Ogletree Deakins Opens 7th California Office, Expands into Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. – June 3, 2024 – Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to announce that it has opened an office in Fresno, California, which is the firm’s 55^th overall and its seventh in California. James D. Miller, who joins Ogletree Deakins from RAIMONDO | MILLER, will serve as the Fresno office’s managing shareholder. Additional founding members of the office include shareholders Ryan Porte and Kevin Piercy, and associates Timothy Hastie and Taylor Ealand, all from RAIMONDO | MILLER.

The Fresno office will bolster the bench strength Ogletree Deakins has built across the state, which includes more than 160 attorneys in Los Angeles, Orange County, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Diego, and Torrance.

“California employers continue to face challenges in complying with growing employment-related obligations, as well as increasing litigation. Fresno serves as a central point for the state, and our new office there allows us to better serve our clients’ California needs,” said Liz Washko, managing shareholder of Ogletree Deakins. “We are confident that James, Ryan, and Kevin’s deep litigation experience, high standards for client service, and intimate knowledge of the local business landscape make them the right fit to lead our entry into Fresno.”

With a legal career spanning 25 years, Miller is an experienced trial attorney whose practice focuses on employment litigation, including class and representative actions and traditional labor. Miller has particular experience in the agricultural and dairy industry, including both the grower/farmer side and farm labor contracting defense. Miller is a Fresno native and has practiced there for nearly his entire legal career. He earned his J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law and his B.A. from the University of California, San Diego.

“Ogletree Deakins has a national platform of excellent attorneys with a reputation for delivering unparalleled client service. Our culture aligns with the firm’s core values, and I am thrilled to lead the charge into Fresno,” said Miller. “We are poised to make an immediate and impactful entrance.”

Porte’s practice focuses on counseling and defending employers in class and representative actions, as well as single plaintiff employment disputes. Prior to law school, Porte served as an Officer in the United States Army. He earned his J.D., with honors, from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, his M.A. from the University of Oklahoma, and his B.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Piercy is an experienced litigator, including significant experience in class and representative actions. Prior to law school, Piercy served as a Human Intelligence Collector (Interrogator) in the United States Army. He earned his J.D. from the University of Southern California and his B.A., magna cum laude, fromCalifornia State University, Fresno.

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, including business immigration, employee benefits, and workplace safety. 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. Best Law Firms^® has named Ogletree Deakins a “Law Firm of the Year” for 13 consecutive years. In the 2024 edition, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its “Law Firm of the Year” in the Employment Law – Management category. Ogletree Deakins has more than 975 attorneys located in 55 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