Mary Anne Ackourey is a Partner in Freeman Mathis and Gary, LLP’s Atlanta office. She is also one of the founding attorneys of FMG. She is a member of the Labor & Employment Law and the Government Law Practice Sections. She is nationally known employment attorney and has been recognized by both Chambers USA and Super Lawyers. She has handled a number of high-profile cases for educational institutions and public employers.

Ms. Ackourey has represented employers throughout the country and her experience includes trying to verdict multiple federal jury trials, bench trials and arbitration cases. She also has handled a number of significant appellate cases, including a leading Ninth Circuit case on sexual harassment. 

During her over 25 years of practice, Ms. Ackourey has represented employers in hundreds of single-plaintiff and multi-plaintiff Title VII, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, Section 1981 & 1983 and other employment law claims. In addition, she routinely works with clients on preventive strategies, including development of employment handbooks and policies, arbitration programs, management policy guides, compliance audits and wage, and hour reviews.

Ms. Ackourey also has extensive experience in employment and student issues unique to public and private higher education, special education and secondary educational institutions. She has handled cases for universities, public schools and private schools, including Title IX disciplinary and discrimination claims, denial of tenure, teacher and staff terminations, student discipline and expulsion, harassment, constitutional protections, and IDEA accommodation/special education issues.

Ms. Ackourey has served on the Executive Committee of the Employment Law Committee of the Defense Research Institute and was Editor in Chief of the DRI's Electronic Employment Law treatise.

She received her undergraduate degree from Duke University (B.A., cum laude) and her law degree from Emory University (J.D.). She is admitted to practice in Georgia and Florida.

Florida

Georgia

• “Lawful Social Media Policies,” The Generator, a publication of the Georgia Automobile Dealers Association
• Editor-In-Chief: Employment Law E-Desk Reference, Defense Research Institute
• “Must Have” Policies For Your Law Firm’s Employee Handbook,” Association of Legal Administrators, Atlanta Chapter, Publication
• “Establishing a Disciplinary Program and Terminating Law Firm Employees”, Association of Legal Administrators, Atlanta Chapter, Publication
• “Establishing An Effective Evaluation Program for Your Law Firm,” Association of Legal Administrators, Atlanta Chapter, Publication
• “Workplace Safety Issues In The New Era”, For the Defense, The Defense Research Institute
• “Who is Still Disabled Under The Americans with Disabilities Act?” The Job Description, The Defense Research Institute
• “Infertility Issues In the Workplace,” The Job Description, The Defense Research, Institute
• “The EEOC’s Guidance on Employer Liability For Supervisor Harassment,” The Job Description, The Defense Research Institute

• Gomez v. United Forming, Inc., 2009 WL 3367165 (M.D.Fla. 2009)
• Grizzle v. Macon County, 2009 WL 2611319 (M.D.Ga. 2009)
• Bolden v. United Forming, Inc., 2009 WL 2423176 (M.D.Fla. 2009)
• Jordan v. Randolph County Schools, 2009 WL 2391267 (M.D.Ga. 2009)
• United Forming, Inc. v. Florida Unemployment Appeal Com’n, 10 So.3d 691 (2009)
• Kuritzky v. Emory University, 294 Ga.App. 370 (2008)
• Whitner v. Emory University, 2008 WL 4224407 (N.D.Ga. 2008)
• Echols v. Home Depot U.S.A., Inc. 208 Fed.Appx. 747 (11th Cir. 2006)
• Bethel v. Porterfield, 293 F.Supp.2d 1307 (S.D.Ga. 2003)
• Adler v. Wallace Computer Services, Inc., 202 F.R.D. 666 (N.D.Ga. 2001)
• Montero v. AGCO Corp., 192 F.3d 856 (9th Cir. 1999)
• Johnson v. AGCO Corp., 159 F.3d 1114 (8th Cir. 1998)

• State Bar of Georgia – Member
• State Bar of Florida – Member
• American Bar Association, Section on Labor and Employment Law – Member
• Defense Research Institute, Employment Law Committee and Steering Committee – Member
• Atlanta Bar Association – Member
• Federal Bar Association – Member
• Society for Human Resource Management – Member
• Georgia School Boards Association – Member

• The Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers, 2023–2026

• “Avoiding Employment Risks,” Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, Human Resource Management Association
• “10 Most Common Mistakes in FLSA Compliance,” Southeast Human Resource Conference and Exhibition, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
• “Electronic Information in the Workplace: Do You Know What Is On Your Computer?,” 18th Annual SHRM-Atlanta Human Resource Conference, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
• “You’re Not Just a Law Firm: Proactive Ways to Avoid Adding ‘I Got Sued’ to Your List of Accomplishments,” Defense Research Institute, Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois
• “When A Big Bad Wolf Can Cost You A Million Dollars – Mock Sexual Harassment Trial,” Southeast Human Resource Conference and Exhibition, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
• “Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow: Conducting Internal Investigations and Subsequent Litigation,” International Municipal Lawyers Association 70th Annual Conference, Savannah, Georgia
• “Safeguard Against Sexual Harassment,” National Business Institute, Preventing Employee Lawsuits Through Compliance With Georgia Human Resources Law
• “How To Conduct A Public Sector Workplace Investigation,” Council On Education In Management
• “Tips for Protecting Your Organization During Federal and State Audits and Investigations,” Council On Education In Management
• “Grasping the Complexities of New FLSA Overtime Regulations to Ensure Full Compliance: Who Qualifies as Exempt? (Deciphering the New DOL Final Rule Revisions),” Council On Education In Management
• “How To Investigate And Remedy A Sexual Harassment Or Discrimination Complaint: Taking The Appropriate Precautions When Investigating These Volatile Issues,” Council On Education In Management
• “Anatomy of a Discrimination Lawsuit from Both Sides: Plaintiff and Defense Attorneys Square Off on Employment Litigation Issues,” Council On Education In Management
• “Compiling Essential Documentation And Gathering Key Evidence To Support ‘Not Undermine’ Your Investigation,” Council On Education In Management
• “The Nuts & Bolts of ADA and FMLA,” Defense Research Institute, Annual Employment Law Conference, Chicago, Illinois
• “Stopping the Chronically Absent Employee: Controlling Absenteeism and Return to Work Under the FMLA and ADA,” Southeast Human Resource Conference and Exhibition, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
• “Tips for Successful Snooping on Employees,” Southeast Human Resource Conference and Exhibition, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Atlanta, Georgia
• “Top Ten Preventive Personnel Policies For Law Firms,” Association For Legal Administrators, Atlanta Chapter Speaker Series
• “Handling Discipline and Discharge Issues for Public Employers,” Georgia Sheriffs’ Association Command Staff Conference, Macon, Georgia
• “Stopping the Chronically Absent Employee: Controlling Absenteeism and Return to Work Under the FMLA and the ADA,” Southeast Human Resource Conference & Exposition, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Atlanta, Georgia
• “Discipline, Discharge and Sexual Harassment in the Workplace,” Georgia Nursing Home Association, Annual Conference, Jacksonville, Florida
• “The Pain You Will Never Know: Return To Work and Termination Issues Under the ADA, FMLA, Worker’s Compensation Laws,” Lorman Education Services, Atlanta, Georgia
• “Monitoring Employee Conduct and Investigating Employees’ Backgrounds,” Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM – Athens Chapter), Athens, Georgia
• “Investigating Complaints,” Georgia Nursing Home Association, Annual Convention, Atlanta, Georgia