NEW YORK, NY (January 30, 2025) National employment law firm Jackson Lewis P.C. is pleased to announce Kevin Lauri has been re-elected by the firm’s principals as firm chair for a second term, which began January 1, 2025.
“Kevin’s re-election as firm chair is a clear reflection of the extraordinary growth and success Jackson Lewis has achieved under his leadership,” members of the firm’s succession committee said in a joint statement. “His vision and dedication have significantly advanced the firm’s standing and capabilities.”
Samantha N. Hoffman was also re-elected as firm managing principal. Samantha, whose first term as managing principal of the firm began in October 2020, helps oversee national strategic and business operations, along with leading numerous key firm initiatives.
“Samantha’s outstanding leadership is a significant driver of our firm’s success, and I’m excited for her to continue as firm managing principal,” Kevin noted.
Jackson Lewis' leadership has prioritized evolving and strengthening the firm's practice and industry groups to better address clients' challenges in the coming year. This strategic evolution has resulted in a reorganization of these groups and the appointment of new national heads.
“Our new structure puts added lift under our wings as we position Jackson Lewis to better serve our clients in the new year and beyond,” Kevin said. “I am honored by the confidence the board and our partnership have shown in adopting the new structure, supporting our newly elevated national heads, and in re-electing us to continue serving the best employment law firm in America.”
Jackson Lewis’ new structure aligns the firm’s 18 practice groups into three categories: Litigation, Specialty and Compliance and Preventive Strategies. In line with this new structure, Jackson Lewis has appointed new national group heads to oversee key areas of its legal services:
Stephanie L. Adler-Paindiris, newly appointed National Practice Head, Litigation, will oversee the following practice groups:
• Class Actions and Complex Litigation – Mia Farber and Eric R. Magnus
• Employment Litigation – Carolyn G. Burnette* and Ana C. Shields*
• ERISA Complex Litigation – Howard Shapiro and René E. Thorne
• Trials and Appeals – Donald E. English Jr. and Greg Riolo
Ryan P. Lessmann, newly appointed National Practice Head, Specialty, will oversee the following practice groups focused on specific workplace law issues:
• Affirmative Action OFCCP and Government Contract Compliance – Matthew J. Camardella and Joy Chin
• Employee Benefits – Melissa Ostrower and Kellie M. Thomas*
• Immigration – Otieno B. Ombok and Amy L. Peck
• Labor Relations – Laura A. Pierson-Scheinberg* and Richard F. Vitarelli
• Workplace Safety and Health – Joshua M. Henderson
Stephanie E. Satterfield, newly appointed National Practice Head, Compliance and Preventive Strategies, will oversee the following practice groups:
• National Compliance and Multi-State Solutions – Richard I. Greenberg and Scott Ruygrok*
• Corporate Diversity Counseling – Samia M. Kirmani and Michael D. Thomas
• Corporate Governance and Investigations – Richard J. Cino and David R. Jimenez
• Disability, Leave and Health Management – Joseph J. Lynett and Katharine C. Weber
• International Employment – Minnie Fu and John L. Sander
• Privacy, Data and Cybersecurity – Joseph J. Lazzarotti and Damon W. Silver*
• Restrictive Covenants, Trade Secrets and Unfair Competition – Clifford R. Atlas and Erik J. Winton
• Wage and Hour – Justin R. Barnes and Jeffrey W. Brecher
• Workplace Training – Edward M. Cherof and Dina M. Mastellone*
*Connotes a newly elevated practice group leader
Additionally, two veteran Jackson Lewis attorneys will oversee changing industry needs, rapidly evolving areas of employment law and the firm’s continued development:
John J. Porta has been appointed National Industry Head. He will oversee the firm’s industry groups, aligning them with clients’ increasing focus on sector-specific needs. John will lead efforts to address legal challenges across key sectors, foster cross-practice collaboration, and drive business development to support growth and strengthen client relationships. Under John’s leadership, the firm is already adding new industry groups to its roster, including:
• Energy and Utilities – Talley R. Parker* and Jonathan J. Spitz*
• Entertainment and Media – Christopher M. Repole* and Peter J. Woo*
• Transportation and Logistics – Sean C. Herring* and Mina M. Wood*
*Connotes a newly elevated industry group leader
As part of this strategic alignment, the firm is also announcing industry group leadership changes across a range of sectors to reflect the firm’s commitment to addressing evolving client needs and fostering industry-specific experience:
• Construction and Real Estate* – Eris S. Clark and John A. Snyder
• Education and Collegiate Sports* – Susan D. Friedfel and Monica H. Khetarpal
• Financial Services and Private Equity* – Peter C. Moskowitz and Tyler White
• Healthcare* – Stephanie J. Peet and Sarah R. Skubas
• Hotels and Leisure* – Michael A. Griffin and Tasos C. Paindiris
• Life Sciences – Brett M. Anders and Margret J. Strange
• Manufacturing* – Emily S. Borna and Patrick O. Peters
• Restaurants – Felice B. Ekelman and Amanda A. Simpson
• Retail* – Tania J. Mistretta and Laura A. Pierson-Scheinberg
• Technology – Eric J. Felsberg and Scott P. Jang
*Connotes an industry group leadership change
Patricia Anderson Pryor has been appointed National Head, Emerging and Cross-Disciplinary Issues. She will lead the firm’s response and strategy on emerging and cross-disciplinary issues that do not always align with a single practice group. Examples in recent years include: AI, vaccine mandates and religious accommodations. Having Patty in this new role will help clients navigate the complex and ever-changing workplace challenges that result as agencies and courts change priorities.
“Stephanie, Ryan, Stephanie, John and Patty are true leaders. Having them at the helm will help Jackson Lewis lawyers with common goals and needs confer more frequently, have more thoughtful discussions, and better advance their clients’ causes,” Kevin continued. “With this new structure, we are laser focused on making a great firm even better for 2025 and beyond, and delivering an unmatched source of experience and strategic counsel for our clients.”
About Jackson Lewis
Focused on labor and employment law since 1958, Jackson Lewis P.C.’s 1,100+ 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
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