NEW YORK, NY (November 8, 2007) ? Jackson Lewis LLP, one of the country's largest and fastest growing workplace law firms, announced today that Amy Gittler, a prominent and accomplished Phoenix based labor and employment attorney, will join the firm as a partner and head its new Phoenix office. Initially, accompanying Ms. Gittler to Jackson Lewis will be associate Jeffrey Toppel.
Ms.? Gittler has over 30 years experience advising, counseling, and defending corporations and business owners on all aspects of workplace law and has received numerous national and regional awards, including recognition as one of the top litigators in the country by Lawdragon and honored by the State Bar of Arizona and the Maricopa County Bar Association as an Outstanding Woman and Minority Leader. She is an AV-rated attorney with the highest marks for legal ability and ethical standards.
Patrick L. Vaccaro, firm-wide managing partner of Jackson Lewis, says, "This is a very important and strategic development for our firm. We searched for several years to find the perfect candidate to 'plant our flag' in Arizona and we are honored that such a distinguished practitioner and successful business developer will lead our effort in the southwest. We are in serious discussions with several other laterals in the Phoenix area and hope to quickly add to our presence there. We are confident Amy will make a substantial contribution to our firm's continued growth and success."
Prior to joining Jackson Lewis Ms. Gittler was a partner in the law firm of Frazer Ryan Goldberg Arnold & Gittler LLP. Earlier in her career she was Executive Director of the Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest. In 1983, Ms. Gittler argued and prevailed before the U.S. Supreme Court in Arizona Governing Committee v. Norris, a case which held it is unlawful for an employer to pay lower monthly benefits to women than men upon retirement.
Commenting about her decision to join Jackson Lewis Ms. Gittler said, "The firm's national footprint and vast experience in workplace law distinguish it from others in the area, giving Jackson Lewis a chance at a significant presence in the Phoenix legal community."
Ms. Gittler joins three other prominent women coming to the firm as partners within the last two weeks, Jane McFetridge and Nadine Abrahams in Chicago and Ren? Thorne in New Orleans. LeRoy Watkins, Co-Chair of the Jackson Lewis Diversity Committee says, "With the addition of these outstanding attorneys, we have three additional major Jackson Lewis offices led by women. This is an incredibly significant event for us and for the legal community, and underscores our commitment to diversity."
Ms. Gittler received her J.D. in 1977 from Northwestern University and her B.A. from Oberlin College where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa. Mr. Toppel is a graduate of Chicago-Kent College of Law and the University of Illinois.
The Phoenix opening marks the 32nd location for Jackson Lewis and the 11th the firm has opened in the past 18 months. The Phoenix office is located at 2375 East Camelback Road, Suite 500. Ms. Gittler and Mr. Toppel can be reached at (602) 714-7044.
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 32 U.S. cities and 435 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
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