COLUMBUS, OHIO (August 29, 2011) – Littler Mendelson, P.C. (Littler), the nation’s largest employment and labor law firm representing management, named Michael Short as the new office managing shareholder (OMS) in the firm’s Columbus, Ohio office. Short succeeds long-time OMS James M.L. Ferber, who recently passed away. In this capacity, Short will build upon the platform created by Ferber and continue to expand the firm’s presence in the region.

"We are pleased to have Mike take the helm of our Columbus office and are confident that he will carry on the legacy and leadership of Jim Ferber," said Marko Mrkonich, president and managing director of the firm. "Working with Jim throughout his career, Mike is the perfect candidate to step into this role and continue the efforts of building Littler’s premier labor and employment practice in central Ohio."

Short has been with Littler for more than five years and represents management clients in a wide range of workers’ compensation and labor and employment matters. He actively represents self-insured and state-fund employers before the Industrial Commission of Ohio, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and all levels of Ohio courts. Short also has extensive experience representing private and public sector clients in collective bargaining negotiations, arbitrations, and labor disputes. He regularly counsels employers on OSHA issues, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII, and general employment issues.

"I am honored to be following in the footsteps of Jim Ferber, a great attorney and mentor," added Short. "Jim taught me a lot over the years and I look forward to applying much of his wisdom and guidance as I take the reins of the Columbus office."

Short is a frequent speaker on labor and employment issues and regularly presents before local legal and business organizations. Active in the community, Short is a member of the Human Resources Association of Central Ohio; Central Ohio Self-Insured Association; Ohio Public Employer Labor Relations Association; American Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association – Labor and Employment Sections and the Columbus Bar Association. He received his J.D. from Ohio State University College of Law and his B.S. from Miami University.

About Littler Mendelson

With over 800 attorneys and 52 offices, Littler Mendelson is the largest U.S.-based law firm exclusively devoted to representing management in employment and labor law matters. As the only U.S. member of the Ius Laboris global alliance, Littler has extensive resources to address the needs of multi-national clients, from navigating international employment laws and labor relations issues to applying corporate policies worldwide. Established in 1942, the firm has litigated, mediated and negotiated some of the most influential employment law cases and labor contracts on record.