Ogletree Deakins Strengthens Practice and Industry Group Leadership with Three New Co-chairs

ATLANTA – May 12, 2026 – Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to announce new co-chairs in three of the firm’s practice and industry groups. The new co-chairs are Scott Kelly, shareholder in Birmingham and Washington, D.C., in the Pay Equity Practice Group; Todd Duffield, shareholder in Atlanta, in the Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Group; and Brian Bumgardner, shareholder in Raleigh, in the Life Sciences Industry Group.

In his new role, Kelly joins existing co-chairs Daniella McGuigan, partner in London, and Kristi Nelson Foy, shareholder in Milwaukee. The members of the Pay Equity Practice Group advise employers on compensation policies and global pay equity compliance requirements, conduct pay equity audits, and defend employers in connection with pay equity claims in various state, federal, and global jurisdictions. Kelly is also co-chair of the Government Contracting and Compliance and Workforce Analytics and Compliance Practice Groups.

“Scott’s ability to represent and guide employers through a wide range of compensation issues makes him an outstanding addition to the leadership of this group,” said Daniella McGuigan and Kristi Nelson Foy, co-chairs of the Pay Equity Practice Group. “He has years of practice group leadership experience within the firm and has led numerous proactive pay equity analyses, which further enhances the premier service we provide to clients.”

As co-chair of the Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Group, Duffield serves alongside Kevin Kinney, shareholder in Milwaukee. The attorneys in this group, independently and in partnership with general practice firms, assist employers of all sizes with the labor, employment, benefits, and immigration aspects of corporate transactions, from due diligence through post-closing integration. With capabilities that extend beyond U.S. borders, the group provides transparent information on the costs of compliance and understands the sensitive issues that arise during a transaction, advising management in a manner conducive to building rapport among parties.

“Todd is a unique talent because he understands every dimension of a transaction thoroughly, whether it’s navigating labor-management relations or the restrictive covenant disputes that so often follow a deal,” said Kevin Kinney, co-chair of the Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Group. “His counsel is trusted by some of the most sophisticated legal teams and executives in the country, and I couldn’t be more pleased to have him as my co-chair as we continue to grow this group’s capabilities.”

In the Life Sciences Industry Group, Bumgardner succeeds Daniel O’Meara, who continues his practice as shareholder in Philadelphia, to serve alongside co-chair Mark Burak, shareholder in Boston. The group comprises attorneys with decades of experience representing publicly and privately held companies across the full spectrum of life science businesses, including biotechnology, pharma, medical devices, medical software, and informatics. Its members partner with in-house counsel and senior management to resolve complex litigation, provide core legal support, advise and train supervisory personnel, and address multifaceted administrative, policy, and compliance challenges.

“Brian’s business immigration practice brings a critical perspective to our group at a time when employers in this industry are competing globally for top talent,” said Mark Burak, co-chair of the Life Sciences Industry Group. “His long-standing focus on the life sciences and healthcare sectors means he understands not just the legal issues, but the business pressures our clients are up against.”

About Ogletree Deakins
With more than 1,100 attorneys in 60 offices worldwide, Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management. We handle all types of employment-related legal matters, including traditional labor and employment, workplace safety, employee benefits, and business immigration matters. Guided by our Client Pledge, we focus on understanding clients’ business and objectives, collaborating and anticipating needs, harnessing technology and innovation, communicating effectively, and providing quality representation with exceptional value. www.ogletree.com