Ogletree Deakins Opens Office in San Francisco, Strengthens West Coast Presence

ATLANTA, GA  – January 22, 2008 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the nation’s largest labor and employment law firms, announced today it has opened an office in San Francisco, bolstering its presence on the west coast. This is the firm’s 3rd office in California and 33rd office nationwide. Ogletree Deakins branched into the Golden State by launching an office in Los Angeles in 2003, followed by an office in Torrance in 2004. With the addition of the San Francisco location, Ogletree Deakins now has greater bench strength and resources to meet the growing legal needs of employers across the country.

Founding shareholders Douglas J. Farmer and Thomas M. McInerney opened the firm’s San Francisco office and together bring over 35 years of experience to Ogletree Deakins. They are joined by associate David Sohn and expect to add more lawyers to the office in the near future.

Douglas J. Farmer, formerly a partner at Sheppard Mullin Richter and Hampton LLP, exclusively represents management in employment law matters and related litigation. His experience includes defending employers in wage and hour class action, employment discrimination, and wrongful termination litigation matters. In addition, he frequently counsels employers on matters involving wage and hour law compliance, terminations, leave requests, and privacy issues. Before entering private practice, Mr. Farmer was a trial attorney in the San Francisco District Office of the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He will manage Ogletree Deakins’ San Francisco office.

Thomas M. McInerney comes to Ogletree Deakins from Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner LLP, where he was a partner in the firm’s labor and employment law group. Mr. McInerney has extensive trial and arbitration experience representing clients in the technology, energy, construction and engineering, public utilities, and healthcare industries. He has also defended employers in cases involving harassment, discrimination, unfair business practices, non-competition clauses, and wage and hour claims. In addition, he has handled many class action cases, arbitrations, and appellate proceedings on behalf of employers, and has represented clients in landmark cases before the California Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit, and other state and federal courts in California.

David Sohn comes to Ogletree Deakins from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and represents employers in labor and employment law matters. He received his law degree from Harvard Law School.

“We are very pleased to have an office in San Francisco. Many of our clients have operations in northern California, so it was important for our firm to establish a presence in the Bay Area,” said Gray Geddie, managing shareholder of Ogletree Deakins. “We knew the timing was right when we met with Doug and Tom. They are both excellent lawyers who share our firm’s culture and commitment to client service.”

Farmer adds: “It’s exciting to be a part of Ogletree Deakins and to play a role in establishing the firm’s San Francisco office. This is a great opportunity, and I look forward to utilizing the firm’s vast resources to help more employers in northern California with their legal needs.”

Based in downtown San Francisco, Ogletree Deakins office is located in the Steuart Tower of One Market Plaza in the city’s financial district.

About Ogletree Deakins

Ogletree Deakins is the nation’s third largest labor and employment law firm, representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters. The firm has more than 400 lawyers located in 33 offices from Miami to Los Angeles. 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.