Two Milwaukee Attorneys Tapped for National Leadership Positions

MILWAUKEE – June 5, 2018 – Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to announce that Milwaukee shareholders Eric Hobbs and David Froiland have been tapped as chairs of two the firm’s international and national practice groups. Eric Hobbs has been named co-chair of the firm’s international Workplace Safety and Health Practice Group. David Froiland is the new co-chair for the firm’s Reduction in Force/Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (RIF/WARN) Practice Group.

The attorneys in Ogletree Deakins’ Workplace Safety and Health Practice Group engage in a nationwide practice that includes the counseling of employers in occupational safety and health compliance and enforcement efforts by OSHA and the representation of employers in “egregious” and other significant litigation of contested OSHA cases before the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, corresponding OSHA state-plan adjudicatory agencies, and appellate courts.

In his role as attorney and strategic advisor, Hobbs engages in a nationwide labor and employment law practice, which includes the representation of employers in OSHA and MSHA enforcement and litigation, employment counseling and litigation, and traditional labor matters.  Hobbs represents employers of all sizes in a variety of industries from service to heavy manufacturing. He has litigated before state and federal agencies and courts throughout the United States and has experience in Canadian occupational safety and health laws issues.

Attorneys in the firm’s RIF/WARN Practice Group have extensive experience working with businesses in almost every industry and are knowledgeable in designing policies and selection documents to help employers of all sizes with reductions in force. These attorneys also advise numerous clients on the complex and sometimes ambiguous requirements of the WARN Act and the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA).

Froiland represents employers before federal and state courts and administrative agencies throughout the country in all areas of employment law, with particular focus on traditional labor law, employment discrimination cases, including ADEA collective action claims, and, notably, reductions in force. He is a frequent speaker, having presented at conferences throughout Wisconsin, and the country, including presentations on the WARN Act and reduction in force risk management. He also counsels employers on plant closing issues, harassment issues, disability accommodation, problem terminations, and a host of other workplace issues regarding the legal rights and obligations of employers. He also represents employers in labor arbitrations, labor negotiations and union campaigns.

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 seven consecutive years. In 2018, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its “Law Firm of the Year” in the Litigation – Labor & Employment category. Ogletree Deakins has more than 850 attorneys located in 53 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. www.ogletree.com