Ogletree Deakins Opens 50th Office, Strengthens Capabilities in California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – January 9, 2017 – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to announce that it has opened an office in Sacramento, Calif., expanding the firm’s presence in California and bolstering its capabilities for assisting clients with operations on the West Coast. The Sacramento office is the firm’s 50^th internationally and its sixth in California. The Sacramento office joins a network of offices across the state that includes more than 125 attorneys in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco, San Diego, and Torrance. Anthony (Tony) DeCristoforo, who joins Ogletree Deakins from Stoel Rives LLP, will serve as the Sacramento office’s founding and managing shareholder.

DeCristoforo has more than 20 years of experience representing employers in employment litigation, including wage and hour class actions and claims of discrimination, wrongful termination, and sexual harassment. He also regularly advises employers on a wide range of employment-related issues, including wage and hour law, employment agreements, employee handbooks, and statutory leave rights.    

DeCristoforo will be supported in Sacramento by Ogletree shareholder Bob Jones and of counsel Becki Graham. Jones is the former California State Deputy Secretary, Special Counsel for the Labor and Workforce Development Agency. He is also chair of the firm’s California Wage and Hour Practice Group and co-chair of the National Wage and Hour Practice Group. Graham, a native of the Sacramento region, has extensive experience in all areas of employment law including employment discrimination, trade secret and unfair competition, leaves of absence, and wage and hour. The Sacramento office is expected to grow quickly.  

“California law is ever-changing and continues to present legal challenges for employers doing business in the state,” said Matt Keen, managing shareholder of Ogletree Deakins. “We are confident that Tony is a great fit who will successfully guide our entry into Sacramento and immediately offer clients the excellent service and value they’ve come to know at Ogletree.”

“It’s a very exciting time to be a labor and employment lawyer, and the unique opportunity to lead Ogletree’s presence in Sacramento was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse,” said DeCristoforo. “Ogletree is well known across the country for its quality of lawyers, vast experience, and commitment to client service and value. I’m excited to join the firm and look forward to growing our presence in California.”

An active speaker, DeCristoforo regularly presents on labor and employment law topics for organizations including the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) and Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Active in the Sacramento legal community, he has served as a judge pro tem for the Sacramento County Superior Court and a volunteer attorney for the Voluntary Legal Services Program of Northern California. DeCristoforo earned his J.D. from Santa Clara University and earlier received a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley.

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 six consecutive years. In 2017, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its “Law Firm of the Year” in the Labor Law – Management category. Ogletree Deakins has more than 750 attorneys located in 50 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.