Ogletree Deakins Promotes Five to Office Managing Shareholder

ATLANTA – January 6, 2025 – Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to announce five new office managing shareholders. The new leaders include Donald (Doni) Bulea in the firm’s Detroit (Metro) office, Ryan Martin in Montréal, Nonnie Shivers in Phoenix, Christine Bestor Townsend in Milwaukee, and Lori Winland in Oklahoma City. More than half of the newly promoted office managing shareholders are women.

Bulea succeeds Meg Alli as office managing shareholder in Detroit. Bulea, who has been with Ogletree Deakins for five years, has successfully represented employers in litigation in state and federal courts in Ohio and Michigan, as well as arbitration. His litigation practice involves claims for discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) interference and retaliation.

Martin, who assumes the role of Montréal office managing partner, has been with the firm since the office’s founding in 2019. His comprehensive practice covers a spectrum of critical areas, including dismissals, layoffs, workplace health and safety, work-related accidents, employment standards, human rights, and labor relations. Martin also handles the review and preparation of noncompetition, nonsolicitation, and confidentiality agreements.

As office managing shareholder in Phoenix, Shivers follows Christopher Meister. Shivers has practiced at Ogletree Deakins for nearly 20 years and previously served on the firm’s Board of Directors for six years. She advises and counsels employers in all aspects of employment law, including an emphasis on complex but proactive compliance projects, such as 50-state compliant wage deductions and lawful parental leave programs. Shivers also serves as co-chair of the firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Practice Group.

Townsend succeeds David Froiland as office managing shareholder in Milwaukee. With nearly a decade of experience practicing at Ogletree Deakins, Townsend devotes a substantial amount of her practice to proactively assisting employers in complying with state and federal employment laws, navigating complex leave and accommodation situations, and handling personnel issues. She also co-chairs the firm’s Unfair Competition and Trade Secrets Practice Group.

Winland follows Sam Fulkerson as office managing shareholder in Oklahoma City. Winland has been with the firm since 2018 and has substantial experience in administrative and regulatory law and litigation. In addition to representing employers in litigation matters in state and federal courts, she frequently advises governmental entities and private entities doing business with the government on ethics, employment, open government, procurement, and contracting issues.

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. Best Law Firms^® has named Ogletree Deakins a “Law Firm of the Year” for 14 consecutive years. In the 2025 edition, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its “Law Firm of the Year” in the Litigation – Labor and Employment category. Ogletree Deakins has more than 1050 attorneys located in 59 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