Ogletree Deakins Adds New Shareholder to Houston Office

HOUSTON, TX – August 15, 2011 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the nation’s largest labor and employment law firms, is pleased to announce that Leigh Ganchan has joined the firm’s Houston office as a shareholder. Ganchan is certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Previously, Ganchan was a partner and the head of the immigration practice group at Haynes and Boone, LLP. Earlier in her career, she was the Assistant District Counsel of the Immigration & Naturalization Service for the U.S. Department of Justice.  

Ganchan has experience in a wide range of business immigration matters, which include citizenship and employment visa issues. She has successfully represented clients in a vast array of industries such as energy, biotechnology, health care, finance and construction, with such matters that include; employment eligibility compliance, preparing individuals for U.S. consulate hearings, and analyzing employers’ employment verification compliance and planning needs. Ganchan also represents clients in I-9 investigations, federal grand jury investigations and corresponding while collar crime proceedings. Ganchan also helps clients perform immigration due diligence in preparation for mergers, acquisitions or restructurings.

“Leigh is an excellent lawyer with substantial experience in a wide range of business immigration matters which will be a valuable asset to clients and the firm,” said Jeff Londa, managing shareholder of Ogletree Deakins’ Houston office. “Her breadth of knowledge makes her a natural fit for our Texas clients and our office. We welcome her aboard.” 

Outside of her practice, Ganchan was one of the founding members of the State Bar of Texas Immigration and Nationality Law Section and currently serves as Vice-Chair elect of the organization. She sits on the World Trade Advisory Board for the Greater Houston Partnership and is on the Board of Directors for the San Antonio Free Trade Alliance. She is also an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the French-American Chamber of Commerce, HR Houston, and Society for Human Resources Management.

Ganchan has been recognized by Chambers USA for the past three consecutive years for her immigration law experience and knowledge. She earned her J.D. from American University, cum laude, in 1996. After graduation, Ganchan earned a diploma in European and International Legal Studies from the Universite de Paris-X. Earlier, she received a B.A. from the University of Alabama, cum laude, and a post-graduate degree from the University of Vienna in Austria. Ganchan is fluent in French and German.

In May, the Houston office welcomed Timothy Verrall as a Shareholder. Nationally, Ogletree Deakins continues its growth with the recent addition of shareholders in the firm’s Atlanta, Boston, Greenville, Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Memphis, Philadelphia, and Tampa offices.

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.