HOUSTON, Texas, Oct. 18, 2006 - In response to economic growth in the region and client demands for a local presence in Houston, the employment law firm of Jackson Lewis announces the opening of its newest office there.
The opening marks the workplace law firm's 27th office nationwide and is an integral part of the firm's natural growth, according to Christopher C. Antone, managing partner of Jackson Lewis' Dallas office.
Joseph G. (Chip) Galagaza, a long-time Houston resident and highly regarded labor and employment law attorney, is the newly hired resident partner for the Houston office. He will be supported by Antone, who will be the Houston office's managing partner, and Paul Hash, who manages litigation in Texas. Antone will also continue in his role as managing partner in the Dallas office.
"We are excited about the opportunity to bring our very special style of practice to the Houston market," said Patrick L. Vaccaro, the firm's Managing Partner. "And we are especially pleased to have someone of Chip's talent and integrity to help lead us. We expect great things from Chip and our Houston team."
The new office will meet the demands for labor and employment lawyers in the city due to an increase in employers in the region and two major growth areas, wage and hour matters and a rise in labor union activity, according to Galagaza.
"Our clients have asked us for a greater presence in the city," said Antone. "Our caseload has greatly expanded. So, it is a necessity to have a Houston office. This will help us serve our clients more efficiently throughout the Gulf Coast and South Texas."
After practicing labor and employment law in Houston for the past 25 years, Galagaza possesses extensive knowledge and familiarity with Houston's legal and human resources community, is well versed in the complexity of the labor and employment laws of the state and city, and enjoys an "impeccable reputation," according to Antone. His labor law experience ranges from litigation to preventive measures.
Galagaza, who recently left his position as partner in the Houston office of another national law firm, is excited about the prospect of being the leading presence in the new office. "It's an exciting challenge to open a brand new office for a national labor and employment law firm," he said. "My hope is that we grow exponentially."
The new Jackson Lewis Houston office is located at 500 Jefferson Street, Suite 2000, Houston, TX 77002-7371: Phone (713) 650-0404.
Jackson Lewis consistently receives outstanding recognition by peers and clients alike. The firm was named as one of the top twenty "Go To" firms in a recent survey of Fortune 250 companies conducted by American Lawyer Media's Corporate Counsel magazine. The firm was also named a top tier labor and employment law firm in the 2006 edition of Chambers USA, an international guide to America's business lawyers published by the London-based Chambers and Partners. And, most recently, Antone and eight other Jackson Lewis labor attorneys were honored in the Top 100 Labor Attorneys in the United States, as determined by the Labor Relations Institute.
Galagaza received his J.D. from Southern Methodist University (1980), and his A.B. from Kenyon College with distinction (1977). He also attended the University of Exeter in England (1975-76). He is a member of the Houston Bar Association and is admitted to the Texas and U.S. Supreme Court bars. He is Board Certified (Labor & Employment Law) by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Founded in 1958, Jackson Lewis is dedicated to representing management exclusively in workplace law. The firm focuses solely on employment, labor, immigration and benefits law and related litigation. The firm also has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Greenville, Hartford, Long Island, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Morristown, New York, Orange County, CA, Orlando, Pittsburgh, Portland OR, Providence, Raleigh-Durham, Richmond, Sacramento, San Francisco, Seattle, Stamford, Washington DC Region and White Plains.