Best Lawyers in America for Litigation - Labor and Employment

Leslie Abbott is a partner in the Los Angeles Employment Law Department of Paul Hastings LLP, where she has practiced since 1991. She previously served as Global Employment Law Department Vice Chair-West Coast, and Chair of the Los Angeles Employment Law Department. Her practice includes the representation of employers in all aspects of employment law. Ms. Abbott is Chair of the firm’s PAGA Practice Group. She focuses her practice on defending complex class, collective and representativ...

Michael Abcarian is the managing partner of the Dallas office of Fisher Phillips. In addition to national recognition as an elite labor lawyer, Michael is an exceptional defense trial lawyer with a track record to prove it. Michael represents employers in many complex lawsuits, some with “bet the company” and/or precedent-setting implications. These have included class actions and multiple-plaintiff cases. He often surprises clients with early, knock-out wins even when lengthy tri...

Sheila Willis is committed to finding practical, real world solutions to her clients’ employment law needs. She represents companies—large and small—as they navigate employment issues related to hiring, discipline, investigations, employment discrimination, unemployment, and other related issues. Sheila provides guidance to higher education institutions on Title IX Compliance and investigations She has extensive experience providing compliance advice to federal contractors o...

Ms. Acken focuses her practice in labor and employment law. She has defended numerous companies in gender, race and disability discrimination cases in state and federal court. Ms. Acken also has wide-ranging experience representing both public and private entities in EEOC claims, wage payment/overtime, wrongful termination, Davis-Bacon, and state and federal leave issues. She also currently serves as the Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Acken was ...

Mary Anne Ackourey is one of FMG’s founding attorneys and is a Partner in the Atlanta office. She is nationally known employment attorney and has been recognized by both Chambers USA and Super Lawyers. She also 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...

George Adams is a partner in the Louisville office, where his practice is exclusively devoted to advising, assisting and representing employers with labor and employment law challenges. George has helped employers defend against union organizing campaigns, unfair labor practice charges and grievances. He defends employers in state and federal courts against lawsuits alleging sexual harassment, unlawful discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour violations and violations of the Family and Medi...

Mark Adams is a partner in the Labor & Employment Practice Group. He represents employers in all types of employment matters. For more than 30 years, Mark has represented employers in disputes before federal and state courts and regulatory agencies. Drawing on the depth and breadth of his experience, he counsels employers on the development of effective human resources policies, procedures, and strategies for complying with federal and state labor and employment laws. He also works with b...

Jimmy Adams is a versatile and seasoned litigator with more than 30 years of experience in arbitrations and in federal and state courts. Jimmy represents clients on dispute and litigation issues related to noncompetition agreements, taxation, health care, professional malpractice, ERISA and estate litigation, and all types of corporate and commercial disputes. He is an accomplished litigator who is very familiar with the process, strategy and custom at the trial and appellate levels. His goal...

JoJo Adams is a partner in the Labor & Employment Practice Group. He focuses his practice on discrimination, harassment, and other employment-related litigation. JoJo has extensive experience in employee and supervisor training related to workplace conduct issues and litigating wage-and-hour collective actions. He also has experience in unfair labor practice litigation against unions and in collective bargaining negotiations. JoJo also provides daily employment advice to clients in public...

Joshua R. Adams is a principal in the Charlotte, North Carolina, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He exclusively represents employers in a broad range of employment-related litigation in both federal and state courts, as well before administrative agencies. In addition to providing employers with advice and counsel, Josh focuses his litigation practice on collective/class action wage and hour litigation and complex, single-plaintiff wage disputes across the country. He regularly advises employers...

Paul Lancaster Adams is the Managing Shareholder of Ogletree Deakins' Philadelphia office. With a strong in-house and outside counsel background, Paul brings a unique perspective and focus to his national clients. He has skillfully addressed a broad range of key employment issues critical to the modern workplace through counseling, negotiation and litigation. Paul has particular experience with employment single/multiple plaintiff and class action matters as well as wage and hour, non-compete...

Andrew M. Adelman is a Senior Associate with Correia & Puth, PLLC and represents employees in all aspects of the firm’s employment litigation practice, including sex discrimination, whistleblower retaliation, and disability discrimination. Mr. Adelman’s practice is exclusively dedicated to advocating for the rights of employees, and he regularly represents employees in discrimination, retaliation, and whistleblower cases in federal and state court. Areas of Focus Mr. Adelman h...

Brad Adler is the Practice Group Leader over FMG’s national Labor & Employment Practice Section and also serves on the Firm’s Executive Committee. Mr. Adler is a nationally recognized labor and employment lawyer that has represented employers in a diverse range of labor and employment matters in more than 26 states across the U.S. His labor and employment practice fully encompasses the issues that employers may face in managing and interacting with employees, including employm...

Stephanie L. Adler-Paindiris is a principal in the Orlando, Florida, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She is a member of the firm’s Board of Directors and serves as co-leader of the firm's Litigation practice group. Admitted to the United States Supreme Court and federal courts throughout the country, Stephanie defends class and collective actions on behalf of employers and provides legal advice and counsel to help her clients navigate today’s legal and business workplace challenges. ...

Todd Aidman devotes his practice to working with companies on a broad range of labor and employment matters. He is experienced in complex and class action litigation and regularly practices in the trial and appellate levels of federal and state courts, as well as administrative agencies such as the EEOC and DOL. Todd defends companies in a broad range of employment and labor disputes, including cases involving allegations of age, race, national origin, disability, sex discrimination, sexual a...

Named a top attorney in his field, Ben joined the firm Fishel Downey Albrecht & Riepenhoff LLP in 1999. He became a partner in 2008. Always willing to “go the extra mile,” this avid cyclist and runner has been known to join clients in a bike ride or marathon. This philosophy has earned him the respect of clients, peers and even opposing counsel. Strong Support for Municipalities Ben advises cities, townships, counties and public officials throughout Ohio on all labor and emplo...

Kristin D. Alden is a skilled litigator and fierce advocate dedicated to protecting employees’ rights in the workplace. Kristin and her firm have fought tirelessly to enforce the laws prohibiting harassment and discrimination, to protect brave employees who speak up against wrongdoing, and to compel employers to accommodate employees’ medical needs and pay them the wages they earn. Kristin manages the firm’s practice while also representing its clients from virtually every w...

Nan Alessandra represents employers in both the public and private sectors in the defense of discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims for age, gender, disability, race, religion, national origin, and other protected categories. Her litigation experience includes the defense of EEOC and other administrative charges filed through the various federal and state court agencies, as well as defense of legal claims filed at both the judicial level, as well as through the arbitration process....

Fields Alexander has won verdicts for both plaintiffs and defendants in a number of difficult venues. His success with juries has been recognized by his peers, as evidenced by his election into the International Society of Barristers, The American Board of Trial Advocates, and by his repeated recognition as one of the best lawyers in America in several practice areas. He has a national practice, and frequently appears for clients not only across Texas, but throughout the country. He has also ...

Neil M. Alexander is a shareholder at Littler Mendelson in the Phoenix office and serves as Co-Chair of the Contingent Workforce Practice Group. He is a trial attorney who regularly defends companies against claims involving: Wrongful termination Unfair competition and trade secret violations Non-competition agreements Whistleblower and retaliation Harassment and discrimination Title VII The Age Discrimination in Employment Act The Americans with Disabilities Act The Family and Medical Leave ...

Scott Allen is a principal in the Miami, Florida, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Since 1998, Scott’s legal career has been dedicated to counseling and defending employers in employment-related matters and counseling on behalf of management. He has been with Jackson Lewis since 2001. Scott represents a broad range of management clients in state and federal courts and administrative tribunals concerning all types of employment litigation, including claims of discrimination on the basis of a...

Meg Alli has focused her practice on the representation and counseling of management concerning the umbrella of employment laws and regulations affecting corporate clients, not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions. She has defended employers, schools and colleges in state and federal courts, administrative agencies and arbitration proceedings. Meg has also served as select counsel for employment practices liability insurance carriers and represented employers in wage/hour lit...

Gregory T. Alvarez is a principal in the Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He focuses his practice on employment litigation, including class and collective action cases, as well as employment law counseling. He is a member of the firm’s Hispanic-American Attorney resource group and board liaison to the firm’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. Greg joined Jackson Lewis in 1994 and has since counseled employers on complying with the law and minimi...

Ms. Amalfe is listed among the region’s leading employment lawyers by the Best Lawyers® , Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business , and New Jersey Super Lawyers . As Chair of the firm’s Employment & Labor Law Department, Ms. Amalfe manages lawyers across three of five Gibbons offices, overseeing legal, administrative, and business development functions for one of the firm’s most active business units, with clients among the world’s be...

Joe Ambash is the managing partner of the Boston office. His practice includes all aspects of employment law, including labor-management relations, employment discrimination and wrongful discharge litigation, and preventive labor relations. He also has an extensive practice training managers in all areas of employment law compliance. Joe represents management in a broad range of industries, including health care, higher education, financial services, retail, media, sports and state and local ...

Brett M. Anders is a principal in the Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He exclusively represents management in workplace law, including counseling and litigation. Brett routinely advises clients regarding day-to-day employment issues, such as employee discipline and discharge, disability management issues, reductions-in-force and restrictive covenants. He also regularly conducts training programs for employers on a variety of employment-related topics, such as perfor...

Jessica DeBono Anderson is a Partner in the Orlando, Florida office. Since 2008, Ms. Anderson has represented management in employment litigation before state and federal courts in Florida and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Florida Commission on Human Relations, Department of Labor and other administrative agencies. Ms. Anderson has experience litigating issues such as employment discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, whistleblower, overtime and unpaid wages, leave and ...

Kathleen M. Anderson, a partner of Barnes & Thornburg LLP, has been an advocate for businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the country for over 15 years. Ms. Anderson, who focuses her practice on litigation and employment law, has been recognized in the Best Lawyers in America® , Who’s Who in American Law® , and Indiana Super Lawyers®. Ms. Anderson’s litigation practice covers the full spectrum of litigation services, including pre-litigation counseling; risk and litigation management; a...

Michelle Anderson represents employers in all aspects of employment law in both state and federal courts, and before administrative agencies. Her practice focuses on representing employers against claims of unlawful discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, violations of leave and disability laws, and wage and hour related issues. Michelle also litigates and advises employers on issues arising out of employee defection, including the prosecution and defense of claims involving non-com...

Nick Andrews concentrates his practice on the representation of management in matters related to labor and employment law. Nick is adept at advising clients facing complex employment law issues, including disputes related to allegations of harassment, employment discrimination, and wage and hour violations. He has appeared on behalf of employers before state and federal courts as well as administrative agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations ...

William J. Anthony is a strategic advisor to employers on complex employment law issues and litigation matters. His thoughtful, practical and legal approach to creatively addressing his clients' needs makes him a valuable resource to them. Will focuses his labor and employment practice on class, collective, and multiparty actions, including a broad spectrum of federal and state law wage and hour claims. He has successfully defended against actions alleging misclassification of independent con...

Phil is a commercial litigator in state and federal courts. He takes pride in advising his clients on how to succeed at trial, on appeal, or how to avoid litigation altogether. Louis Armstrong, the greatest trumpet player of all time, said “never play anything the same way twice.” Phil has taken this advice to heart in his practice, advising unique clients facing distinct challenges with an individualized approach. Phil represents a diverse set of clients across a broad range of i...

GABRIEL R. ARAGON joined CDQ in 2006 and is a Partner with the firm. Gabe practices in all areas of complex commercial litigation, with particular experience in employment litigation matters and partnership disputes in the medical marijuana industry. He is active across various professional organizations, including previously serving as Chair of the Maricopa County Bar Association’s Section of Litigation. As selected by his peers, Gabe has been recognized as an AV-Preeminent attorney, a...

Nancy J. Arencibia is a principal in the Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She regularly handles all aspects of employment law. Nancy has a broad area of practice. She acts as lead counsel on all aspects of employment litigation, including claims of harassment and discrimination on the basis of gender, pregnancy, age, race, religion, national origin and disability, as well as wrongful discharge, FMLA, CEPA, invasion of privacy, defamation, breach of employment contrac...

Frank Arleo has tried scores of criminal and civil cases in courts throughout the State of New Jersey. Indeed, he has more trial experience than most of the lawyers at the largest firms in the State. Since he began practicing law in 1982, Frank has built an impressive track record as a litigator who can quickly get to the essence of the case. He is skilled at identifying the crucial issues in each case and marshalling the facts and law to his clients’ advantage, which has led him to obt...