Ogletree Deakins Adds Two to Pittsburgh Office

PITTSBURGH, PA – August 2, 2010 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the nation’s largest labor and employment law firms, is pleased to welcome Mariah Passarelli and Philip Kontul as associates to the Pittsburgh office.     

“We are pleased that Mariah and Philip are joining our growing office”, said Tom Smock, managing shareholder for the Pittsburgh office.  “Both are very talented professionals with a focus on delivering first-rate client service.” 

In her practice, Passarelli represents management in employment-related matters, with an emphasis on litigation and administrative actions.  She also has extensive federal trial and alternative dispute resolution experience.  Passarelli began her legal career as a Deputy Attorney General for the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General in the civil litigation section, representing the Commonwealth’s agencies in civil rights and employment defense. 

In addition to her legal practice, Passarelli also conducted training seminars related to litigation avoidance, and has taken a leadership role in mentoring and working with other female attorneys in advancing the trial experience of female litigators. 

Passarelli earned her J.D. from Duquesne University Law School where she was a distinguished member of the trial moot court program.  She received a M.A. in Criminology, from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a B.A. in Political Science from Duquesne University.

Philip Kontul joins Ogletree Deakins from the Pittsburgh office of Cohen & Grigsby, P.C. where he practiced in labor and employment law.  He began his career as a law clerk for U.S. District Court Judge Joy Flowers Conti of the Western District of Pennsylvania.  In his practice, Kontul represents and counsels employers in numerous employment-related matters, including employment discrimination, electronic discovery and executive employment.  Kontul also has extensive experience in employment litigation, including FLSA cases.  He is also a frequent speaker and presenter on topics related to employment litigation and electronic discovery.     

Kontul earned his J.D., Cum Laude, from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review, and a B.A., Cum Laude, from Bucknell University.

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 500 lawyers located in 40 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.