Ogletree Deakins Taps Michael Clarkson to Lead Boston Office

BOSTON – May 23, 2012 – 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 Michael Clarkson has been appointed the Managing Shareholder of the firm’s Boston office. Clarkson, who joined Ogletree Deakins in April 2011, served on the management committee for six years at his prior firm, Morgan, Brown & Joy, LLP. As a managing shareholder, Clarkson will continue growing the firm’s Boston office, increase the firm’s presence in the Northeast, and deepen synergies throughout the firm’s national platform of 41 offices.

“Mike is well-regarded in the community, and we’re excited about the Boston office under his leadership,” said Kim Ebert, managing shareholder of Ogletree Deakins. “Both the Boston office and the firm as a whole have benefited from substantial growth, and Mike has the experience to execute on our growth strategy in a way that enhances the level of service we provide to clients.” 

“Since the opening of Ogletree Deakins’ Boston office in 2009, the office has doubled in size each year and now has 16 lawyers serving employers throughout the state and nationally,” said Clarkson. “Boston is one of the firm’s strategic growth markets, and we expect to continue to grow in Boston and throughout the region.”

In addition to his management experience, Clarkson also has a thriving employment litigation and counseling practice. 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. Along with his legal practice, Clarkson is a frequent lecturer and presenter at seminars on employment law and human resources issues covering topics such as drug testing, background checks, the use of expert witnesses in complex employment litigation, and law firm diversity efforts.

Recognized by his peers for his outstanding employment litigation and counseling abilities, Clarkson has been named a “Super Lawyer” in the New England Super Lawyers edition of Boston Magazine for the past four years, where only five percent of the lawyers in Massachusetts are selected for inclusion. He is also “Preeminent AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting the highest ethical standards and legal ability.

Clarkson is also very active in the community. 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 the Co-Boston Chapter Chair and Alumni Board member for Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Previously, Clarkson served as 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.

 

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 41 offices across the United States, including its new office in New York City. 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.