ogletree.com
Phone: 404-870-1742
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.

Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters. Premier client service, as outlined in the firm’s Client Pledge, is one of the firm’s top priorities and a cornerstone of its core values. U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” has named Ogletree Deakins a “Law Firm of the Year” for six consecutive years. In 2017, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its “Law Firm of the Year” in the Labor Law-Management category. Ogletree Deakins has 800 attorneys located in 50 offices across the United States and in Europe, Canada, and Mexico. The firm represents a diverse range of clients, from small businesses to Fortune 50 companies.

Premier client service is a firm tradition and remains our top priority.

Our attorneys pledge to:

  • Understand your business and objectives.
  • Focus on and anticipate your needs.
  • Collaborate to develop creative business solutions.
  • Harness technology and innovation to better serve your interests.
  • Communicate in a timely and effective manner.
  • Provide quality representation with exceptional value.
Associate
David’s practice is focused on litigation and counseling related to employment and labor law. His experience includes representing employers in disputes in state and federal court,…
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Of Counsel

Shirin Aboujawde graduated from Boston University in 2004, followed by Saint John’s University School of Law in 2007. She was admitted to practice in New York shortly thereafter. Following…
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Associate
Carmen Aguado is an associate in the firm’s Los Angeles office, and her practice focuses on defending employers in single plaintiff employment matters filed in state and federal court.…
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Shareholder
Vic Albert’s practice focuses on all aspects of trial law with particular experience in the areas of labor and employment trials, insurance defense bad faith trials and trucking defense…
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Partner
Jean-Marc Albiol is the co-founding Partner of the Paris office of Ogletree Deakins. He provides strategic advice on numerous complex and sensitive matters including mergers &…
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Associate
In the ever-changing and challenging immigration climate, employers and foreign nationals face a constantly evolving landscape of immigration law. Practicing immigration law requires a new…
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Of Counsel
Cara Barrick is Of Counsel in the firm’s San Francisco office.  She has extensive experience representing businesses of all sizes in employment law compliance issues, including counseling…
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Shareholder
Jazmyn is a shareholder in the Cleveland office at Ogletree Deakins. She is an experienced management-side labor attorney advising clients in all aspects of labor and employment law, with a…
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Of Counsel
Katie Bayt is a trusted legal advisor, providing employers with collaborative, practical solutions to address their legal challenges.  Katie currently serves as Of Counsel in the…
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Managing Director
Joseph (“Joe”) Beachboard is a nationally recognized expert on labor and employment law issues who joined Ogletree Deakins in 2001.  He helps employers avoid work-related legal exposure,…
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Counsel
Anja Becher is counsel in Ogletree Deakins’ Berlin office. She advises national and international clients on all aspects of German individual and collective employment law as well as…
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Of Counsel
Lucy defends employers and management in a wide array of litigation matters with a particular emphasis on employment and civil rights litigation. She is skilled at litigating complex cases…
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Shareholder
Richard Carrigan is an enthusiastic litigator in state and federal courts as well as before administrative agencies. He tries jury and bench trials in federal districts throughout Alabama,…
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Shareholder
Joseph B. Cartafalsa represents management in all aspects of labor and employment law and related litigation. He frequently represents and advises employers on their rights and obligations…
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Of Counsel
Chris is Board Certified in labor and employment law by the Florida Bar. Chris devotes himself to helping employers faced with the risks of Fair Labor Standards Act collective action and…
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Of Counsel
Martha I. Casillas has extensive experience in employment law, as she has defended both major corporate clients and government agencies through every stage of potential and actual disputes…
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Of Counsel
Elvige Cassard (formerly Richards), maintains an extensive practice in the area of labor and employment law through pro-active advices to and legal representation of employers, including…
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Associate
O. Iván Andrade Castelan joined Ogletree Deakins in February 2018, in which he developed professionally as a law clerk for 3 years. Prior to joining Ogletree Deakins, he worked during 1…
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Shareholder
Lara de Leon represents employers of all sizes in all aspects of employment law, including employment litigation and counseling.  She has extensive experience defending clients in federal…
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Associate
*Currently licensed in the District of Columbia only. Practice limited to federal immigration law.
Trey DeBrine is an associate in the Raleigh office of Ogletree Deakins focusing on…
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Associate
Caroline is an associate in the Toronto office of Ogletree Deakins. Caroline also completed summer student and articling terms at the firm.
Caroline is developing a broad labour and…
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Shareholder
Byrne Decker is the Office Managing Shareholder in the firm’s Portland, Maine office. Byrne has one of the most extensive ERISA/employee benefits litigation defense practices in the nation…
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Shareholder
Mr. Deer is currently serving his second term as a member of the Firm’s Board of Directors. Mr. Deer represents management in a variety of employment-related matters, including litigation…
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Shareholder
Dara DeHaven is an advisor and advocate for management. She advises clients in developing, implementing and monitoring employment policies, practices, and preventive maintenance programs to…
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Of Counsel
Pascale Ernst is a lawyer specializing in the field of social security, employee benefits, and pension law. She has a double legal education in France and the United States.
She joined…
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Associate
Brodie is an associate in the firm’s Raleigh, North Carolina office. In his practice he litigates matters seeking injunctive and equitable relief related to restrictive covenants (including…
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Associate
Ana Paula Delsol Espada joined Ogletree Deakins in September of 2014. Previously, she worked in private practice at a leading law firm in Mexico City with the Labor, Social Security and…
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Shareholder
Rick Etter is a Shareholder at Ogletree Deakins' Pittsburgh office. Rick is an experienced counselor and trial attorney who works collaboratively with in-house counsel, human resources…
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Ms. Evans focuses her practice on both employment litigation and preventative counseling.  In her practice, she defends employers in single-plaintiff discrimination matters, charges of…
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Of Counsel
Ms. Ewalt is an advocate for employers. She counsels management on employee discipline and discharge decisions. Ms. Ewalt defends employers against allegations of race, age, gender, sexual…
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Of Counsel
Jeanne is a member of the employee benefits and executive compensation group.  Jeanne focuses her practice on issues concerning health and welfare benefits, including Section 125 cafeteria…
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Associate
Cameron O. Flynn has secured successful outcomes at trial, mediation, and dispositive motion. He collaborates with employers to provide all aspects of employment litigation services in a…
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Associate
*Currently licensed in Washington only.
Grant is a graduate of Harvard Law School, where he served as a project leader for the Harvard Law and Entrepreneurship project and a member of the…
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Associate
Joey focuses on a wide variety of business immigration matters, including nonimmigrant work visas, intracompany transfers, immigrant visa petitions, consulate processing, and employer-…
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Associate
Margaret Foss is a first-year associate in the Chicago office of Ogletree Deakins. Margaret’s practice focuses on a wide range of practice areas. She has experience assisting clients with…
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Associate
Tiaundra Foster defends employers of all sizes against employment-related claims. Mrs. Foster is an experienced litigator with expertise in handling a wide range of employment claims,…
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Shareholder
Mr. Garland practices all facets of labor and employment law. Mr. Garland’s labor law practice includes union avoidance counseling and campaigns, elections, objections to elections, R-Case…
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Associate
Vanessa represents employers in all phases of employment-related disputes and litigation. She defends claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act,…
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Editor, Firm Publications
KyraAnne Gates is a Legal Editor of Firm Publications, working on the firm’s print and online legal publications and content. KyraAnne’s editorial responsibilities include editing the firm’…
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Shareholder
The verdict is in: Scott Gedeon gets great trial results for his clients.
He has spent his career defending the rights of companies—from small family held businesses to Fortune 500 global…
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Associate
Stephanie was born and raised in Plantation, Florida. She graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Telecommunication from University of Florida where she focused on sports broadcasting. She…
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Office Managing Shareholder
John Gerak focuses his practice on employment counseling, including employment policies and practices, reductions in force, executive hires/terminations, and issues arising out of mergers…
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Shareholder
Scott counsels employers on all aspects of their employment relationships to achieve their organizational goals while avoiding litigation whenever possible.  In doing so, Scott takes a…
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Shareholder


Greg Hare has been an employment lawyer at Ogletree Deakins his entire career, ever since 1991. He assists companies with human resources and employment-related litigation matters,…
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Associate
Colin is an associate in the Minneapolis office of Ogletree Deakins. Colin graduated from the University of St. Thomas School of Law, where he earned Dean’s List honors several times and…
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Associate
Andrew represents employers in all types of employment litigation in both federal and state courts, in labor and employment arbitration proceedings, as well as before various administrative…
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Associate
Lauren Debra Harrington is an associate in the Detroit (Metro) office. She concentrates her practice on employment litigation in all areas of labor and employment law, including disputes…
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Associate
Atoyia Harris practices labor and employment litigation. Prior to joining Ogletree Deakins in 2016, Atoyia successfully defended matters and assisted clients on wide variety of litigation…
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Associate
*Currently licensed in California only.
Jaslyn represents and advises employers on workplace safety and health matters.  Her practice includes providing guidance on federal and state OSHA…
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Of Counsel
Mark A. Johnson has a wide range of experience representing businesses in matters involving labor and employment law. Mark has represented employers in hundreds of cases in federal and…
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Shareholder
Matthew K. Johnson is a shareholder in the Greenville office and represents employers in all aspects of employment and labor law before state and federal agencies and in state and federal…
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Shareholder
Tim specializes in employment class and representative actions. Since helping start the San Diego office in 2013, he has handled more than 150 such actions in federal and California courts…
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Associate
Phillip’s practice is focused on labor and employment litigation. He represents employers in matters related to harassment, discrimination, retaliation, leave and accommodations, and wage-…
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Shareholder
Rayna Jones has spent her entire career representing and counseling employers on all aspects of employment law. Rayna focuses on providing employers with practical advice for effectively…
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Of Counsel
Exclusively representing employers in matters relating to OSHA and other health and safety laws; the full range of state and federal employment laws including relating to discrimination,…
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Of Counsel
Matthew (“Matt”) Kelley received his J.D. from the Indiana University-Bloomington School of Law in 2008. While attending Indiana University-Bloomington Mr. Kelley served as the Executive…
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Associate
Kara practices primarily employment-based immigration, assisting businesses and individuals with obtaining nonimmigrant and immigrant visas for foreign nationals. Kara previously worked at…
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Shareholder
Scott Kelly provides practical solutions for federal contractors and subcontractors across the United States to comply with the ever-changing affirmative action obligations imposed by doing…
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Associate
Stephen advises clients across various industries on payroll and fringe benefit taxes. He advises on taxes that arise from the employer and employee relationship, particularly Federal…
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Associate
Ashley Kerr grew up in Columbia and has been a lifelong resident of South Carolina. She is a 2010 graduate of Princeton University, where she majored in Political Science. She earned her…
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Associate
Eric Lee is an attorney in the Cross-Border Practice Group of Ogletree Deakins and is based in the firm’s New York City office. As a full-time member of the group, Eric is part of a growing…
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Articling Student
Michael is an Articling Student in the Toronto office of Ogletree Deakins.
Michael holds a Juris Doctor from Western University and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Law and Legal Studies from…
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Associate
Theodore (Ted) Lee represents employers primarily in workplace safety and health (OSHA) matters, including initial OSHA inspections, administrative appeal (trial) of OSHA citations, and…
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Associate
Kim Lehman represents management in all aspects of employment law and focuses her practice in the area of employment litigation. Ms. Lehman has experience representing management in a wide…
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Associate
Lauren Lenhart represents businesses in workplace safety and health (OSHA) issues. She litigates OSHA cases, represents employers during government inspections and investigations, and…
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Office Managing Shareholder
Erika is the Office Managing Shareholder for the Austin office of Ogletree Deakins. Erika has successfully represented clients in dozens of wage and hour class and collective actions, as…
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Shareholder
Mark Mallery is the Founding Shareholder of the firm’s office in New Orleans, where he has practiced labor and employment law for over thirty years.
A problem-solver for employers, Mark has…
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Associate
Andrew’s expertise includes assisting and defending employers against allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage-and-hour violations under state and federal law.  He…
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Shareholder
Ms. Mandel is a shareholder in the Boston office. She focuses her practice on employment litigation, and represents employers in a broad range of employment matters before state and federal…
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Associate
Ms. Manjarrez is an attorney in the Chicago office of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C., where she assists management in a variety of labor and employment matters. Prior to…
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Immigration Practice Group Writer
Melissa Manna is an Immigration Practice Group Writer. Her primary focus is writing and editing legal articles relating to immigration for the firm’s online and print publications, websites…
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Of Counsel
Miguel works closely with both large multinational corporations and individuals to strategize the most successful pathways to accomplish their immigration goals.  In so doing, he balances…
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Associate
Molly is an associate in the Minneapolis office of Ogletree Deakins. Molly graduated cum laude from Hamline University School of Law, where she also earned her Dean’s List honors and a…
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Associate
Stephanie C. Ng joined Ogletree Deakins in 2019. Her practice is concentrated on ERISA and benefits matters, with a focus on health, life, and disability litigation. Stephanie has handled a…
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Shareholder
Rob Niccolini is co-chair of the firm's Healthcare Practice Group. He represents management in employment litigation and labor disputes, with special experience in the health care,…
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Shareholder
Ms. Nichols is an attorney with 10 years of experience counseling and defending employers. She has an active advice practice, partnering with clients to develop and implement national and…
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attorney
Ms. Nielsen is a member of the employee benefits and executive compensation group.  She has worked extensively in the areas of executive compensation arrangements, equity compensation and…
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Associate

Gwen Nightengale advises and represents management on workplace safety and health issues before federal enforcement agencies.
Gwen graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor of…
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Associate
Melissa Ortega is an attorney in the Chicago office of Ogletree Deakins, where she assists employers in a variety of labor and employment matters arising under both state and federal laws.…
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Associate
Jackie Otfinoski counsels clients on employment-based visa sponsorships and related business immigration matters. Her experience includes managing and preparing visa sponsorship petitions…
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Associate
Sam is an associate in the Cleveland office of Ogletree Deakins.
A graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Law, cum laude, Sam received a concentration in health law, with…
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Of Counsel
Ms. O’Gara works with private, not-for-profit, publicly traded, and governmental employers with the plan design and implementation of qualified retirement plans, including 401(k) plans,…
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Of Counsel
Since 1984, Mr. Paxton has tried over thirty cases involving most aspects of employment including age, sex and race discrimination; medical leave and whistleblowers for employers, insurers…
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Of Counsel
Bill Payne has devoted his entire law career to litigating employment-related disputes in state and federal court and counseling clients on workplace matters.  With a background as a local…
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Counsel
Nicolas Peixoto serves as counsel in the the Ogletree Deakins Paris office. He specializes in employment and social security law and his practice has led him to work on all employment law…
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Associate
Phil brings multiple years of experience working with companies to find creative solutions to solve problems. Before law school, Phil worked in a project management role in the construction…
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Associate
Kelly M. Peña is an associate attorney in the Miami office of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. Ms. Peña’s practice focuses primarily on employment litigation.  Ms. Peña…
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Associate
Mr. Penkert graduated from the University of Florida in 2007. He received his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School in 2010. In 2011, Mr. Penkert graduated from the University of…
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Shareholder
Kevin has 20 years’ experience as a civil litigator with a current emphasis on defending management in wage and hour class action cases where he continues to work as lead defense counsel…
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Associate
Brandon Reeves is an associate attorney in the Portland office focusing on employment litigation and counseling. Prior to joining Ogletree Deakins, Brandon gained extensive experience as a…
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Associate
Rebecka Reibe is an associate attorney in the Raleigh office of Ogletree Deakins. Her practice focuses on employment-based immigration matters.
Rebecka’s interest in immigration law stems…
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Associate
Steve Reid counsels and represents employers in a broad range of labor and employment matters arising under federal and state laws.
Steve graduated from the University of Denver Sturm…
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Associate
Sophie Reimann joined the Berlin office of Ogletree Deakins as an attorney in July 2022. She advises national and international clients on all aspects of labor and employment law.
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Shareholder
Ms. Reisdorff concentrates her law practice in the labor and employment arena in the exclusive representation of management.  She advises and defends clients with regard to all aspects of…
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Office Managing Shareholder
Bob is a seasoned litigator and trial attorney who represents clients on all aspects of labor and employment law.  He has taken numerous cases to winning verdict in jury trials, arbitration…
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Of Counsel
Ms. Sati has provided immigration-related advice to Fortune Global 500 companies in the multimedia, beverage and automobile manufacturing industries. In addition, she has counseled finance…
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Shareholder
Diane Saunders is a Shareholder in the Boston office. Ms. Saunders is the Co-Chair of the firm’s Retail Practice Group, and a member of the firm’s Steering Committees for the Class Action…
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Associate
Jessica Schild is an associate in the New York City office where she represents management in all aspects of litigation, including class and collective wage and hour actions, discrimination…
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Shareholder
Mr. Schlueter is a strategic advocate and litigator for businesses in employment (including discrimination, retaliation, wage & hour, ADA, FMLA etc.) and unfair competition matters (…
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Associate


Abbie Schmadeke is a labor and employment associate in the firm’s Atlanta office. Abbie graduated with honors from Emory University School of Law where she served as the Executive…
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Of Counsel
With years of experience representing employers, Jessica has developed the ability to quickly assess the strengths and weaknesses of cases and respond to the needs of clients. Jessica has…
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Shareholder
Charles L. Thompson IV counsels and defends employers in wrongful termination, discrimination, and other employment-related matters.  These areas include trade secrets and unfair…
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Associate
Emma is an associate in Ogletree Deakins’ London office. She provides commercial and pragmatic advice and assists employers with contentious and non-contentious matters.
Emma was admitted…
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Associate
Matt Thorne's practice focuses exclusively on occupational safety and health law. He counsels employers in numerous areas of OSHA regulatory compliance, namely, process safety management (…
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Counsel
Kendra Thornton is Counsel in the Greenville office and has practiced employment law as an attorney or human resources leader since 2003. Kendra graduated from Clemson University, receiving…
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Associate
Corey Thrush’s practice focuses on employment counseling as well as employment and general business litigation. She counsels clients on a wide range of employment issues and represents…
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Shareholder
Aaron Warshaw is an experienced, attorney who represents a diverse array of clients in labor and employment matters.  He is one of the founding attorneys of the New York City office.  Aaron…
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Shareholder
Liz Washko is a Shareholder in the Nashville office and the co-chair of the firm’s Pay Equity practice group. Ms. Washko represents management in a wide variety of employment matters both…
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Of Counsel
Suzanne Watson partners with employers of all sizes on a full range of labor and employment issues. Suzanne is an experienced and strategic litigator and devotes a substantial amount of her…
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Shareholder
Keith Watts is a founding shareholder of the firm's Orange County office.  Keith practices exclusively labor and employment law and has handled a wide variety of matters, including sexual…
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Associate
Valerie L. Weiss represents and advises management from a wide-range of industries, including hospitality, manufacturing, pharmaceutical and non-profit agencies, among others, in connection…
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Associate
Nicole Welch is an associate in the New York City office.  Ms. Welch has considerable experience litigating employment discrimination disputes, including matters arising under Title VII,…
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The National Law Review names Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. a 2022 Go-To Thought Leader for their coverage of coronavirus news in Ontario, Canada. Authors Michael Comartin and Gloria Ilunga detailed the complicated state of Ontario’s COVID-19 testing and lockdown guidance, including the landscape surrounding mandatory remote work, gathering limits, capacity limits, and more. The article saw upwards of 35,000 readers, demonstrating the ongoing importance and widespread need for thought leadership addressing COVID rules and regulations.

 

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