ATLANTA – February 2, 2022 – Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, has elected Liz Washko as the firm’s new Managing Director. She was elected to the position during Ogletree Deakins’ annual Shareholder meeting, which was held virtually. Liz succeeds Joe Beachboard, who completed his six year term in the role and remains with the firm. She, along with Managing Director John Gerak and Ogletree Deakins’ Firm Managing Shareholder, Matt Keen, comprise the Executive Committee of the firm’s Board of Directors, responsible for the firm’s strategic direction and daily affairs. Liz joined Ogletree Deakins in 2000 as an associate and was elected shareholder in 2003. Her election to Managing Director is the latest in a number of leadership roles she’s held during her tenure with Ogletree Deakins, including as the Office Managing Shareholder in Nashville, founder and co-chair of the firm’s Pay Equity Practice Group, member of the firm’s Compensation Committee, and, most recently, as a member of the firm’s Board of Directors.
Liz’s practice features a depth of experience representing employers in a broad array of industries in single plaintiff and class/collective action litigation and in matters before state and federal agencies. She has particular experience defending employers in Fair Labor Standards Act collective actions, in pay discrimination cases (individual plaintiff and class/collective actions), and conducting proactive pay audits and pay equity analyses.
Liz is active in her professional communities, including through her membership and participation in ODWIN (Ogletree Deakins’ Women’s Initiative) and the Lawyers Association for Women. She is a member of the American Health Lawyers’ Association (AHLA) and is the past-chair of the Labor and Employment practice group of the AHLA. Liz also is a member of the Labor Standards Legislation Subcommittee of the American Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Section.
Liz is highly acclaimed by her peers and clients for her legal acumen and client-centric approach in delivering premier client service and counsel. This is reflected in her being inducted as a Fellow into the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and consistently recognized by Best Lawyers® in the Employment Law – Management and Litigation – Labor and Employment categories. Liz is featured in the Acritas Stars report, which is based on feedback from nearly 4,000 general counsel and other senior leaders at legal departments around the world. The report lists lawyers who provide exceptional client service and is created entirely by client feedback.
Liz currently lives in Nashville with her husband and her two teenage sons.
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 11 consecutive years. In 2022, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its “Law Firm of the Year” in the Employment Law – Management 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, including many of the Fortune 50 companies in the U.S. www.ogletree.com