George C. Morrison

How George Helps Clients

A recognized leader in higher education and Civil Rights law, George Morrison brings nearly two decades of experience to his practice, counseling clients on a comprehensive suite of labor and employment matters. With considerable knowledge of employee relations, the enforcement of equal opportunity laws, regulatory compliance, defamation, class actions, litigation, and training, George drives goal-oriented solutions across multiple industries. His clients, ranging from private colleges, public universities, retailers, and hospitals to start-ups and multinational institutions, consistently rely on George’s trusted counsel and guidance when managing their unique situations.  

In his higher education practice, George offers a wealth of expertise across various legal areas. As an accomplished business and educational advisor, he co-founded and leads Folds of Honor Mid-Atlantic, a national non-profit that supports the educational aspirations of the children of U.S. military service members and first responders. This leadership experience profoundly influences his legal approach and counsel.  As a Level 3 certified Civil Rights and Hearings Officer, he regularly provides guidance to academic institutions on Title IX investigations, proceedings, training and compliance. Furthermore, George represents his clients across the full scope of educational law matters, including faculty and student procedural due process rights, senior administration employment contracts, service contracts, intellectual property policies, document retention, compliance with federal, state, and local laws, and, if necessary, the facilitation and implementation of anti-sexual harassment training and other educational programs.  George also represents higher education institutions regarding various First Amendment issues, including emergency injunctive matters.

As a litigator and negotiator, George proactively guides private and public organizations on general labor and employment issues. He routinely defends clients against tort claims, from invasion of privacy and emotional distress to defamation and tortious interference, and represents organizations operating in the reinsurance, healthcare and hospitality industries on wage and hour class and collective actions. His experience in this area extends to predictive scheduling laws, multi-jurisdiction litigation, investigations, administrative proceedings and litigation under OSHA, and due diligence involving stock sales and mergers, personnel policies and layoffs.  George also represents organizations with respect to non-compete, non-solicit and confidentiality agreements and frequently appears in federal and state courts across the United States for emergency temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction matters seeking to enforce such agreements.   

Adopting a client-first philosophy, George takes the time to grasp the intricacies of his clients’ day-to-day operations, as well as any pain points they may encounter. His knowledge extends well beyond labor and employment law, making him reliable counsel for various legal issues, such as intellectual property litigation, white collar criminal defense and investigations, trust and estate matters, and corporate mergers and acquisitions. By acting as a legal connector, George ensures that his clients receive comprehensive legal support tailored to their unique needs, no matter the situation.

Prior to joining private practice, George was a judicial clerk to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and also served as a judicial clerk to the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.

Employee issues present unique challenges beyond managing legal risk, often raising other practical considerations that impact a client’s operations and workplace culture. I strive to assist clients in finding practical solutions to workplace challenges and avoid litigation, but if necessary, I fiercely protect and defend their interests up to and through trial.

What Clients Can Expect 

George’s clients can expect a dedicated and knowledgeable advocate, who not only brings a wealth of legal expertise but also a genuine passion for educating others. As a full-service attorney, George dives deep into the intricacies of each client's operations, ensuring he fully understands their unique challenges and objectives. From the initial complaint to discovery and, if necessary, trial, George serves as a legal conduit for navigating complex situations, regardless of whether they fall within his primary areas of expertise. He believes in the power of proactive engagement and encourages clients to involve him early in the process. This collaborative approach allows George to develop tailored strategies to avoid litigation and achieve optimal outcomes. Whether working with universities or public companies, George is committed to imparting his knowledge of the law, ensuring that clients are well-informed and empowered throughout their legal journey. His focus on education and collaboration fosters strong, trusting relationships, making clients feel supported and confident in their legal decisions.

Outside the Office

George is passionate in his support of the community. He is Co-Founder and Vice President of the Eastern Pennsylvania-New Jersey chapter of Folds of Honor and volunteers a lot of his time to provide educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service-members. He also sits on the advisory board to the Jay Sidhu School of Business and Leadership at Wilkes University. As a private pilot, when he isn’t working or volunteering, you can find George traveling around the country or playing a relaxing game of fetch with his dogs at a local park.

Awards & Recognitions

George has been recognized as a Pennsylvania “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers since 2012.

Proof Points

• Defended large national retailer against class action claims under Philadelphia Fair Workweek Law.  Mitigated risk of over $12M.
• Represented large national grocery store chain in agency audit under Philadelphia Fair Workweek Law.  Mitigated risk of over $15M.
• Defended major university in Pennsylvania Department of Education investigation.
• Defended university in U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights investigation.
• Defended large coffee chain against class action claims under New York City Fair Workweek Law.
• Enforced arbitration agreement in FLSA matter which was challenged pursuant to the U.S. Supreme Court decision Morgan v. Sundance, Inc. This result limits the decision in Morgan regarding when an employer waives its right to compel arbitration and it mitigated risk of over $3M.
• Defended major university during a two-week, high-profile trial against whistleblower with defamation claims related to sexual abuse allegations tied to its football program.
• Enforced arbitration agreement in wage and hour collective and class action matter mitigating risk of over $1.5M.
• Obtained summary judgment dismissal for university hospital action arising under the ADA and FMLA and Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmance of the judgment. Saved over $150K, and negated the need for an extensive trial, mitigating risk of over $500K.
• Obtained summary judgment in a national origin and age discrimination case for a well-known higher education institution, that was affirmed by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Mitigated risk of over $1M.
• Represented a resale and e-commerce site in a $250M sale to a publicly-traded global technology platform for a luxury fashion company.