Former General Counsel Joins Ogletree Deakins’ Burgeoning Richmond Office

RICHMOND, Va. – July 3, 2013 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to welcome Amy Pocklington as a shareholder in its Richmond office. Pocklington joins Ogletree Deakins from McGuireWoods LLP. Earlier in her career, Pocklington was the general counsel for Performance Food Group Company, the third largest food distribution company in the United States. Pocklington adds litigation experience and depth to the Richmond office, which has shown steady growth since it opened in March with managing shareholder Jimmy F. Robinson, Jr., shareholder Elizabeth Ebanks, and of counsel Tevis Marshall. Nancy Lester, a 5^th year associate, joined the office in May from LeClairRyan, where she practiced in the Labor & Employment group.

 “Amy is a remarkable litigator with comprehensive experience that ranges from defending against large class actions, counseling employers on compliance with employment laws and regulations, and representing clients before the NLRB” said Robinson. “Her vast knowledge, impressive skills, experience serving as in-house counsel, and commitment to client service will be an invaluable asset for our clients in Virginia and beyond.” 

Pocklington focuses her practice on traditional labor relations and employment law matters including election representation matters and unfair labor practices charges before the National Labor Relations Board, advising and training on union avoidance and effective campaign strategies, discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, wrongful discharge, non-compete covenants, trade secret violations, and complex commercial litigation. She regularly assists clients in drafting and implementing policies to ensure their compliance with state and federal laws, and she has led numerous internal investigations involving allegations ranging from fraudulent financial reporting to sexual harassment. Pocklington has extensive appellate experience, which includes a variety of class actions, and has briefed cases before multiple state and federal courts of appeals and the Supreme Court of the United States. Pocklington earned her J.D. from Washington and Lee University and earlier received her B.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Pocklington is the 20^th shareholder to join Ogletree Deakins in 2013. This year, the firm has also opened two offices, which include the office in Richmond and an office in San Diego that opened in January.

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 44 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.