Former U.S. Chamber of Commerce Policy Director Named Co-Chair of Ogletree Governmental Affairs

WASHINGTON – March 20, 2017 – Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to welcome Jim Plunkett, former director for labor law policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as Senior Government Relations Counsel in the firm’s Washington office. Plunkett will serve as co-chair of Ogletree Governmental Affairs (OGA), an Ogletree Deakins subsidiary. OGA is a full service legislative and regulatory affairs consulting firm dedicated to helping clients solve their problems with the public sector and providing solutions to regulatory issues outside the courtroom.

“We are very excited to welcome Jim to our Governmental Relations practice,” said Hal Coxson, a shareholder in Ogletree Deakins’ Washington office and co-chair of OGA. “It’s rare to find someone as talented, experienced, and well-regarded on both sides of the aisle as Jim. We know that his vast experience advocating for businesses in labor and employment law policy will benefit our clients immensely.”

As the director for labor policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Plunkett focused on legislation, regulations, and policy decisions that impact the workplace, including activity concerning the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Department of Labor (DOL), and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), as well as international labor issues. Prior to joining the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Plunkett served as an attorney in private practice, advising employers on their legal obligations arising under federal laws such as the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act). He has also conducted collective bargaining negotiations and drafted employee handbooks on behalf of clients.

Plunkett is a popular speaker and well-known writer on labor and employment law topics. He earned his J.D. from Boston College Law School and earlier received a B.A. from James Madison University.

“Jim is a well-known advocate for employers whose client service-focused mentality will fit in seamlessly at our firm,” said Margo Lopez, managing shareholder of Ogletree Deakins’ Washington office. “We are thrilled to welcome him to the Washington office as our esteemed colleague.”    

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 six consecutive years. In 2017, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its “Law Firm of the Year” in the Labor Law – Management category. Ogletree Deakins has more than 800 attorneys located in 52 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.