NEW YORK, NY (July 26, 2010) – Littler Mendelson, P.C. (Littler), the nation's largest employment and labor law firm representing management, today announced that Philip M. Berkowitz, one of the leading authorities on international employment law, has joined the firm. Berkowitz, a former partner at Nixon Peabody, will be a shareholder in Littler's New York office and will serve as U.S. Practice Leader for the firm's International Employment and Labor Law practice group.

Berkowitz, who previously headed Nixon Peabody's international labor and employment specialty team, is widely respected for his work in labor and employment law. He works for many global companies, conducts worldwide training for multinational companies on labor and employment matters, and is a frequent speaker before the American Bar Association, the International Bar Association, the Japan Society and many other organizations. He also serves as vice-chair of the ABA's Employment Law Committee (International Law Section).

"I am thrilled to have someone of Phil's caliber join our firm," said Marko Mrkonich, president and managing director of Littler. "He is a strong addition to our international employment team, and brings the strengths of one of the premier lawyers in the field to our practice." The addition of Berkowitz, he said, underscores the firm's commitment to providing its clients with the best possible services in addressing their international employment law needs, a growing imperative with every passing year.

Peter Susser, chair of Littler's International Employment and Labor Law practice group, said that Berkowitz will bring added knowledge and expertise to an already formidable team. "Phil has strong relationships with a vast number of labor and employment lawyers around the world, including many of our Ius Laboris counterparts in 45 countries. He will be an invaluable resource both for his colleagues as well as our clients," he said.

Craig Benson, office managing shareholder of Littler's New York office observed that "apart from the strength of his international practice and his recognition in that field, Phil is one of the most prominent labor and employment lawyers in New York, and has longstanding personal friendships with a number of the lawyers in our office. It is a terrific development for Littler's practice in the Tri-State area, and on the East Coast, that he is coming on-board."

Berkowitz, who will also continue his U.S. based employment practice representing corporate clients in labor and employment matters, handles individual and classwide employment-related litigations in federal and state courts and administrative agencies across the United States, as well as arbitrations before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the American Arbitration Association and the International Chamber of Commerce. Berkowitz serves as an advisor to numerous multinational and domestic companies in claims on a broad range of issues, including discrimination and harassment, wrongful dismissal and Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblowing and retaliation.

Berkowitz was past chair of the New York State Bar Association's International Law and Practice Section. He has been recognized as one of the top lawyers in his field by several national legal organizations, including Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business for labor & employment work; Best Lawyers in America©; and Who's Who Legal.

Berkowitz received his J.D. from Northwestern School of Law, and also attended Cornell Law School. He is admitted to practice in New York.

About Littler Mendelson

With more than 750 attorneys and 49 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. For more information, visit littler.com.