Labor & Employment: Arizona

THE FIRM This nationwide labor and employment specialist has offices in Phoenix and Tucson, and acts for an impressive range of high-profile clients, including Boeing and Deere & Company. The Arizona team offers a full service, including general counseling, preventive advice and policy design, and clients appreciate that it provides tailored advice through regular updates and training seminars. It recently acted for a major airline on the successful dismissal of a high-value disability discrimination suit, and advised a multinational financial services company on securing injunctive relief against former employees.

Sources say: "An approachable, easygoing, no-nonsense firm that's worth every dime because I know I'm going to get the best." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Joseph Clees earns praise from peers and clients alike, as "an incredible problem solver."  Clients appreciate that "he keeps us in the loop and is aggressive when we need him to be, but gives us good advice as to whether to fight or settle." Clees specializes in representing employers in discrimination and wrongful discharge cases, and also advises on labor relations and compliance laws.

Tibor Nagy manages the Tucson office and is hailed as a practical, strategic thinker and problem solver whose judgment can be trusted implicitly. He advises employers in all areas of labor and employment law, and is particularly experienced in litigating matters covered by Arizona's Employment Protection Act.  

Eric Dowell manages the Phoenix office and acts for both private and public sector employers on all aspects of labor and employment law. He is especially noted for his expertise in ADA litigation.

Mark Kisicki recently arrived from Steptoe & Johnson, bringing more than 20 years' experience in traditional labor law issues and expertise in handling union avoidance efforts across the USA and before the NLRB. Clients highlight his solid cost-effectiveness combined with his "high level of quality and efficiency."

THE FIRM This firm's labor and employment group is raising its profile in Arizona and earning significant praise from clients for its high-quality advice and responsiveness. The team acts for a range of managers on all employment-related matters, and has a particularly high reputation for its expertise in immigration and ERISA issues. It is increasingly active on pure labor law matters and on those involving the OFCCP, and is also noted for its employment audit programs, which are designed to improve personnel policies and thereby reduce the likelihood of disputes. Key clients include ASARCO, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold and Southwest Airlines.

Sources say: "I give them extremely high marks for client service, commerciality and an ability to grasp the bigger picture and give solid recommendations on overall strategy."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ronald Stolkin has been in legal practice for more than 40 years, and is highly respected and widely recommended. He is particularly experienced in representing clients before the Arizona Civil Rights Division (ACRD) and the federal EEOC and DOL. 

Donald Gilbert has been involved in more than 100 labor arbitrations and as a litigator in numerous employment disputes. He is frequently engaged in injunctive relief matters, and in those requiring e-discovery expertise. One client "couldn't think of a more professional lawyer" than Gilbert, adding: "He knows our business extremely well and is seen as part of the team."

Erwin Kratz is a "very responsive and technically astute" attorney, noted for his in-depth knowledge of ERISA and employee benefits law. He is lead benefits counsel for ASARCO, and also acts for an Arizona-wide health insurer and a major retirement community developer, among other clients.

THE FIRM This Arizona team handles all traditional labor law, employment, restrictive covenant and ERISA matters. It benefits from the firm's national presence, and has been active of late in more than a dozen states besides Arizona. The group is particularly noted for its excellent working relationship with the EEOC and for its experience in EEOC investigations, recently representing two prominent restaurant chains in such matters. Sources also highlight the instructive workplace training sessions that the firm provides. Standout matters from the past year include securing a complete dismissal of charges brought under the ADA against a leading international hotel chain.

Sources say: "An exceptional, Rolls-Royce service: I would use them every day if I could."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mary Bruno is a key contact.

THE FIRM Jackson Lewis's team in Phoenix is able to handle the full range of employment and labor law matters, combining a close understanding of the local business environment with the resources of the firm's nationwide workplace law practice. It is well versed in discrimination, harassment and wage and hour matters, and has a strong track record in representing management before the NLRB or against systemic discrimination allegations made to the EEOC. Clients appreciate that the team provides regular updates and individually tailored advice on personnel issues. Recent clients have included Best Western International, ON Semiconductor and VETMED. 

Sources say: "Extremely knowledgeable, accessible, client-oriented, results-oriented and well respected within the legal community."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Cohen's comprehensive grasp of employment law is particularly well developed in matters of employment discrimination at the administrative, trial and appellate levels. His recent highlights include a case concerning sexual harassment and sex discrimination, and another regarding the statutory interpretation of whistle-blower protections.

Amy Gittler is managing partner of the Phoenix office, and has 35 years' experience in all aspects of state and federal labor and employment law. She is especially skilled in matters involving the ACRD, ADA, EEOC and ERISA. 

THE FIRM Quarles & Brady operates out of offices in Phoenix and Tucson, and handles the full range of employment matters. It is prominent in both traditional labor and more general employment matters, representing employers in a number of notable NLRB cases and handling significant discrimination and FLSA wage and salary matters. The firm also offers clients a one-stop shop for immigration-related issues, and is noted for its long-standing relationship in this area with leading geographic information systems provider NAVTEQ.

Sources say: "A very professional firm, dedicated to helping us solve our issues."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jon Pettibone earns high praise as an attorney who "is always available, answers questions quickly and efficiently, gives us great ideas, and clearly knows his stuff." He has been in practice for more than 35 years, and is particularly skilled in matters involving the NLRB and the OSHA.

THE FIRM The labor and employment attorneys in this firm's Phoenix office represent a wide range of public and private employers, including Bank of America, the cities of Glendale and Surprise, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold and Safeway. The group offers the full service on employment relations counseling and arbitration, and regularly acts for employers in collective bargaining negotiations. It focuses on preempting disputes but, where necessary, is fully able to handle litigation, with experience in handling matters at both trial and appellate levels as well as those considered by state and federal regulatory authorities.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Moberly is renowned for his keen intelligence and for his ability to "respond in a thoughtful manner" in even the most highly charged situations. He regularly represents employers in civil rights and employment-related litigation, and in the arbitration of disputes arising out of collective bargaining agreements.  

Noted labor relations strategist Nathan Niemuth has been in practice for more than 35 years, advising employers in the manufacturing, mining and utilities industries, among others. He has regularly appeared before federal and state courts and agencies, and is especially adept in handling NLRA-related matters.

THE FIRM This labor and employment team is able to call on the firm's strong network of offices across the western USA and in Mexico, making it well placed to act on multistate and immigration matters for both local and out-of-state clients. It is noted for its litigation experience, especially involving FLSA provisions, and also stands out for its expertise in litigation-avoiding strategies, such as arbitration and mediation. Clients include AAA Arizona, Sprouts Farmers Markets and the University of Phoenix. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS John Lomax is widely recommended in this practice area, and is hailed as an "excellent lawyer" by interviewees. He is skilled in defending labor and employment matters, and has recently been successful as lead counsel in three cases involving wage and hour and discrimination issues, saving his clients more than $2.5 million.  

Peers recognize Gerard Morales as a "very prominent" attorney who "really knows what he's doing." A traditional labor law specialist, he advises employers on union and collective bargaining issues and is particularly expert in handling matters involving the NLRB, the construction industry or Spanish-speaking workers. 

THE FIRM Steptoe & Johnson's labor and employment team in Arizona is frequently called on to handle matters of national scope. It is highlighted for its ability to forge long-term relationships with clients, and to manage cases from inception to conclusion – to the Supreme Court level if necessary. The team is proficient in all aspects of labor and employment law, with particular expertise in ERISA matters. Recent clients include the National Basketball Players' Association, Banner Health, Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salons and General Dynamics.

Sources say: "The firm is strong in labor and employment law, understands our business model, and has maintained a strong win record for us."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Lawrence Katz leads the firm's labor relations and employment law practice, and earns enthusiastic praise from peers and clients alike. One interviewee labeled him "the best of the best," while others highlighted his broad experience, his "solution-oriented and proactive approach," and his "ability to recall information off the top of his head with amazing accuracy."  

Stephanie Quincy focuses on employment litigation matters and has been successful of late in matters involving the EEOC. She is also highly experienced in handling class action lawsuits involving allegations of age or sex discrimination, or racial or sexual harassment.

Sources praise Steven Wheeless for being "easy to work with, very customer service-oriented, responsive and professional." He specializes in traditional labor law matters, and is a veteran of more than 600 unfair labor practice cases heard by the NLRB or federal courts.  

THE FIRM This firm combines well-developed expertise with comprehensive knowledge of the Arizona business scene, enabling the five-attorney team to handle more significant matters than its size might suggest. Recent highlights include acting for one of the state's largest employers on several discrimination and retaliations claims and ERISA-related cases, advising a national healthcare company on the layoff of employees in several states, and advising a number of Arizona law firms on their employment-related concerns.

Sources say: "One of the most respected law firms in the city, with some of the smartest lawyers. I can't say enough good things about them."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Well respected by peers, Kent Brockelman is characterized as a "brilliant lawyer" with "no weaknesses," and highlighted for his responsiveness. He is a seasoned litigator of complex matters in both state and federal courts, and regularly advises businesses on the full range of employment law matters.

Peers recommend Kimberly Fatica as an "excellent lawyer." She is an experienced litigator and adviser, with considerable expertise in matters involving post-employment restrictive covenants.

THE FIRM The Arizona branch of this national employment law specialist enters the rankings this year, having earned praise for its professionalism, client service and training seminars. The team in Phoenix has wide-ranging expertise, and recently assisted a national client in defeating an attempt to unionize its Tucson facility. Other highlights include securing a summary judgment win for an Arizona municipality facing a $110 million employment class action, and obtaining the complete dismissal of an NLRB administrative complaint against Fry's Food Stores.

Sources say: "An excellent firm, which I highly recommend." "A strong firm with good connections."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Shawn Oller is praised by clients as being "very knowledgeable and responsive," and for providing "effective advice on managing risk and reaching our goals." "Shawn did some of the best depositions I have ever witnessed on a difficult case," added one interviewee. Oller is well versed in handling matters involving the NLRB and EEOC, and also regularly represents clients in state and federal courts in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.