Ogletree Deakins Strengthens Workplace Safety and Health Capabilities in Rocky Mountain Region

DENVER– June 13, 2016 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to announce that Cole Wist, one of the founding shareholders of the firm’s Denver office, has rejoined Ogletree Deakins as a shareholder. Wist returns to Ogletree Deakins from the Denver office of Holland & Hart, where he was co-chair of the firm’s Workplace Safety and Emergency Response Practice Group. His arrival will immediately strengthen the firm’s workplace safety and health capabilities in the Rocky Mountain region.

Wist has represented management in all aspects of labor and employment law for more than 25 years. He focuses the majority of his practice on matters related to workplace safety and health and industrial crisis management. He regularly counsels clients following disasters in a wide variety of industries, including construction sites, surface and underground mines, cement plants, pipelines, electrical generation facilities, smelters, and chemical plants. Wist also frequently defends clients in high-stakes litigation on a range of matters following workplace accidents and other emergencies. Wist handles regulatory matters before federal and state agencies involved in safety and health enforcement, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA), and Chemical Safety Board. In addition, he advises and trains employers regarding inspection strategies, liability prevention, and crisis management. Wist also regularly represents employers in whistleblower cases filed under various federal statutes related to workplace safety and health.   

“Cole is well-connected in the Denver legal and business community, and with his arrival we are significantly bolstering our workplace safety and health capabilities in the Rocky Mountain region,” said Austin Smith, managing shareholder of Ogletree Deakins’ Denver office. “Cole’s experience defending clients in complex matters concerning workplace accidents and emergencies will positively impact our clients based in Colorado and across the region.”

Wist is very active in the Colorado legal community. He currently serves as a member of the Colorado General Assembly as State Representative for House District 37. He previously served on the Executive Committee of the Colorado Lawyers Committee, is a Fellow of the American and Colorado Bar Foundations, and was appointed by the Governor to the Colorado Task Force on Civil Justice Reform. Wist has earned recognition throughout his career, including being listed in The Best Lawyers in America and Colorado Super Lawyers. He holds an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Wist earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

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 more than 750 attorneys located in 49 offices across the United States and in Europe, Canada, and Mexico. The firm represents a diverse range of clients, from small businesses to Fortune 50 companies.