Ogletree Deakins Enhances Texas Capabilities, Welcomes Group of Employment Attorneys in Dallas

DALLAS – March 30, 2017 – Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to welcome eminent labor and employment litigator Jonathan Wilson as a shareholder, and Jeffrey Leslie and James McBride as associates, in the firm’s Dallas office. Wilson, Leslie, and McBride join Ogletree Deakins from Littler Mendelson, where they represented and advised employers in a full range of labor and employment law matters. Previously, Wilson chaired the labor and employment law practice and co-chaired the wage and hour litigation group at Haynes and Boone, where he practiced for more than 27 years. Wilson is the second Texas-based shareholder to join Ogletree Deakins this year. The firm welcomed Shafeeqa Watkins Giarratani as the Austin office’s co-managing shareholder in January.

“Jonathan is an excellent litigator with extensive trial experience spanning an array of industries and employment-related legal matters,” said Bryant McFall, managing shareholder of Ogletree Deakins’ Dallas office. “Jonathan also has extensive traditional labor experience that will add bench strength to our traditional labor practice in Dallas. Jonathan and his team of associates are dedicated to providing the same exceptional client service Ogletree Deakins is known for, and their expansive experience will provide an immediate benefit to our clients in Dallas, the state of Texas, and nationwide.”

Wilson has nearly 35 years of experience representing employers in labor and employment law matters. He is board certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and has tried dozens of cases to juries, judges, arbitrators, and administrative agencies. Wilson regularly defends employers in wage and hour cases, discrimination and whistleblower lawsuits, executive contract disputes, and fiduciary and unfair competition claims. He has also successfully represented employers in union organizing drives, unfair labor practice and representation cases before the National Labor Relations Board, negotiations of collective bargaining agreements, and labor arbitrations. Wilson has represented clients in a variety of industries, including energy, hospitality, manufacturing, service, private equity, healthcare, and transportation.

Wilson has been lauded for his accomplishments by prestigious legal organizations and publications. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA, and Super Lawyers, and was elected as a Fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. Wilson earned his J.D., with honors, from the University of Wyoming.

Ogletree Deakins has experienced tremendous growth during the first quarter of 2017. The firm opened offices in Paris, Oklahoma City, and Toronto, and has welcomed 13 lateral shareholders since January. Earlier this month, the firm announced that Jim Plunkett, former director for labor law policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, was named co-chair of Ogletree Governmental Affairs.

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.