Ogletree Deakins Deepens Employment Litigation Practice, Welcomes Marlén Cortez Morris as Shareholder

CHICAGO – March 11, 2020 – Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, welcomes Marlén Cortez Morris to its Chicago office as shareholder. Marlén joins Ogletree Deakins from Barnes & Thornburg LLP and is an experienced litigator who regularly represents franchise industry and other corporate clients in employment law and complex commercial litigation matters in courts and alternative dispute resolution venues, and before government agencies, nationwide.

Marlén represents and advises clients on various aspects of the employment relationship, including wage and hour, discrimination and harassment, discipline and discharge, unemployment benefits, and the enforcement of restrictive covenants and protection of trade secrets. Her deep litigation experience also includes the enforcement of contract and intellectual property rights, as well as the defense of claims for breach of contract, business torts, state consumer protection violations, violations of franchise laws, and joint employment liability.

In addition to her litigation practice, Marlén proactively provides counseling and strategic guidance to clients on the complexities of labor and employment law and franchising. She helps franchisors navigate unique employment issues in their industry and regularly audits and advises on various aspects of franchise systems and operations.

“Marlén is an experienced and skilled litigator, who also possesses a depth of knowledge in helping employers understand and comply with the intricacies of employment law, both in Illinois and across the U.S.” said Richard Samson, managing shareholder of Ogletree Deakins’ Chicago office. “Marlén’s balanced approach to litigation and embodiment of the tenets of the Client Pledge will make her a valuable asset to the Chicago team as we continue to deliver premier client service.”

Marlén is highly recognized for her legal prowess, having been named a four-time Illinois Super Lawyers “Rising Star”, a top “Franchise Legal Player” by 1851 Franchise Magazine, a “Top Lawyer under 40” by the Hispanic National Bar Association, and to Crain’s Chicago Business’s “Notable Minority Executives in Accounting, Consulting & Law” list. She is active in the legal community, serving as a Diversity Institute Board Member for the International Franchise Association, Co-Chair of the Chicago chapter of the International Franchise Association Women’s Franchise Network, and an Associate Editor of the American Bar Association Franchise Law Journal. She is an active member of the American Bar Association’s Forum on Franchising and frequently speaks and writes on employment, diversity, and franchise law topics. Marlén earned her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Illinois College of Law, where she was an associate editor of the University of Illinois Law Review and earned the Rickert Award for Excellence in Advocacy. ​

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 10 consecutive years. In 2021, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its “Law Firm of the Year” in the Litigation – Labor & Employment category. Ogletree Deakins has more than 900 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