illegal Immigrant or Independent Contractor,” Professional Roofing, August 2005
“Keeping Former Employees Away From Your Customers,” Professional Roofing, December 2005
“Should I cash this check?” Professional Roofing, April 2004
“Collecting Attorneys’ Fees,” The Rooftopper, publication of the Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association of Georgia, Inc., April/May/June 2004
“Overtime!” Professional Roofing, August 2004
“Avoiding Common Legal Traps,” Professional Roofing, December 2004
“Those Traveling Times,” Professional Roofing, May 2003
“Should You Be Watching,” Professional Roofing, August 2003
“Paying Prevailing Wages,” Professional Roofing, December 2003
“Understanding Racial Harassment,” Professional Roofing, June 2002
“An Age Old Problem,” Professional Roofing, August 2002
“Pass the Salt & Pepper,” Professional Roofing, April 2001
“Revised Record-Keeping Rule,” Professional Roofing, August 2001
“An Introduction to OSHA’s Recordkeeping Regulation,” Focal Point (publication of Associated Builders and Contractors of Georgia, Inc.), Fall 2001
“Recent Ruling of the Georgia Court of Appeals,” The Rooftopper (publication of Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association of Georgia, Inc.), November 2001
“To Arbitrate or Not to Arbitrate,” Professional Roofing, December 2001
“You can leave, but you can’t take it with you,” Professional Roofing (publication of the National Roofers Contractors Association), December 2000