Bio

Originally from small-town Ohio, Heather Gwinn Pabon’s family made the Nashville-area home more than two decades ago and taught her the importance of advocating for what is right, working hard, and helping others achieve their goals. Now, a partner with Gordon & Rees, the Managing Partner of the Nashville office, and a member of the Firm’s Employment, Healthcare, and Professional Liability practice groups, Ms. Gwinn Pabon uses those values every day to assist and guide her clients in her national litigation practice focusing on healthcare, employment, and commercial disputes. Drawing from her experience as a direct care provider in several healthcare facilities prior to law school, including as certified nurses’ assistant and mental health counselor, Ms. Gwinn Pabon routinely defends physicians, assisted living and nursing home clients, hospitals, medical spas, and other health care providers against a variety of claims, including malpractice and negligence, violations of the state-specific consumer protection acts, and various common law actions. Ms. Gwinn Pabon advises and defends small and medium-sized businesses and Fortune 500 companies regarding the employer-employee relationship. Recognizing the importance of being proactive when maneuvering through this often-complicated relationship, she serves as outside general employment counsel for several clients. In that role, she advises clients on numerous labor and employment issues, including the creation and implementation of employment handbooks and policies, engagement of independent contractors, compliance with wage and hour laws and state and federal statutes regarding family and other leave, the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements and defense against unfair labor practice claims, and the gamete of general employee-employer relations. She regularly counsels and defends in litigation clients regarding and successfully defends clients against Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Fair Labor Standards Act claims. Ms. Gwinn Pabon has significant experience defending collective actions involving allegations of violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act and class actions involving a variety of legal issues, including those involving independent contractor versus employee designations.