Best Lawyers in America for Labor and Employment Law - Management

Karl Lindegren is a partner in the Irvine and Los Angeles offices. He represents employers in all areas of labor and employment law. He provides clients with preventive advice and counseling on issues ranging from union avoidance to compliance with state and federal laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), defending and preventing wrongful discharge and discrimination claims and protection of trade secrets. His litigation practice in...

Kraig Long is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Kraig, who practices law in Baltimore, Maryland, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kraig is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ms. Freed is the Managing Shareholder of the Phoenix office. Ms. Freed has exclusively practiced management-side labor and employment law throughout her career. Ms. Freed is a skilled and experienced litigator who regularly defends employers against claims of race, gender, disability, and age discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, FMLA claims, and wage and hour violations before federal and state courts and various administrative agencies. In addition to her lit...

Michael D. Chittick is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Labor Law - Management. Michael D., who practices law in Providence, Rhode Island, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Frank S. Stern is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Frank S., who practices law in Greenville, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Frank S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chuck Mataya has developed a focused practice of litigation and counseling in various areas of labor and employment law, including the defense of class, collective individual actions in both state and federal courts. Chuck acts as a lead counsel for prominent employers throughout the United States in the counsel and defense of employment and labor claims, including claims of wrongful discharge, breach of an employment contract, illegal discrimination under the various federal and state laws, ...

Daniel L. Thieme is experienced in all areas of employment relations law. He has particular expertise in the areas of wage and hour law, executive and employee compensation, business sales and restructuring, employee intellectual property issues, employment agreements and policies, and discrimination law. With respect to wage and hour and compensation law, Dan’s experience includes: Wage and hour class action defense Overtime and minimum wage compliance Executive compensation, including...

Jana S. Baker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Jana S., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jana S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sheila Willis is committed to finding practical, real world solutions to her clients’ employment law needs. She represents companies—large and small—as they navigate employment issues related to hiring, discipline, investigations, employment discrimination, unemployment, and other related issues. Sheila provides guidance to higher education institutions on Title IX Compliance and investigations She has extensive experience providing compliance advice to federal contractors o...

David Whitaker is a member of Kean Miller ’s labor and employment law group in New Orleans, Louisiana. His practice focuses on representing employers and management in a wide range of labor and employment matters, including the defense of employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims. He regularly advises employers on compliance with state and federal employment laws, drafts employment contracts, non-compete and confidentiality agreements, and assists with the developmen...

Mary Dohner Smith is a partner in the Nashville office with experience involving every aspect of the employment relationship. She has been involved in complex litigation involving all aspects of Title VII, the ADEA, the ADA, the FLSA, USERRA, retaliatory discharge, and state law claims for breach of contract, fraud, negligence, and negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Before joining Constangy, Mary worked in Human Resources in both unionized and non-unionized facilities...

Meredith (“Merry”) Campbell serves as a business advisor to local, national and global clients who look to her for counsel on managing their most important asset — their employees. Clients hire her because she successfully resolves workplace-related issues while helping them to maintain a positive and productive workplace. She often serves as outside General Counsel to her clients, advising on personnel matters and ensuring that her clients are up-to-date on compliance, trai...

Michael Jakowsky is a principal in the New York City, New York, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He partners with clients on all aspects of their workplace strategy, from proactive advice, counsel and training to litigation defense and transactional support. Michael wants his clients to know they can rely on him for support—no matter the concern. Aspiring to become an extension of his client’s team, Michael prioritizes gaining a thorough understanding of their business to find solutio...

Alan S. Levins is one of Littler Mendelson’s most experienced trial attorneys, having tried discrimination, wrongful termination and class action wage-hour cases. He began his practice focused on traditional labor law and has continued his practice in that area as well. He also counsels and defends clients in: Complex litigation and jury trials Sexual harassment and discrimination litigation and counseling Class actions Whistleblower litigation and counseling Discipline and termination ...

Marla N. Presley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Marla N., who practices law in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Marla N. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jessi Thaller-Moran focuses her practice on employment law and litigation, which includes counseling employers on legal compliance and helping them proactively identify, prepare for and respond to issues involving personnel management. Jessi guides employers on appropriate responses to a rapidly-changing workplace. Over the last few years, this has included counseling through the rapid transitions required by the COVID-19 pandemic and responding to increasingly localized laws on everything fr...