Ogletree Deakins Continues Steady Growth in the Northeast, Welcomes Employment Litigator Steve Luckner

MORRISTOWN, N.J. – June 4, 2013 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to welcome Steve Luckner as a shareholder in its Morristown office. Luckner, an employment litigator and counselor who has practiced in New Jersey and New York for more than 15 years, joins Ogletree Deakins from Coughlin Duffy LLP where he was a partner. Luckner is the 16^th shareholder to join Ogletree Deakins in 2013.

“Steve is a versatile attorney with substantial experience defending employers against the wide spectrum of issues regularly facing our clients,” said Mark Diana, managing shareholder Ogletree Deakins’ Morristown office. “His arrival bolsters the employment litigation experience in our Morristown office, which recently earned a Band 1 ranking from Chambers USA.” 

Luckner focuses his litigation practice on defending employers against allegations of wrongful discharge, sexual harassment, discrimination, whistleblower, and other statutory claims, as well as wage and hour claims under both the Fair Labor Standards Act and various state laws. He has extensive experience prosecuting and defending cases involving post-employment restrictions, unfair competition, breach of fiduciary duty, and trade secrets. In connection with these claims, he often obtains and defends against applications for temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctive relief.  

In addition to his litigation practice, Luckner regularly advises clients on common employment issues including leaves of absence, reasonable accommodation, and employee discipline. He often assists employers through reductions-in-force, aids in the response to employment audits from State and Federal agencies, and conducts independent investigations for employers. Luckner has experience counseling employers on issues associated with the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) and offering guidance on how the CFAA and other state computer fraud statutes relate to the management of employer-employee relationships in the digital age.

Luckner was selected as one of New Jersey’s “Top 40 Under 40” by the New Jersey Law Journal in 2008, and has been included in Chambers USA (2009 – 2012), New Jersey Super Lawyers-Rising Stars (2008 – 2010) and New Jersey Super Lawyers (2012 – 2013). Luckner also possesses an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible. Luckner earned his J.D. from Tulane Law School and earlier received his B.A. from University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

About Ogletree Deakins
Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters. The firm has more than 650 lawyers located in 44 offices across the United States and in Europe. Ogletree Deakins was named “Law Firm of the Year” in both the Litigation – Labor & Employment and the Employment Law – Management categories in the 2013 edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” list. 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 or Mary Lou Baxter.