Ogletree Deakins’ Brian McDermott Named Volunteer of the Year by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – November 17, 2011 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the nation’s largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to announce that Brian McDermott, a shareholder in the firm’s Indianapolis office, has been named the 2011 Samuel C. Schlosser Indiana Chamber Volunteer of the Year. McDermott received the award for his exemplary service during the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Membership Awards Luncheon held earlier today.

McDermott has partnered with the Indiana Chamber for more than a decade, contributing to or authoring publications and presenting at conferences covering topics such as human resources, employee benefits, workers’ compensation and wellness. Outside of his legal practice, McDermott regularly volunteers with organizations that support at-risk children and those who have suffered from domestic violence.

“Civic participation and giving back is part of my DNA,” said McDermott. “In receiving this recognition, I am pleased that my efforts have made a positive impact on the exemplary work performed by the state’s business voice.”

In his 20 years of practicing law, McDermott represents employers in state and federal employment actions and traditional labor relations matters. He has extensive experience in representing public and private employers in individual and class/collective employment actions. McDermott has also represented employers throughout the United States before administrative agencies including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations Board. 

In addition to his trial experience, McDermott devotes a substantial portion of his practice to litigation avoidance and counseling. Here, he works with employers to provide valuable employment training on issues such as, harassment, hiring and interviewing, employee terminations, union avoidance, diversity, and Family and Medical Leave Act training. He also assists employers in developing employee handbooks, personnel policies, employment contracts, noncompete agreements, severance agreements, and other employment-related documents.

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 600 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.