Ogletree Deakins Enhances Its West Coast Traditional Labor-Law Capability, Adding Maria Anastas and Aaron Roblan as Shareholders

SAN FRANCISCO – June 3, 2009 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), the nation’s third largest labor and employment law firm, announced today that Maria Anastas and Aaron Roblan have joined its San Francisco office as new shareholders. Ms. Anastas’s and Mr. Roblan’s highly respected labor law practices will further enhance Ogletree Deakins’ capability in that area on the West coast. Formerly, Ms. Anastas and Mr. Roblan were partners at Davis Wright Tremaine in San Francisco.

Ms. Anastas began her career with the National Labor Relations Board in New Orleans, where she was a field attorney. She later moved to Jackson Lewis LLP, where she was a partner in their Chicago office and years later in their San Francisco office.  She has been named one of the “Top 100 Labor Lawyers in America” by the Labor Relations Institute in 2006, 2007, and 2008 based upon the number of union elections she has successfully defended during her career. 

Maria Anastas represents employers in labor and employment law matters with a primary emphasis on traditional labor matters.  She handles union organizing drives and corporate campaigns, collective bargaining and arbitration, and proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board.  She provides comprehensive labor relations training to clients throughout the country with a particular expertise in developing improved communication skills for managers and supervisors. 

Ms. Anastas earned her B.A. in International Studies and in Political Science from Miami University in 1987. She earned her law degree from Tulane University Law School in 1991.

Mr. Roblan’s practice encompasses all aspects of labor and employment law, including defending clients in state and federal court litigation, in both individual and class claims. He counsels clients in corporate and union campaigns, unfair labor practices proceedings, collective bargaining negotiations, and grievance and arbitration proceedings. He also advises and counsels clients on employee discipline, leaves of absence, terminations, workplace investigations, and government audits and investigations.

Mr. Roblan was a contributor to California Employment Law Deskbook, 3rd Edition, 2008. He also co-presented, with Maria Anastas, the December 2008 webinar “How an Obama Presidency Could Change Your Workplace.”

Mr. Roblan earned his B.S. from the University of Oregon in 1996 and his law degree from the Lewis & Clark Law School in 2000.

“We are extremely pleased to have the traditional labor expertise that lawyers of the caliber of Maria Anastas and Aaron Roblan bring to the firm,” said Douglas J. Farmer, managing shareholder of Ogletree Deakins’ San Francisco office. “Maria’s and Aaron’s outstanding reputation and legal skills will further bolster our traditional labor law capabilities on the West coast, and will be invaluable new assets for our firm and clients.”

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 450 lawyers located in 35 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 Dave Carew, public relations manager, at (615) 332-0718.