Ogletree Deakins Expands ERISA Practice in the Southwest, Welcomes Ann Andrews and Kristina Holmstrom in Phoenix

PHOENIX – October 2, 2017 – Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to welcome Ann Andrews and Kristina Holmstrom as shareholders in the firm’s Phoenix office. Andrews and Holmstrom are successful ERISA litigators who join Ogletree Deakins from Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie in Phoenix. 

“Ann and Kristina are two of the most skilled ERISA litigators in Arizona,” said Leah Freed, managing shareholder of Ogletree Deakins’ Phoenix office. “They bring with them a wealth of experience and a passion that will help ensure that the needs of our clients are always met. We’re excited for them to join the team.”

Andrews has an extensive background in ERISA litigation, as well as other matters. She focuses the majority of her practice on first-party and third-party insurance coverage and bad faith litigation, and has expansive experience in life, health, and disability insurance. Andrews also has experience representing employers in third-party tort litigation, appeals, personal injury, product liability, premises liability, and more. Andrews is a member of the Defense Research Institute’s (DRI) Life, Health, and Disability Committee, as well as co-editor of DRI’s ERISA Report. She is licensed to practice law in Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. Andrews earned her J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1989 and earlier received a B.A. from the University of Maryland College Park.

Holmstrom has substantial experience defending claim and plan administrators in all aspects of ERISA litigation, including disability, life, and health insurance. She has successfully opposed discovery motions, obtained summary judgement on administrative and bankruptcy issues, and won judgement on the administrative record. Outside of her ERISA practice, Holmstrom regularly represents insurers in coverage disputes involving life, disability, property and casualty, and business insurance. Holmstrom is the Defense Resolution Institute state membership chair for Arizona and serves as liaison for the organization’s Life, Health, and Disability Committee and Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee. She is also on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Association of Defense Counsel and is a member of the DRI Life, Health, and Disability Committee. Holmstrom has been listed in Benchmark Litigation’s “Under 40 Hot List” and has earned a John P. Frank Pro Bono Award for her commitment to prop bono service. Holmstrom is licensed to practice law in Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. She earned her J.D. from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) William S. Boyd School of Law in 2004 and earlier received a B.A from the same university.

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. Premier client service, as outlined in the firm’s Client Pledge, is one of the firm’s top priorities and a cornerstone of its core values. U.S. News – Best Lawyers^® “Best Law Firms” has named Ogletree Deakins a “Law Firm of the Year” for six consecutive years. In 2017, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its “Law Firm of the Year” in the Labor Law – Management category. Ogletree Deakins has 850 attorneys located in 52 offices across the United States and in Europe, Canada, and Mexico. The firm represents a diverse range of clients, from small businesses to Fortune 50 companies. www.ogletree.com