Ogletree Deakins Grows New York City Office

NEW YORK – January 11, 2016 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to welcome Patrick M. Collins as a shareholder in the firm’s New York City office. Collins joins Ogletree Deakins from McCarter & English, LLP, and his arrival bolsters the firm’s employment law, litigation, and traditional labor experience in New York and the Northeast. Collins has a depth of experience representing employers in the energy and utilities, media, construction, fashion and hospitality industries.

“Patrick is an experienced and pragmatic lawyer who can strategically and efficiently handle the complex labor and employment law issues that employers face in New York and throughout the Northeast,” said Ronald Kreismann, managing shareholder of Ogletree Deakins’ New York City office.

Collins has represented employers in all aspects of labor and employment law and workplace related disputes, including current, vexing issues such as FLSA overtime claims, minimum wage and overtime rules, and “ban the box” laws. Throughout his career of more than two decades, Collins has amassed a wide range of experience representing management in labor and employment litigation and administrative proceedings, including defense of federal and state court actions involving claims of employment discrimination, wage and hour violations, breach of contract, and restrictive covenants. Collins also has substantial experience representing employers in labor arbitrations and actions before the NLRB; devising strategies against unlawful strikes and picketing; negotiating and drafting collective bargaining agreements; and advice and counsel regarding union organizing campaigns and elections. In his counseling practice, Collins regularly assists employers in preparing and negotiating severance and non-compete agreements and conducting workplace investigations. He also provides advice on employment policies, reductions in force, and conducting training for employees and supervisors.

Collins has been lauded by his peers for his legal skills and practical approach, which has led to him being ranked in Chambers USA for a number of years. He regularly speaks and writes on current issues in labor law and co-authored the 2012-15 editions of the leading treatise, Employer’s Guide to Union Organizing Campaigns (Wolters Kluwer Law & Business).  He earned his J.D., cum laude, from Boston University School of Law and a B.A. from Fordham University.

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