Ogletree Deakins Strengthens Litigation Bench with Addition of Shareholder Joseph Pelochino in San Diego

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – September 15, 2025 – Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to welcome Joseph Pelochino to the firm’s San Diego office as a shareholder. Joseph joins the firm from Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, where he has been a partner since 2020.

With a legal career spanning two decades, Joseph is a first-chair trial attorney with deep experience leading all facets of employment litigation for employers across diverse industries. He handles complex litigation involving claims of wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, retaliation, the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), and class and representative wage and hour actions. Joseph has a strong record of success defending national and multinational employers in high-stakes matters before state and federal courts, as well as before administrative agencies, including the California Labor Commission (DLSE), the California Civil Rights Department (formerly the DFEH), and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

In addition to his extensive litigation experience, Joseph advises and counsels employers on compliance with federal and state wage and hour laws, onboarding, employee leaves, accommodations and disability laws, proper handling of layoffs, discipline and termination, and employee privacy rights.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Joseph to our San Diego office,” said Christopher Olmsted, office managing shareholder in San Diego. “Joseph brings a rare combination of deep litigation experience and practical, business-minded counsel. His ability to deliver strategic, solutions-driven support makes him an outstanding addition to our team and a valuable resource for our clients throughout California and beyond.”

Joseph received his J.D. from the University of California Hastings College of Law and his B.A. from the University of California, Davis.

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. Best Law Firms® has named Ogletree Deakins a “Law Firm of the Year” for 14 consecutive years. In the 2025 edition, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its “Law Firm of the Year” in the Litigation – Labor and Employment Law category. Ogletree Deakins has more than 1,100 attorneys located in 60 offices across the United States and in Europe, Canada, and Mexico. The firm represents a diverse range of clients, including many of the Fortune 50 companies in the U.S. www.ogletree.com