Sunshine R. Fellows is a Partner and Office Co-Chair in the Pittsburgh office of Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP and a member of the Firm’s Labor & Employment Law practice section. Ms. Fellows actively contributes to many interdisciplinary teams at FMG that focus on employment law matters. She is also Co-Chair of the Midwest Employment practice team and part of the Firm’s Executive Committee. Ms. Fellows has spent her entire legal career focusing her practice on various aspects of workplace law, having represented and advised management clients in the area of labor and employment law for nearly twenty-five years. She regularly defends employers in state and federal court litigation and administrative proceedings arising out of all aspects of the employment relationship. Her litigation practice includes providing representation to employers in both single-plaintiff and class action matters involving claims relating to discrimination, retaliation, employment at-will, restrictive covenants, wrongful discharge, protected leaves of absence, breach of contract, defamation, ERISA-related issues, breach of fiduciary duty and fraud before various judicial and administrative tribunals, including federal and state courts throughout Pennsylvania and West Virginia and government agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and the City of Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations. Ms. Fellows also has extensive experience representing employers in state and federal wage and hour class and collective action litigation.

In addition to her litigation defense practice, Ms. Fellows also has specialized expertise in a wide array of employee relations and human resources issues. She routinely provides management clients with guidance designed to minimize the risk of employment-related legal action. Her proactive and preventative advice and counseling practice includes the development, evaluation and implementation of personnel policies and employee relations procedures to assist employers in maintaining compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws, as well as managing employee misconduct and complaint investigations. Ms. Fellows also creates and presents training programs for executives, supervisors and human resource professionals in areas such as employee handbooks and workplace policies, preventing discrimination and harassment, conducting employee investigations, and handling terminations and other corrective disciplinary actions. Ms. Fellows is admitted to practice before the Pennsylvania and West Virginia Supreme Courts, as well as various federal courts throughout the country, including the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the United States District Courts for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the Northern District of West Virginia, the Southern District of West Virginia, the Northern District of Illinois, the Eastern District of Michigan and the Western District of Michigan. She is a member of the American, Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Bar Associations. Ms. Fellows has also authored many publications regarding employment law topics.

Ms. Fellows earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where she graduated, cum laude, in 2001, and served as a Research Editor for the University of Pittsburgh Law Review. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Fellows received her Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1998.

Pennsylvania State Courts

United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania 

United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia

United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia

United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan

United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania

United States Supreme Court

West Virginia State Courts

• “A measured shift in Title VI enforcement: what employers and HR leaders should know,” FMG BlogLine
• “Anti-American bias in the spotlight: EEOC targets immigration related employment practices,” FMG BlogLine
• “With great innovation comes great responsibility: AI, digital workforces, and emerging employment risks,” FMG BlogLine
• “Third Circuit clarifies FLSA settlements: Employers can include FLSA releases in opt-out class actions,” FMG BlogLine
• “Intent over negligence: Sixth Circuit redefines employer liability for customer harassment,” FMG BlogLine
• “Employers receiving federal funds face renewed scrutiny of DEI and anti-bias programs,” FMG BlogLine
• “Trump moves to restore quorum on National Labor Relations Board,” FMG BlogLine
• “Recent amendments to Pittsburgh’s Paid Sick Days Act expand employee protections,” FMG BlogLine
• “Federal judge invalidates DOL salary threshold changes,” FMG BlogLine
• “Pittsburgh ordinance prohibits discrimination on basis of medical marijuana use,” FMG BlogLine
• “Here’s a tip: Fifth Circuit vacates DOL’s 80/20 tip credit rule,” FMG BlogLine
• “ABA issues formal guidance for lawyers’ use of generative AI,” FMG BlogLine
• “U.S. Chamber of Commerce and business groups file lawsuit challenging FTC noncompete ban,” FMG BlogLine
• “The FTC votes to ban most Non-Compete Agreements – significant legal challenges expected,” FMG BlogLine
• “DOL releases final rule increasing salary threshold for overtime eligibility,” FMG BlogLine
• “Second Circuit illuminates pretext prong of McDonnell-Douglas burden-shifting framework,” FMG BlogLine

• Obtained defense verdict at federal jury trial on behalf of employee accused of sexual assault;
• Obtained defense verdict at federal jury trial on behalf of aircraft leasing company where plaintiff claimed constructive discharge, sexual harassment, and assault and battery;
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of mechanical contractor in suit alleging race discrimination, retaliation, and hostile work environment harassment;
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of concrete and building materials supplier in suit alleging workers’ compensation retaliation and discrimination on the basis of a perceived disability;
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of mine contracting corporation in collective litigation brought under Fair Labor Standards Act;
• Defeated conditional and final collective action certification and Rule 23 class certification in numerous wage and hour lawsuits;
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of prestigious regional law firm in shareholder’s discrimination/retaliation action, and successfully defended entry of summary judgment through appellate process, culminating in denial of petition for writ of certiorari by United States Supreme Court;
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of major Pittsburgh health system in former employee’s age, national origin, and religious discrimination/retaliation action, and successfully defended entry of summary judgment through Third Circuit appeal;
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of regional healthcare system in terminated employee’s FMLA interference and retaliation action, and successfully defended entry of summary judgment through Third Circuit appeal;
• Successfully defended employers in countless unemployment compensations hearings and before the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review;
• Effectively defended numerous administrative discrimination charges and complaints, resulting in no probable cause determinations from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and the West Virginia Human Rights Commission;
• Successfully negotiated numerous low nuisance value settlements on behalf of defendant employers in discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination lawsuits;
• Litigated and negotiated favorable settlements in multiple FLSA collective action cases.

• American Bar Association
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Allegheny County Bar Association
• Society for Human Resource Management
• Professional Liability Underwriting Society
• Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
• Pittsburgh Human Resources Association
• Insurance Club of Pittsburgh
• Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber of Commerce

• 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America^®
  • Litigation – Labor and Employment

• “Key Employment Law Developments in 2025,” Pittsburgh Human Resources Association, November 2025
• “The Impact of the Anti-DEI Movement on Risk and Insurance,” EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants Webinar, May 2025
• “Navigating Labor Policy Changes in 2025: What Employers Should Expect During the Second Trump Administration,” FMG Webinar, May 2025
• “Adverse Employment Actions: Ever Expanding Scope,” Employment Practices Liability Insurance ExecuSummit, Naples, Florida, April 2025
• “Everything You Need to Know About Leaves of Absence Due to Mental Health,” FMG Webinar, October 2023
• “Strategies for Settling Employment Disputes,” FMG Hybrid Seminar, October 2023
• Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s Employment Law Institute West, Developments in LGBT Employment Rights, Pittsburgh, PA, November 2019
• Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s Employment Law Institute West, NLRB Scrutiny of Employee Handbook Policies Relaxed – GC Memo Provides Updated Guidance on Common Employer Work Rules, Pittsburgh, PA, November 2018
• Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s Employment Law Institute West, Top 10 Ways to Legally Hire the Best Employees, Pittsburgh, PA, November 2017
• Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s Employment Law Institute West, Guidance on Pre-Employment Background Screening: Structuring Policies to Comply with Title VII, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and State Laws, Pittsburgh, PA, November 2014
• American Conference Institute’s National Forum on Wage & Hour Claims and Class Actions, Views from the Plaintiffs’ Bar: Adapting Your Strategies to New and Innovative Techniques and Tactics, Miami, FL and Los Angeles, CA, September 2014 and January, 2014
• Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s Employment Law Institute West, The Hidden Costs of ‘Free’ Labor: Be Aware of Labor Laws Before You Decide to Hire an Unpaid Intern, Pittsburgh, PA, November 2013
• Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Basics of Employment Law: Privacy and Social Media, Pittsburgh, PA, June 2013
• Private Seminar, How to Remain Legally Compliant with the FMLA & Still Manage Your Business, Pittsburgh, PA, September 2011
• Private Seminar, The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act & GINA ‘s Effect on Absence Management, Pittsburgh, PA, September 2011
• Private Seminar, Social Networking Rights, Responsibilities & Policies in the Workplace, Pittsburgh, PA, April 2010
• Private Seminar, Preventive Strategies to Avoid Harassment & Discrimination in the Workplace, Pittsburgh, PA, October 2009
• Lorman Education Services, Drug Testing in the Workplace, Pittsburgh, PA, September 2007
• Lorman Education Services, Writing Job Descriptions & Compensation Analysis, Pittsburgh, PA, August 2007
• Lorman Education Services, Practical & Legal Issues of Employee Wellness Programs, Pittsburgh, PA, March 2007
• Lorman Education Services, Employee Handbooks: Everything You Need to Know to Keep Out of Trouble in Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, PA, November 2006
• Private Seminar, Avoiding Headaches in FMLA Administration: Managing Employee Leave, Pittsburgh, PA, July 2004
• Lorman Education Services, Construction Projects & the Americans with Disabilities Act, Pittsburgh, PA, March 2003
• ADP Institute for Educational Excellence, Writing & Implementing Effective Employee Handbooks & Human Resource Policies, Pittsburgh, PA, May 2002
• Western Pennsylvania Association for Corporation Counsel, Waiver & Release of Rights under Federal Employment Discrimination Statutes, Pittsburgh, PA, February 2002
• ADP Institute for Educational Excellence, Interplay between Workers’ Compensation Laws, the FMLA & the ADA, Pittsburgh, PA, December 2001