CLEVELAND, OH (December 1, 2006) -- Jackson Lewis LLP, a national workplace law firm, has announced four attorneys from McDonald Hopkins have joined the firm's Cleveland office. With these additions, Jackson Lewis can better assist Cleveland and Northeastern Ohio businesses manage the constantly changing labor and workplace laws.
Joining the Cleveland office are Partners James M. Stone, who is the Cleveland Resident Manager, and Jeffrey B. Keiper. Also joining the firm are David E. Weisblatt, Of Counsel, and Associate Nicole M. Monachino. Senior Benefits Counsel Kurt Smidansky has been resident in the Cleveland office since its opening in 2005.
"We are excited about the opportunity to expand our special style of practice in the Cleveland metro area and throughout the Akron, Canton and Youngstown areas," said Patrick L. Vaccaro, the firm's Managing Partner. "Jackson Lewis has counseled businesses in Cleveland and Northeastern Ohio for many years. But we are especially pleased to have local attorneys of this caliber join us. We expect great things from our Cleveland regional team."
" Cleveland companies are no longer insular and self-contained the way they once were. Increasingly entrepreneurial, they are part of the larger economy of the nation and the world," said Stone. "Businesses in northern and northeastern Ohio, especially in the areas of manufacturing, transportation and health care, face high union presence or the threat of unionization," said Stone. "Resolving union and employee issues favorably in ways that allow companies to prosper is a challenge best addressed by a legal team that is both local to the client and national by network. Companies in Cleveland, Youngstown, Akron, Canton and environs, have us on the ground and within short drive times. They also have 400 additional workplace law experts in 27 cities, many of them acknowledged and published labor law leaders and highly visible industry speakers."
Lynn Outwater, Regional Managing Partner for the Jackson Lewis offices in both Cleveland and Pittsburgh, adds "almost no area of law changes as quickly as labor and employment law. A change in administration, the new Ohio minimum wage initiative and recent changes in the Fair Labor Standards Act for overtime pay, will place tremendous pressure on employers. Jackson Lewis' consistent focus on preventive workplace strategies provides a compelling value proposition for businesses of all sizes and in all industries."
Mr. Stone and Mr. Keiper were partners together at their former firm, McDonald Hopkins Co., LPA, where Mr. Stone served for over 12 years as leader of the labor and employment practice group. With over 20 years of experience in labor and employment law, Mr. Stone has extensive experience in union negotiations, arbitrations, unfair labor practice charges, and wage and hour claims, and employment litigation. He is particularly knowledgeable about the manufacturing, transportation, automotive, steel and health care industries. Mr. Keiper, who has successfully defended complex employment litigation for large manufacturing and service companies, will serve as the principal litigation attorney for the Cleveland office, as well as counseling employers in labor relations and other employment matters. Several recent matters handled by Mr. Stone, Mr. Keiper and their colleagues have been reported by the national media.
Mr. Weisblatt and Ms. Monachino come to Jackson Lewis from the same former firm. Mr. Weisblatt has extensive experience in National Labor Relations Board law, employment counseling, labor negotiations and union-free workplace campaigns. He is experienced in public sector labor law, technology issues, and other employment matters. Ms. Monachino has experience counseling employers in wage and hour, employee leaves, employment discrimination, and affirmative action matters, in addition to employment policies and practices.
About Jackson Lewis
Founded in 1958, Jackson Lewis is dedicated to representing management exclusively in workplace law. The firm focuses solely on employment, labor, immigration and benefits law and related litigation. The firm has offices in 27 U.S. cities and employs 400 attorneys.
For further information or additional comments please contact Clare Grossman, Marketing Director, at (212) 545-4068 or e-mail her at grossmac@jacksonlewis.com. Additional information about Jackson Lewis LLP can be found at www.jacksonlewis.com.
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