John D. Surma has joined Fisher Phillips in Houston, where he will focus his practice on workplace safety, regulatory compliance and catastrophe management matters, according to a news release.
Before joining Fishes Phillips, Surma practiced at Ogletree, where he represented employers in workplace safety and health matters nationwide. He advised companies on the interpretation and application of OSHA standards, developed compliance programs and risk management strategies, and defended clients in regulatory investigations and enforcement actions. Over 12 years, he served as a partner and special counsel at three different firms. Before that, he was Senior Trial Counsel at Germer Gertz in Beaumont for almost nine years.
“We are thrilled to welcome a partner of John’s caliber as the firm continues its growth here in Texas,” said Emily Harbison, regional managing partner of the firm’s Houston office, in the release. “John’s extensive workplace safety experience will bolster what our Texas team can offer in connection with the firm’s talented nationwide bench of workplace safety attorneys.” Harbison was at Reed Smith for nearly four years, and practiced at Baker McKenzie for 14 years prior to that, before being hired by Fisher Phillips in June.
AREAS OF FOCUS
Surma focuses on workplace safety and health compliance, including OSHA and MSHA matters, regulatory investigations, inspections and enforcement actions. His practice also includes catastrophe management, defending employers in high-stakes litigation arising from workplace incidents and advising on risk management and regulatory compliance across industries such as energy, construction and manufacturing.
EDUCATION
University of Wisconsin- Platteville (BS, 1992)
University of Wisconsin Law School (JD, 1994)