Ferber Served as Office Managing Shareholder of the Firm’s Columbus Office and Co-Chair of the Traditional Labor Practice Group

COLUMBUS, OHIO (August 1, 2011) – James M.L. Ferber, managing shareholder of Littler Mendelson’s (“Littler”) Columbus office since 2000 and co-chair of the firm’s Traditional Labor Practice Group, passed away on Sunday, July 31.  A long-time resident of Bexley, Ohio and distinguished attorney, Ferber was regularly listed in The Best Lawyers of America, The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers, and Ohio Super  Lawyers.  He was also a Fellow of the prominent College of Labor & Employment Lawyers.

At Littler, Ferber represented national and local employers in various industries ranging from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies.  He was involved in more than 100 union organizing campaigns, multiple labor arbitration cases and collective bargaining negotiations and defended almost 300 employment lawsuits in more than 50 federal and state courts.  A recognized authority in his field, Ferber taught labor and employment law in Japan as an adjunct profession of Capital University School of Law and formerly served as the Special Labor Counsel to the Mayor of Columbus.  Prior to entering private practice, Ferber was a trial attorney with the National Labor Relations Board.  He attended Temple University School of Law and earned his undergraduate degree at Pennsylvania State University.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our great friend and colleague,” said Marko Mrkonich, president and managing director of the firm.  “During his time at Littler, Jim was a positive force and made such a difference to our firm.  His enthusiasm, charisma, and passion for life were felt and admired by everyone around him. We will never forget his contributions and Jim’s legacy will live on through the team he created  in the Columbus office and his impact on the entire firm and the community at large.”

Ferber is survived by his wife Gail of 41 years and their three children.  In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital or Zusman Community Hospital in his memory.

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.