HOUSTON, (February 11, 2008) - Jackson Lewis LLP, one of the country's largest and fastest growing workplace law firms, has hired Teresa Valderrama as a partner in its Houston office. Recruited from the international law firm of Baker Botts LLP, she joins attorneys Joseph "Chip" Galagaza, Kathleen Barrow, W. Lance Stodghill, and Heather Panick, who have helped generate a surge of local client demand for the firm's services.
"Teresa is an exceptionally talented workplace law attorney and brings a wealth of Fortune 500 experience to the Jackson Lewis team," says Christopher Antone, Managing Partner of the Dallas/Houston region of Jackson Lewis. "Along with our current team of attorneys, she brings a new depth of services to our clientele."
Ms. Valderrama has 20 years experience handling workplace claims and employee-related business disputes; advising management in all aspects of employment and labor law; and handling internal investigations. She has specialized interest in the energy, airline, insurance, manufacturing and education industries. She has been named a "Top 50 Female Super Lawyer" by Texas Monthly and Law & Politics magazines and has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America every year since 1999, and the Chambers USA Guide America's Leading Business Lawyers every year since 2004.
Ms. Valderrama also counsels with and represents management on a broad range of pre- and post-litigation labor and employment law matters, including matters arising under the National Labor Relations Act, Railway Labor Act, Title VII, Fair Labor Standards Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, ERISA, Americans with Disabilities Act, Texas Labor Code, and other federal and state statutory and common law affecting the workplace.
Also joining the firm with Ms. Valderrama is associate Jeff Barnes. Formerly with the Houston office of Baker Botts, Mr. Barnes represents both small and large companies in employment law and related class actions. In the area of employment law, Mr. Barnes defends claims under federal and state discrimination statutes, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and the whistleblower provisions of Sarbanes-Oxley and Sabine Pilot.
Mr. Barnes was named a "Texas Rising Star" by Texas Monthly and Law & Politics in 2007. He received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, and his B.A., magna cum laude, from Washington and Lee University.
"The Houston office has seen a tremendous increase of activity over the past year and Teresa and Jeff add to the depth of services we need to continue the momentum," says Patrick L. Vaccaro, firm-wide managing partner of Jackson Lewis. "Getting a person of Teresa's stature, reputation and experience is a tremendous achievement for our firm and we could not be more delighted. The addition of Teresa and Jeff brings the total professional complement of our Dallas/Houston region to 19 and we are not done expanding in this region of the country. It is a great market for us and for our style of practice."
About Jackson Lewis LLPFounded in 1958, Jackson Lewis LLP is dedicated to representing management exclusively in workplace law. The firm focuses on employment, labor, immigration, and benefits law and related litigation. With offices in 34 U.S. cities and more than 450 attorneys, Jackson Lewis has 17 specialized practice groups: Affirmative Action/OFCCP Diversity Planning ; Alternative Dispute Resolution; Class Action and Complex Litigation; Corporate Governance and Internal Investigations; Disability, Leave and Health Management; Drug Testing and Substance Abuse Management; Employee Benefits Counseling, Benefits Litigation, and Workplace Privacy; General Employment Litigation and e-Discovery; Immigration; International Employment Issues; Labor Relations, including Preventive Practices; Management Training, including e-Based Training; Public Sector; Reductions in Force and WARN; Trade Secrets, Non-Competes, and Workplace Technology; Wage and Hour Compliance; and Workplace Safety Compliance.
Additional information about Jackson Lewis LLP can be found at www.jacksonlewis.com.
For more information, please contact:Michele Coletta, Associate Marketing Director Jackson Lewis T: (212) 545-4019, E: colettam@jacksonlewis.com
Kara Dullea the bounce agency T: (864) 351-2736 E: kara.dullea@thebounceagency.com