Ogletree Deakins Opens Phoenix Office

ATLANTA – June 14, 2005 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), the nation’s third largest labor and employment law firm, announced today it has opened an office in Phoenix, Arizona, further expanding the firm’s presence in the Western U.S. Joseph T. Clees, Michael D. Guinan, Pavneet S. Uppal, L. Eric Dowell, Tracy A. Miller, and James T. Tucker, who all formerly practiced with the law firm of Bryan Cave LLP, are founding shareholders of the new Phoenix office. Additional attorneys and staff have committed to join the Ogletree Deakins Phoenix team in the coming weeks. With the new Phoenix location, Ogletree Deakins now has nearly 300 lawyers in 24 offices across the country dedicated to the practice of labor and employment law.

Mr. Clees serves as managing shareholder of the firm’s Phoenix office. He and the office’s other skilled attorneys represent the area’s top employers on labor and employment law issues, including wrongful discharge, employment discrimination, sexual harassment and employee benefits. Just days ago, Mr. Clees was ranked by the 2005 edition of Chambers USA America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as one of the top labor and employment law attorneys in Arizona – for the third year in a row. He has been applauded for his “integrity and common sense” as well as his “pragmatic style.”

“Joining the Ogletree Deakins team is an excellent opportunity for us and our clients,” said Clees. “We look forward to utilizing the Firm’s vast expertise and resources to provide additional support to our employer clients.”

Gray Geddie, Ogletree Deakins’ managing shareholder, said, “We’ve been expanding our presence in the West over the last few years and are delighted to have an office in Phoenix.” Geddie continued, “We couldn’t be happier with the extremely talented team of lawyers that is joining us. They share our commitment to client service and we are glad to welcome them into the Ogletree Deakins family.”

More About Ogletree Deakins

Ogletree Deakins is the nation’s third largest labor and employment law firm, specializing exclusively in the representation of management in all types of employment-related legal matters. The firm has nearly 300 lawyers located in 24 offices from Miami to Los Angeles. 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 U.S.

For more information, please contact Karen Gonzales, communications manager, at 210-277-3606.