Ogletree Deakins Adds Two Shareholders to Boston Office

BOSTON, MA – April 13, 2011 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the nation’s largest labor and employment law firms, welcomes Diane Saunders and Michael Clarkson as shareholders to the firm’s Boston office. Both Saunders and Clarkson join Ogletree Deakins from Morgan, Brown & Joy, LLP. The Boston office opened in January 2009. Saunders and Clarkson bring the total number of lawyers in the Boston office to 12.
 
“Diane and Michael continue the growth of our office. They are well-regarded in the community and their excellence as lawyers augments our office. Employers throughout the region will be well-protected by these very able lawyers,” said Josh Davis, managing shareholder of Ogletree Deakins’ Boston office. 

In her practice, Saunders advises employers on all aspects of employment law, including hiring, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, accommodation, leave issues, privacy issues, wage and hour issues, and compliance with federal and state statues and regulations affecting the employment relationship. Saunders also handles both single plaintiff and class action employment disputes before federal and state courts, arbitrators, and administrative agencies. In addition to her litigation experience, Saunders dedicates a significant portion of her practice to advising and counseling her clients on a wide variety of employment issues. 

She is an active member of the Labor and Employment Law sections of the American Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association and the Boston Bar Association. She is also a member of the Defense Research Institute and the American Health Lawyers Association. Because of her experience, Saunders is a frequently requested speaker on employment issues for human resources professionals and management.

Saunders earned her J.D., cum laude, from the American University Washington College of Law in 1992, and a B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Vermont. 

Clarkson focuses his practice on litigation and advice and counsel. His experience includes the defense of complex and sensitive litigation as well as cases stemming from issues such as employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, non-compete, wage and hour, employment contract, and personnel policy issues. In addition to his legal practice, Clarkson is a frequent lecturer and presenter at seminars on employment law and human resources issues.

Clarkson is very active in his community, both professionally and civically. He serves as the Vice Chair of the Employment Law and Litigation Committee of the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section and is a member of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce Human Resource Group Advisory Board. Clarkson is also an Executive Committee member of the Board of Directors of Operation A.B.L.E. of Greater Boston, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to providing employment and training opportunities to a diverse population of mature workers and providing assistance to employers on aging workforce issues.

Recognized by his peers for exemplary legal work, Clarkson has been named a “Super Lawyer” in the New England Super Lawyers edition of Boston Magazine for the past three years, where only five percent of the lawyers in Massachusetts are selected for inclusion.

Clarkson earned his J.D. from the University of California Hastings College of Law in 1992, and a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University. Clarkson is currently a member of the ILR School’s Alumni Board of Directors.

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 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, construction, employee benefits, environmental, 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.