San Francisco, CA and Atlanta, GA (February 8, 2005) - Littler Mendelson, the nation's largest employment and labor law firm, announced today it is expanding its presence in the Atlanta market by adding three of the city's top employment and labor attorneys.
This expansion, coupled with the recent opening last year of offices in Charlotte and Miami, gives the firm a strong base from which to serve clients with Southeastern headquarters and/or significant operations.
Joining the firm as shareholders are Gavin S. Appleby and Jacqueline E. Kalk, previously at Atlanta-based Powell Goldstein, where they practiced in the firm's national labor and employment law practice group. Appleby and Kalk were partners. Littler will also add an associate from Powell Goldstein: Rupert Bradley Adams.
For the last several years, building a national practice has been a priority for Appleby. "While it is always difficult to leave a place that you like and have enjoyed great success, my practice has become increasingly national in scope and requires a platform that, in my opinion, only Littler can provide," he said. "I look forward to utilizing the opportunities that Littler's national footprint and comprehensive practice provide for me and my clients."
"A sole practice employment firm like Littler offers a valuable dimension that general corporate firms have difficulty providing," Kalk said. "The benefit to a client of working with a firm that has a true nationwide presence and the expertise of over 400 employment lawyers simply cannot be overstated."
Based in San Francisco, Littler Mendelson has monitored closely the rapid growth of regional businesses and consolidation that have made the South a focal point for the nation's economy. The Atlanta expansion is the latest in a series of strategic moves aimed at giving national employers the same coverage and service in the Southeast that the rest of Littler's national clients have long enjoyed.
"As the size and influence of Southern businesses has increased, so has their need for the services of top-level professional services firms," said Atlanta Office Managing Shareholder Cameron S. Pierce. "Given our strength and depth, including the important additions of Gavin, Jackie, and Brad, we think choosing Littler as employment and labor counsel may be one of the easiest decisions most of these businesses will ever have to make."
About the new attorneys
Appleby has been practicing law since 1979, and headed Powell Goldstein's labor and employment law practice. A veteran litigator and nationally recognized speaker, as well as an expert on Title IX and sports anti-doping issues, he has represented corporate management in hundreds of litigation, investigation and union-related matters stretching from Miami to Los Angeles. Appleby is a published author and has created and implemented innovative nationwide employment and diversity law training across the country. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law.
Kalk represents management in labor and employment matters nationwide. She is a successful litigator and is known for her experience with individual and class action claims in all areas of discrimination, sexual harassment, FMLA, retaliation, equal pay, employment-related torts and privacy claims, as well as non-competition agreements, trade secrets and employment contracts. Kalk is a frequent lecturer and regularly provides training for employers on labor and employment law issues and avoiding litigation. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Syracuse University College of Law.
Adams practices exclusively in the area of labor and employment Law. He is a successful litigator and has extensive experience in drafting employment and severance agreements, counseling on union avoidance and employment audits. He graduated with his J.D., with honors, from the University of Florida.
Littler Mendelson, with more than 400 attorneys in 28 offices nationwide, is the largest law firm in the United States practicing exclusively in employment, employee benefit and labor law, representing management. The firm's client base ranges from Fortune 500 companies to small-business owners. Established in 1942, the firm has litigated, mediated and negotiated some of the most influential cases and labor contracts in the nation's history. Its affiliated global migration practice, Littler Global, provides support to major companies in moving employees around the world. For more information, visit www.littler.com.
