Ogletree Deakins Grows Chicago Office, Welcomes Anne Larson as Shareholder

CHICAGO, IL – September 13, 2011 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the nation’s largest labor and employment law firms, is pleased to announce that Anne Larson has joined its Chicago office as a shareholder. Previously, Larson was a Principal (Partner) and Chair of the Labor and Employment Practice Group of Much Shelist. Larson has more than 20 years of litigation experience and has successfully defended clients in discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract and non-compete and trade secret disputes in state and federal courts throughout the country. She has also handled proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board and charges before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She regularly advises employers on their hiring practices, terminations, reductions in force, FLSA audits of employee classifications, disability accommodations and FMLA issues. She provides anti-harassment and other training for clients. Additionally, Larson assists employers with executive compensation and severance agreements. 

“Anne is a talented employment litigator and advisor, who is a true self starter and leader,” said Arthur B. Smith, Jr., co-managing shareholder of the Chicago office. “Her experience and reputation are highly regarded. By joining our firm, she will be a great resource for clients across our national platform.”    

Larson regularly writes and speaks on employment law issues. She was the featured speaker on “Escalating Retaliation Claims in the Workplace” during the National Employment Law Institute’s (NELI) 35th Annual Employment Discrimination Law Update earlier this year. Recently, she authored “Think Before You Tweet: When Workplace Gripes Play Out in Social Media, Who Pays?” (Today’s Chicago Woman (TCW), July 2011), “Sexual Harassment in the Workplace” (TCW, May 2011) and “What the FMLA Regulations Don’t Tell Employers: Your Attendance or Sick Time Policies May Buy You a Lawsuit (Corporate Counsel, Nov. 2010).

Personally, Larson has a passion for the arts and has been civically active through service on not-for-profit boards and community organizations for more than 15 years. She has served as President of the Board for both Shattered Globe Theatre and Hedwig Dances. She has also served as Co-Chair of the Chicago Community Trust’s Young Leaders Fund (YLF).

Larson has been recognized by the Leading Lawyers Network as a top Illinois lawyer in the area of management-side employment law for four consecutive years, 2007-2011. Larson was also named one of the “40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch” in 2001 by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company, an honor bestowed on only 40 Illinois attorneys each year. Larson received a B.A. from the University of Illinois, with Bronze Tablet and summa cum laude honors, and earned her J.D. from the University of Michigan.

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 550 lawyers located in 40 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 United States. For more information, please contact Ryan King, public relations manager, at (404) 870-1742.