NEW YORK, NY (October 10, 2024) Nationwide employment law firm Jackson Lewis P.C. is pleased to announce Principals Neil H. Dishman, Maurice G. Jenkins, Howard Shapiro, René E. Thorne and Richard F. Vitarelli have been included in Lawdragon’s 2025 “500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers” list. The guide recognizes employment attorneys from across the nation whose dedication to providing exceptional legal counsel is fundamental to the continued success of their clients.
“This recognition reflects the dedication that Neil, Maurice, Howard, René and Richard bring to their work each day,” said Firm Chair Kevin Lauri. “By staying ahead of evolving legal landscapes and delivering proactive solutions, they have gained the trust of our clients and made a lasting impact across the industries we support. We are thrilled that their achievements and pivotal roles in driving our firm's success are being acknowledged on such a respected scale.”
Neil is a principal in the firm’s Chicago office. His practice concentrates on providing advice and defense to clients facing the spectrum of employment-related claims, including discrimination, harassment, retaliatory discharge, family and medical leave, and wage-hour matters. With significant experience in the real estate, non-profit, manufacturing, and healthcare industries, Neil frequently provides tailored, preventive, and solution-oriented guidance to help employers reduce compliance risk, resolve employee disputes, and ultimately avoid litigation. He was recognized for his labor and employment, particularly litigation, practice. He earned his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and his B.A. from Hanover College.
Maurice is a principal in the firm’s Detroit office. With more than 30 years of experience practicing labor and employment law, Maurice is a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. He has first-chaired jury trials, labor and civil rights arbitrations, National Labor Relations Board hearings and state civil rights administrative cases on behalf of employers. Maurice also has extensive experience investigating workplace incidents, misconduct, and harassment claims, as well as handling whistleblower issues and assessing compliance with financial and conflict of interest regulations for multinational companies. He was recognized for his labor and employment, particularly litigation, practice. Maurice earned both his J.D. and B.A. in Accounting from Michigan State University.
Howard serves as co-leader of Jackson Lewis’ ERISA Complex Litigation group and is a principal in the firm’s New Orleans office. Howard is also a member of Lawdragon’s Hall of Fame, recognizing outstanding lawyers who have made remarkable contributions to the legal profession. He focuses his practice on the defense of large, sophisticated ERISA class actions, where damages are potentially material. Howard’s national practice includes the defense of Defined Benefit Plans, 401(k) Plans, 403(b) Plans, and litigation involving health and welfare plan issues. He was recognized for his ERISA litigation practice. Howard earned his J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, his M.A. from McGill University, and his B.A. from Tulane University.
René serves as co-leader of the firm's ERISA Complex Litigation group and is a principal in the New Orleans office. Her national practice is devoted exclusively to the full range of complex benefit litigation matters, including the representation of employers, plans, plan fiduciaries, third-party administrators and trustees. René has successfully handled complex ERISA claims of breaches of fiduciary duties, prohibited transactions and cash balance matters. She has also testified as an expert on these issues in federal court. René is nationally recognized by Chambers USA and The Legal 500, and she was recognized by Lawdragon for her employee benefits and ERISA litigation practice. She earned her J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans School of Law and her B.A. from Loyola University New Orleans.
Rick co-leads the Jackson Lewis’ nationwide Labor Relations group and the Transactional Services group, and is a principal in the firm’s Hartford office. He represents employers throughout the U.S. in strategic labor relations and collective bargaining matters, including in the context of mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and bankruptcy. Rick serves as strategic labor and employment counsel to businesses, transactional law firms, and multi-employer associations in various industries, including construction, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare and senior living, airline, commercial laundry, transportation and distribution, and state and local government. He was recognized for his labor and employment, particularly unions, practice. He earned his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School and his B.A. from Boston College.
About Jackson Lewis
Focused on labor and employment law since 1958, Jackson Lewis P.C.’s 1,000+ attorneys located in major cities nationwide consistently identify and respond to new ways workplace law intersects business. We help employers develop proactive strategies, strong policies and business-oriented solutions to cultivate high-functioning workforces that are engaged, stable and diverse, and share our clients' goals to emphasize inclusivity and respect for the contribution of every employee.
Additional information about the firm can be found at jacksonlewis.com.
For more information, please contact:
Lara Hamm, Chief Communications Officer
T: (267) 319-7803 / E: Lara.Hamm@jacksonlewis.com
###
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Jackson Lewis P.C. offices that are responsible for the content of this advertisement include New York, NY; Hartford, CT; New Orleans, LA; and Orlando, FL. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.