Ogletree Deakins Adds Two Shareholders to Orange County Office

COSTA MESA, CA – September 1, 2010 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the nation’s largest labor and employment law firms, welcomes two new shareholders to the firm’s Orange County office.  Andrew J. Jaramillo and Michael J. Sexton are both employment litigators and formerly with Payne & Fears LLP in the firm’s Irvine office.  Since opening in March 2010, Ogletree Deakins’ Orange County office has steadily grown and additional attorneys are expected to join soon.   

“Both Andrew and Michael are outstanding litigators who are well known by our colleagues throughout the firm,” said Keith Watts, co-managing shareholder of the firm’s Orange County office.  “Their knowledge and experience across a wide spectrum of employment litigation will certainly be beneficial to employers given the recent developments in labor and employment law.” 

“Michael and Andrew are a welcome addition to the Orange County office and the firm,” said Vince Verde, co-managing shareholder of the Orange County office.  “Their practice is a natural fit for our national platform and will make a significant impact in our bench strength.” 

In his practice, Jaramillo represents employers and management in federal and state courts and in administrative agency matters.  He has extensive experience in all areas of employment litigation, including wage and hour, wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, breach of contract and trade secret issues.  Jaramillo also proactively counsels clients on issues, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act, disability accommodation, employee privacy, among other labor and employment matters. 

Earlier in his career, Jaramillo served as Corporate Counsel for The Home Depot where he managed employment litigation, including several complex class action suits, and a myriad of employment matters across a territory of 13 states.  He earned his J.D. from Stanford Law School in 1998, and a B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of California, Irvine in 1995. 

Sexton’s practice focuses on proactive employment advice and counsel and employment litigation.  He has significant experience in all areas of employment law, including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage and hour issues, leave, disability and accommodation issues, and employee privacy issues.  He has represented employers in state and federal courts and before various administrative agencies.  Sexton’s litigation experience also includes single and multi-plaintiff cases, as well as class actions.

Previously, Sexton served as Corporate Counsel for Employee Relations for The Home Depot.  He earned his J.D. from Cornell Law School in 1990, and a B.A., with High Honors and Distinction, from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1987.         

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.