Ogletree Deakins Bolsters Capabilities in Midwest, Adds Team of Prominent Wisconsin Attorneys

MILWAUKEE – January 4, 2016 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, has significantly bolstered its capabilities in the Midwest with the addition of a group of prominent Wisconsin attorneys that includes Bud Bobber and David Froiland, who join as shareholders in the firm’s Milwaukee office. Bobber and Froiland join Ogletree Deakins from Foley & Lardner LLP, where they practiced in the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group. Since opening in Milwaukee one year ago, Ogletree Deakins has quickly established its presence in the region and, with this move, adds two top management employment lawyers to its ranks. The Milwaukee office is expected to experience additional growth in the near future in response to increased client demand.

“The addition of Bud and David to our already deep bench of talented lawyers cements our firm as a leading labor and employment practice in Wisconsin,” said Tim Costello, managing shareholder of Ogletree Deakins’ Milwaukee office. “Bud and David are two of the most-accomplished and well-recognized labor and employment attorneys in Wisconsin, and we are excited to welcome them to our firm.”

Bobber, who served as vice chair of Foley’s national Labor & Employment Practice and co-chair of the Trade Secret/Noncompete Practice, has more than 25 years of experience representing employers before federal and state courts and administrative agencies throughout the country. He focuses his practice in all areas of employment law, with particular emphasis on traditional labor, wage and hour, noncompete, employee benefits litigation, and employment discrimination matters. Bobber has extensive experience in the defense of class action cases and routinely represents clients in labor arbitrations and unfair labor practice proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board.

Bobber also regularly counsels employers on labor and employment issues and develops litigation avoidance strategies. Bobber drafts employment agreements and company policies that often include confidentiality, non-competition, and other restrictive covenants, and he counsels employers on reductions in force and reorganizations, harassment issues, disability accommodation, terminations, collective bargaining strategies, and a host of other workplace issues.

Bobber has been lauded for his accomplishments throughout his career. He was the Best Lawyers^® 2015 Milwaukee Employment Law – Management “Lawyer of the Year,” holds an AV^® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell, has been recognized as one of the top labor and employment lawyers in Wisconsin by Chambers USA, and has been included among the Wisconsin Super Lawyers. Bobber earned his J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law with Order of the Coif distinction.

“I am very grateful for and excited about the opportunity to practice law as a shareholder of Ogletree Deakins. The firm’s record of client service and achieving superb results is outstanding. And I was especially excited to find at Ogletree Deakins a law firm culture of collegiality and teamwork that fits my values so well,” said Bobber. “I can tell you from 26 years of experience at Foley & Lardner that Foley is the premier, general practice corporate law firm in Wisconsin, and one of the very best in the country. But when it comes to labor and employment law, Ogletree Deakins is at the pinnacle of that practice. I cannot wait to bring its resources and its depth of talent and experience to the service of my clients.”

For 17 years, Froiland has represented employers before federal and state courts and administrative agencies throughout the country in all areas of employment law. He handles employment discrimination cases, Age Discrimination in Employment Act collective action claims, and reductions in force. Froiland also counsels employers on plant closing concerns, harassment issues, disability accommodation, problematic terminations, and a range of other workplace issues regarding the legal rights and obligations of employers. His traditional labor experience includes representing employers in arbitrations, campaigns, and labor negotiations.

“Ogletree Deakins offers an extraordinary depth of expertise, a broad geographical footprint, and a cost structure that is specifically tailored for cutting-edge labor and employment law issues. This is what clients have been asking for,” said Froiland. “I am very excited to join the Ogletree Deakins team.”

Froiland is very active in the Milwaukee community. He is a board member for the Urban Ecology Center, a non-profit that brings together children and families from all Milwaukee neighborhoods to teach science and environmental education. He has previously served as president of the board of directors for the Alma Center, a nonprofit organization that treats men who have perpetrated domestic violence upon women, and seeks to end the cycle of violence by providing education on anger management, fatherhood, and drug and alcohol issues. Froiland sings in Milwaukee’s Bel Canto Chorus, and assists with the Whitefish Bay High School Mock Trial Team. Froiland earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Indiana University, with Order of the Coif Distinction, where he also served as Editor-In-Chief for the Indiana Law Journal. Before starting private practice, Froiland clerked with the Hon. Jesse Eschbach at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

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. Premier client service, as outlined in the firm’s Client Pledge, is one of the firm’s top priorities and a cornerstone of its core values. U.S. News – Best Lawyers^® “Best Law Firms” has named Ogletree Deakins a “Law Firm of the Year” for five consecutive years. In 2016, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its “Law Firm of the Year” in the Employment Law – Management category. Ogletree Deakins has 750 attorneys located in 48 offices across the United States, in Europe, and in Mexico. The firm represents a diverse range of clients, from small businesses to Fortune 50 companies.