Ogletree Deakins Deepens Traditional Labor, Litigation Experience; Adds Three Attorneys Including Shareholder to Minneapolis Office

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – November 7, 2011 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the nation’s largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to welcome a group of attorneys to the firm’s Minneapolis office from Larkin Hoffman Daly & Lindgren Ltd. (Larkin Hoffman), with Bruce Douglas joining as a shareholder. Douglas is certified as a Specialist in Labor and Employment Law by the Minnesota State Bar Association. His practice is a well-rounded blend of traditional labor relations, class action litigation, and single plaintiff litigation. Joining Douglas is Chris Heffelbower as of counsel and Ashlee Bekish as an associate. With the addition of the group, Ogletree Deakins enhances the firm’s presence in the upper Midwest and deepens the traditional labor relations and litigation experience in the office.

“Since opening last year, our office continues to see positive growth driven by client demand”, said Cynthia Bremer. “This addition is a big plus for clients as they will benefit from the collective and comprehensive experience Bruce and the group will bring to employers in Minnesota and throughout the country.”

Douglas has more than 25 years of traditional labor relations experience handling matters under the National Labor Relations Act. Douglas represents management before the National Labor Relations Board and has extensive experience in representation cases and unfair labor practice cases. He is also experienced in drafting and negotiating collective bargaining agreements and conducting arbitrations under such agreements. Douglas also advises employers in union organizing campaigns and related matters.

During his career, Douglas has defended and counseled employers in a wide range of industries, including business process outsourcing, lodging, insurance, finance, communications, temporary personnel, security, manufacturing, transportation and health care. Douglas’ litigation experience includes the representation of employers across the United States with particularly extensive experience with collective actions brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act and class actions brought under Title VII.

Douglas has also tried cases in matters regarding the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, unfair competition and trade secrets, and wrongful discharge. He also represents employers in matters under the Occupational Safety and Health Act and in other federal whistleblower cases investigated by Occupational Safety and Health Administration or the Department of Labor.

Outside of his litigation practice, Douglas provides advice to management regarding Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance and investigations. He also conducts training for managers and supervisors regarding employee discipline, harassment, and equal employment opportunity matters.

Heffelbower is a litigator with experience in wage and hour matters and proceedings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Bekish is well versed in matters regarding the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and has assisted with traditional labor law cases.   

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 600 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.