Ogletree Deakins Opens 43rd Office, Strengthens Presence in California

SAN DIEGO – January 23, 2013 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to announce the opening of its San Diego office. Spencer Skeen, who joins Ogletree Deakins from Fisher & Phillips, will serve as the founding and managing shareholder. The San Diego office, which is expected to grow quickly, is the firm’s fifth in California and part of the network of offices throughout the state that includes Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco, and Torrance. San Diego is the fourth new office that Ogletree Deakins has opened in less than a year, and it extends the firm’s growth trend.

“We continue to make strategic investments in California to the benefit of our clients,” said Kim Ebert, Ogletree Deakins’ Managing Shareholder. “San Diego has long been a target for our firm’s growth, and we have been patient to open until we found the right person to lead our expansion in the market. Spencer is a superior collaborator with extensive community involvement, and he embodies the culture and client service mentality that our firm is known for.”

“Ogletree Deakins has an outstanding reputation for providing superior client service,” said Skeen. “The firm’s expanded platform creates an opportunity to provide additional value and offer enhanced services to my clients.”

Skeen has practiced labor and employment law his entire career. As a litigator, Skeen represents employers in a range of matters, including defending claims alleging harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage and hour claims, ADA and ADEA violations, unfair business practices, misappropriation of trade secrets, and class action disputes. He regularly represents employers in front of federal and state courts, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and other state and federal administrative agencies. Skeen was chosen as a top attorney by the San Diego Daily Transcript four of the past five years and has been included in San Diego Super Lawyers every year since 2008. In 2011, Skeen was selected as one of San Diego’s Top Labor & Employment Attorneys by SD Metro Magazine.

Skeen is very involved in the San Diego community. He serves on the board of directors for the San Ysidro Chamber of Commerce and was co-chair of the Labor and Employment Section of the San Diego Bar Association in 2011 and 2012. Skeen is also the general counsel for the Neighborhood Market Association, a non-profit mutual benefit corporation dedicated to empowering independent food and alcohol beverage retailers throughout California, Nevada, and Arizona.

About Ogletree Deakins

Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters. The firm has more than 650 lawyers located in 43 offices across the United States and in Europe. Ogletree Deakins was named “Law Firm of the Year” in both the Litigation – Labor & Employment and the Employment Law – Management categories in the 2013 edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” list. 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 or Mary Lou Baxter.