Ogletree Deakins Opens Minneapolis Office, Strengthens Firm’s Litigation Practice

Fourth New Office Opening in 2010 Extends Firm’s Strategic Growth 
 

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – March 30, 2010 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the nation’s largest labor and employment law firms, announced today that the firm will open an office in Minneapolis on April 1, to meet the market’s growing need for labor and employment legal services.  Joining the firm as shareholders will be Cynthia Bremer and Pat Martin, formerly with Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., and Hal Shillingstad, formerly with Flynn, Gaskins & Bennett, L.L.P.  Additional attorneys are expected to join the office soon.  Cynthia Bremer will serve as managing shareholder for the new Minneapolis office.  All three new shareholders bring significant litigation experience to the firm and represent more than 50 years of experience in labor and employment law.     

“We are very excited to open our 39th office in Minneapolis,” said Kim Ebert, the firm’s managing shareholder.  “This move not only continues our strategic growth nationally, it also deepens the level of service we provide to our Minneapolis-based clients.  It’s a great fit for our clients and our firm as this is a dynamic, cohesive, and talented group of attorneys.”

Cynthia Bremer has broad experience in employment law matters and has represented both small and large employers in a wide variety of industries.  She is a frequent presenter at employment-related seminars and has authored a number of published articles on the subject.  Licensed to practice in Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, and North Dakota, Bremer’s practice includes handling litigation as well as advising clients on how to avoid lawsuits.  For each of the last three years, Bremer has been named one of Minnesota’s top 40 employment lawyers and one of the best 100 female attorneys in the state by Minnesota Law & Politics.  She earned her J.D. from Washington University School of Law in 1994, and a B.A., cum laude, from Carleton College in 1990. 

Pat Martin is an experienced litigator who has defended numerous employment matters, including claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).  He has successfully defended and prosecuted several commercial, non-competition and trade secret lawsuits, and is licensed in Iowa and Minnesota.  He is a frequent presenter at employment-related seminars and events addressing human resources issues.  For each of the last three  years, Martin has been named one of Minnesota’s top 40 employment lawyers by Minnesota Law & Politics. Martin earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1995, and a B.A., summa cum laude, from Mankato State University in 1991. 

Hal Shillingstad’s practice is exclusively focused on litigation.  His employment law experience includes the successful defense of claims alleging discrimination, harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, wrongful termination, negligent hiring and retention, ERISA violations, defamation, and whistleblower reprisal.  In his career, he has also participated in numerous arbitrations.  Shillingstad earned his J.D. from the William Mitchell College of Law in 1988, and a B.A. from the University of St. Thomas in 1984.

“We’re very pleased to be the founding shareholders of Ogletree Deakins’ Minneapolis office,” said Bremer.  “The firm’s national network of labor and employment law attorneys will greatly benefit our clients and improve our client service abilities.  With Minneapolis being the home to so many well-known companies, we expect this office to grow quickly and look forward to the opportunities ahead.”

With the addition of the Minneapolis office, Ogletree Deakins now has 39 offices across the United States.  This is the fourth new office for Ogletree Deakins in as many months: the firm opened its Las Vegas office in January, its Denver office in February, followed by its Orange County office in March. 

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 450 lawyers located in 39 offices across the United States.  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 United States. For more information, please contact Ryan King, public relations manager, at (404) 870-1742.