Ogletree Deakins Continues Growth in the Firm’s Orange County Office, Extends Cal-OSHA Practice

COSTA MESA, CA – June 20, 2011 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the nation’s largest labor and employment law firms, continues its growth in welcoming Kevin Bland as Of Counsel to the firm’s Orange County office. Bland joins Ogletree Deakins from the law firm of Hines Smith Carder Dincel Bland. He has significant experience in workplace safety and health law and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) citation appeals and rulemaking, in addition to construction risk management, litigation and contract claims. In his practice, Bland counsels and represents general contractors, builders, trade contractors, crane and rigging contractors, trade associations, construction contractors, material suppliers and various other non-construction industries. Bland regularly practices before the Cal-OSHA Appeals Board, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board, and the Nevada Division of Industrial Relations Commission. Prior to a career in law, Bland was an iron worker in Los Angeles. 

“The Orange County office continues to grow and meet the needs of our clients,” said co-managing shareholder Vince Verde. “Kevin’s unique knowledge of law, particularly as it relates to the California Departments of Occupational Safety and Health Administration, combined with his practical experience, will be of immediate assistance to clients.” 

“Kevin’s arrival will extend the range and depth of the firm’s national Workplace Safety and Health Practice Group and will be an asset to clients with California-specific issues,” said Keith Watts, co-managing shareholder of the firm’s Orange County office. 

Since opening in March 2010, the Orange County office has grown to 14 attorneys.

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 550 lawyers located in 40 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 United States. For more information, please contact Ryan King, public relations manager, at (404) 870-1742.