Ogletree Deakins Opens London Office, Drives International Expansion

LONDON – September 11, 2013 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to announce that it is expanding its international platform by opening an office in London, England. The London office joins Ogletree Deakins’ network of more than 650 lawyers in 45 offices throughout the United States and in Europe. The London office represents the next phase in the firm’s international strategy, as part of its vision to be the premier global labor and employment law firm. The firm’s international expansion began with the opening of its Berlin office in December 2012 and the firm expects to continue its growth globally.

“We are excited to expand into London as we continue to seek to provide assistance to our clients wherever they may need our services,” said Ogletree Deakins’ Managing Shareholder, Kim Ebert. “Our expansion into London is our next phase of offering clients increased global reach, excellent value, and superior client service.”  

The London office opens with Richard Linskell as partner and two associates. Linskell joins Ogletree Deakins from Speechly Bircham LLP where he was a partner in the employment team. He advises employers on every aspect of the employment relationship from recruitment to termination and post-termination issues, as well as in relation to the law of limited liability partnerships and partnerships. His experience encompasses drafting executive service agreements to advising on complex employee relations issues, remuneration and bonuses, discrimination, TUPE, executive terminations and other dismissals. He also advises employers on drafting and enforcing post-termination restrictive covenants, and breaches of contract. Linskell represents employers that operate in the United Kingdom and internationally in a wide range of sectors including financial services, professional and business services, pharmaceutical, recruitment, publishing, and technology.   

“Changes in the UK legal market and the evolution of client demands have encouraged the international expansion of law firms as well as an acceleration in the growth of boutique firms, particularly in the employment field” said Linskell. “What makes the Ogletree Deakins proposition stand out is the offering to clients of boutique employment law services on an international scale. Ogletree Deakins’ track record and commitment to superb client service aligns perfectly with my own philosophy and I am confident we can make a major impact in both UK and international markets.”

In addition to serving as deputy chair of the Employment Lawyers Association (ELA), Linskell has served on the editorial board of the ELA’s respected journal, ELA Briefing. He also is a writer of employment law articles and an employment law commentator in the press. Linskell earned his LLB (Law and Politics) from the University of Birmingham and was admitted as a solicitor in 1994.

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 45 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, from small businesses to Fortune 50 companies. For more information, please contact Ryan King or Mary Lou Baxter.