Ogletree Deakins Expands, Relocates in Charleston

CHARLESTON – January 23, 2006 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), the nation’s third largest labor and employment law firm, is pleased to announce the firm has expanded its presence in Charleston. Over the last few weeks, the Charleston office  of Ogletree Deakins has grown in size and has moved its operation into larger office space on 211 King Street to accommodate growth.

The firm now houses five labor and employment law attorneys including Eric C. Schweitzer, a shareholder with Ogletree Deakins, who has thirty years of experience practicing labor, employment and environmental law. Schweitzer, who previously divided his time between the firm’s Columbia and Charleston offices, is now a full time resident in the Charleston office and brings added experience and legal expertise to the team. He will continue to work alongside fellow attorneys Ashley Cooper, Benjamin Glass, Catherine Templeton, and Linda Seabrook – who joined the Charleston office earlier this month as an associate. Ms. Seabrook has been practicing law in Charleston for over three years prior to joining Ogletree Deakins.

“We have a skilled group of attorneys in Charleston, and we are excited over the office’s recent expansion and increased capabilities in this market. Charleston’s industrial, hospitality and service industries are in a growth mode, and some of that growth will bring a new character of skilled workers to the area,” commented Schweitzer. “There is a real need here for the services we provide. We are fortunate to already represent a number of the leading employers in Charleston and look forward to helping more businesses in this area with their legal needs.”

About Ogletree Deakins

Ogletree Deakins is the nation’s third largest labor and employment law firm, representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters. The firm has more than 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, environmental permitting and compliance, 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.