PORTLAND, Maine – June 4, 2018 – Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to announce that the firm is opening its 53rd office, which will be located in Portland, Maine. Byrne Decker, who joins the firm from Pierce Atwood, will serve as the office’s managing shareholder. Steven Silver and Scott Pomeroy also join from Pierce Atwood and will serve as associate and counsel, respectively. Pomeroy will practice out of the firm’s Boston office. The Portland office will also be supported by current firm shareholder Dani Vanderzanden, who is based in Boston and also practices in Maine.
The Portland, Maine office is Ogletree Deakins’ first office in Maine and sixth office in the Northeastern United States. The firm also has offices in Boston, Morristown, N.J., New York City, Philadelphia, and Stamford, Conn.
Decker is an experienced ERISA and employee benefits litigator whose nationwide ERISA litigation practice is focused primarily on representing life, health, and disability insurers. He serves as national counsel for several large insurers, has appeared in district courts in every federal judicial circuit and has an active appellate practice with respect to benefits issues. In addition to defending appeals in several Circuit Courts of Appeals and State Supreme Courts, Decker has authored several briefs and petitions to the United States Supreme Court.
“We are excited to officially enter the Portland, Maine market,” said Matt Keen, managing shareholder of Ogletree Deakins. “Byrne is a veteran attorney who has practiced in Maine for many years. His extensive ERISA litigation experience will be a tremendous asset to our clients, and we are looking forward to his team joining our firm. We also look forward to the synergies between our Portland and Boston offices.”
“I am very excited to join Ogletree, with its national footprint,” said Decker. “Transitioning my national ERISA litigation practice to Ogletree’s platform will allow me to serve clients even more effectively.”
Decker is an AV® Preeminent™ Martindale-Hubbell rated lawyer, a New England Super Lawyer, and is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America. He is a frequent speaker and author on various ERISA issues and is the current vice-chair of the DRI Life, Health, and Disability Committee. Decker earned his J.D., summa cum laude, from The American University, Washington College of Law and his B.A., cum laude, from Colby College.
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 seven consecutive years. In 2018, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its “Law Firm of the Year” in the Litigation – Labor & Employment category. Ogletree Deakins has more than 850 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