Fred W. Suggs, Jr. Appointed Secretary of South Carolina Bar

GREENVILLE – February 6, 2006 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), the nation’s third largest labor and employment law firm, is pleased to announce that Fred W. Suggs, Jr., has been elected Secretary of the South Carolina Bar. Mr. Suggs has been a member of the Bar since 1976 and has served in a variety of leadership positions, including Labor and Employment Law Section Chairman (1988-89), Labor and Employment Law Specialization Advisory Board Member (1989-91), Labor and Employment Law Section Delegate to the House of Delegates (1991-92, 1995-98), Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Representative to the House of Delegates (1998-2004), Professional Responsibility Committee Chairman (1995-2000), Board of Governors Member (2001), and House of Delegates Chairman (2004 – Present).

“My involvement with the Bar over the years has been an extremely rewarding experience. The Bar provides a valuable resource for the legal community and offers numerous services aimed at enriching the professional development of lawyers across the state” said Suggs.  “I have been inspired by a large number of fellow members of the Greenville Bar who have selflessly served our State Bar and all eventually served as president.  These attorneys include:  E.P. Riley, Leo Hill, David Freeman, Jim Parham, J.D. Todd, my fellow Firm Member Knox Haynsworth, John Johnston, my Sunday School classmate John Hagins, David Merline, Dewey Oxner, and current President Danny White.  I am honored to be a part of the Bar Association and look forward to serving as Secretary in 2006.”

Gray Geddie, managing shareholder of Ogletree Deakins adds, “Fred has been very involved in the South Carolina Bar for the last 18 years, and we are delighted he has been selected to serve in this new role for the Bar. He is a very dedicated and capable lawyer, and his skills and experience will greatly benefit the Bar and its members.”

Mr. Suggs is a shareholder in the firm’s Greenville office and is a certified specialist in labor and employment law. He has extensive experience advising clients on preventive measures to avoid formal charges and lawsuits, handling union campaigns, negotiating collective bargaining agreements, representing clients before the National Labor Relations Board and the United States Courts of Appeals, and handling discrimination cases.

About Ogletree Deakins

Ogletree Deakins first began its practice in Greenville, South Carolina and Atlanta, Georgia in 1977. Since then, the firm has grown to over 300 attorneys and has more than 40 lawyers in Greenville who serve the South Carolina employer community.  With a total of 24 locations across the country, Ogletree Deakins is the third largest labor and employment law firm in the United States. In addition to handling labor and employment law matters, the firm has thriving practices focused on business immigration, employee benefits, and workplace safety and health law.  Ogletree Deakins represents a diverse range of clients, including more than half of the Fortune 50 corporations in the U.S.

For more information, please contact Karen Gonzales, communications manager, at 210-277-3606.