Best Lawyers in America for Litigation - Labor and Employment
State
Allegra Lawrence-Hardy is creative and results-oriented. She uses strategic analysis and innovative thinking to develop legal solutions that work for her clients. She has successfully defended Fortune 100 companies throughout the United States and abroad in numerous trials, arbitrations and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Allegra is known for her skill in trying cases and working through complex settlements with tenacity and patience. Allegra also develops processes, tools and ...
Patricia M. Prezioso is Chair of the Sills Cummis & Gross Employment and Labor Practice Group. She is an active litigator and counselor and takes great pride partnering with her clients to address employee issues. Her practice focuses on management-side employment litigation and counseling, including litigating disputes concerning trade secrets, restrictive covenant enforcement, discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, employee theft, and wage and hour issues. She counsels on reduc...
An experienced trial lawyer who defends employers of all sizes in a range of industries, including defense, food, and trucking companies, against unsubstantiated accusations, Rick’s litigation practice takes him to courts throughout the U.S. He litigates a wide range of employment matters, including discrimination and harassment; Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA); breach of contract; golden parachute agreements; wage and hour laws (exemptions, overtime, commissions, etc.); wrongful te...
Nicola Prall is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management, Immigration Law and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Nicola practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina Best Lawyers has recognized Nicola Prall since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Nicola Prall is held by other lawyers.
Anne Knox Averitt has extensive experience in labor and employment matters and commercial litigation. She works in the Birmingham office and represents clients of all sizes, from Fortune 500 companies to family-owned businesses in a number of industries, including retail, automotive, natural resources, manufacturing, healthcare, non-profit, communications, construction, and financial services. She also handles cases before arbitrators, administrative law judges, and federal and state court ju...
Suellen Oswald focuses her practice on labor law, employment litigation and staffing and contingent workers. Suellen has represented employers of all sizes, from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies, in: Numerous employment lawsuits in both federal and state courts Union organizing campaigns Collective bargaining negotiations Contract administration Labor arbitration cases Suellen also has extensive experience representing employers before various governmental agencies, including the Equ...
Melisa Panagakos is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Melisa practices law in Denver, Colorado Best Lawyers has recognized Melisa Panagakos since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Melisa Panagakos is held by other lawyers.
Helene J. Wasserman is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Helene J. practices law in Los Angeles, California Best Lawyers has recognized Helene J. Wasserman since 2006. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Helene J. Wasserman is held by other lawyers.
John Zaloom brings more than 20 years of experience to his employment and litigation clients. He advises clients on day-to-day employment issues and assists them when litigation is necessary. John also litigates complex and high stakes business disputes, intellectual property disputes, First Amendment litigation, and healthcare credentialing issues. John’s employment litigation experience includes disputes involving restrictive covenants, trade secrets, discrimination claims, Fair Labor...
Richard J. Buturla is a senior partner and chair of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. He focuses his practice in the areas of municipal law, litigation, civil rights defense, transactions involving state and federal agencies, and defending government officials in a variety of contexts. Mr. Buturla’s wide-ranging municipal and governmental law practice encompasses the full range of issues presented to a public institution. He has particular experience dealing with the freedom o...
Adam D. Hirtz is a principal and the office litigation manager in the St. Louis, Missouri, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He prides himself on being a responsive, strategic and creative advocate and counselor for the firm’s clients. Adam has more than 25 years of experience as a trial attorney representing businesses in employment litigation in both state and federal courts throughout the country. He also acts as a mediator, including regularly mediating cases for the Equal Employment Opp...
Greg Guidry is a Shareholder in the firm’s Lafayette, Louisiana office, a satellite location for the New Orleans office. He is licensed in Louisiana and Texas and has successfully represented management throughout the United States in all aspects of labor and employment law, including advice, training, prevention tactics and litigation for over 35 years. His practice includes traditional labor law (union issues), employment litigation, wrongful termination, wage and hour, and developing...
Melissa Pesce is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Melissa practices law in St. Louis, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized Melissa Pesce since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Melissa Pesce is held by other lawyers.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.
