Jackson Lewis Continues Expansion of Phoenix Office
JACKSON LEWIS CONTINUES EXPANSION OF PHOENIX OFFICE
Adds Six Labor & Employment Attorneys Expands Phoenix Arm of National Law Practice Ranks Among Largest Labor & Employment Practices in Region
WHITE PLAINS, NY, January 19, 2010 – Jackson Lewis (www.jacksonlewis.com), one of the largest and fastest-growing workplace law firms in the United States, with more than 600 attorneys in 45 offices, announced that six attorneys from the Phoenix office of Ford & Harrison LLP have joined the firm, significantly increasing the firm’s presence in the greater Phoenix area and beyond. Richard S. Cohen and Stephanie M. Cerasano have both joined the firm as Partners, and Justin S. Pierce has joined the firm as Of Counsel. Also joining are Associates Stephen B. Coleman, Sonya K. Boun, and Kylie Crawford TenBrook.
With this addition, Jackson Lewis will have ten attorneys in the Phoenix office, making it one of the largest specialized legal practices in the region. The office is located at 2390 East Camelback Road, Suite 305, Phoenix, AZ 85016.
“All are welcome additions to the firm and the Phoenix office,” says Amy Gittler, Managing Partner of the firm’s Phoenix office. “They are a respected group of accomplished practitioners, who are well-established in our local legal community. This presents a wonderful opportunity to strengthen and expand our office.”
“We are excited to join Jackson Lewis and help grow their Phoenix office,” said Richard S. Cohen. “Being part of Jackson Lewis provides access to a much larger national platform to better serve clients. We look forward to collaborating with our new colleagues in Phoenix and the other Southwest and West Coast offices of Jackson Lewis.”
Richard S. Cohen is an A.V. rated attorney, who was previously the managing partner of Ford & Harrison’s Phoenix office. He brings to Jackson Lewis his extensive experience in every facet of employment law at the administrative, trial and appellate levels. He also has a substantial mediation and arbitration practice and vast experience negotiating and preparing executive employment agreements and executive separation packages and successfully litigating trade secret and misappropriation disputes. For over ten years, he has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America® in the category of Labor and Employment Law. He is listed in the highest tier of Chambers USA in the category of Labor and Employment Law. Mr. Cohen received his B.A. from Rutgers University in 1968 and his J.D. from George Washington University Law School in 1971 where he graduated with honors.
Stephanie M. Cerasano’s practice focuses on the defense of employers with a particular focus in the areas of disability discrimination, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and wage and hour law. She represents employers in federal and state court, as well as before administrative agencies. Beyond the litigation context, Ms. Cerasano assists with employee handbooks, writing employment contracts, and training managers.
She is a frequent speaker, presenter and writer on employment-law topics and has authored the Arizona Employers Policy and Handbook Guide. In the category of Labor and Employment, Ms. Cerasano is listed in The Best Lawyers in America®. She received her B.A. from the State University of New York at Albany in 1992 where she graduated cum laude, and her J.D., magna cum laude, from Arizona State University College of Law in 1996.
Justin S. Pierce’s practice primarily involves representing employers in wrongful termination and discrimination claims before various government agencies charged with investigating and prosecuting employment claims. Additionally, he advises employers about preventing employment claims and assessing potential risks for proposed employment actions, and has extensive experience representing Arizona public entities before the EEOC and federal and state courts in termination, discrimination and harassment claims. Mr. Pierce received his B.S. from Arizona State University in 2000 and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center¸ cum laude, in 2003, where he served as the Executive Editor of the Georgetown Journal of Law and Public Policy.
“We are delighted to have these accomplished attorneys join the Phoenix office and our firm,” said Patrick L. Vaccaro, firm-wide managing partner. “With this initiative we have greatly expanded our talent base and bench strength not only in Phoenix but throughout the Southwest. For such a distinguished and experienced group to join our Phoenix office is a great coup for Amy and our firm and speaks volumes about our reputation in the marketplace.”
About Jackson Lewis
Founded in 1958, Jackson Lewis is dedicated to representing management exclusively in workplace law with more than 600 attorneys practicing in 45 cities nationwide. Jackson Lewis has a wide range of specialized practice areas, including: Affirmative Action and OFCCP Diversity Planning; Disability, Leave and Health Management; Employee Benefits, including Complex ERISA Litigation, Workplace Privacy and Executive Compensation; Global Immigration; Labor, including Preventive Practices; Litigation, including Class Actions, Complex Litigation and e-Discovery; Trade Secrets, Non-Competes and Workplace Technology; Wage and Hour Compliance; and Workplace Safety Compliance. In addition, Jackson Lewis provides advice nationally in other workplace law areas, including: Reductions in Force, WARN Act; Corporate Governance and Internal Investigations; Drug Testing and Substance Abuse Management; International Issues; Management Education, including e-Based Training; Alternative Dispute Resolution; Public Sector Issues; Government Relations; Corporate Diversity Counseling, and College and University Employment Law and Compliance Issues.
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Contact: Roger Ardan/Christina Cozzi rardan@gibbs-soell.com ccozzi@gibbs-soell.com 212-697-2600