Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak
& Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the nation's largest labor
and employment law firms, welcomes Diane Saunders and Michael Clarkson as
shareholders to the firm's Boston office. Both Diane
and Michael are alums from Morgan, Brown & Joy, LLP. The
Ogletree Deakins Boston office opened in January 2009. Saunders and Clarkson
bring the total number of lawyers in the Boston office to 12.
"Diane and Michael continue the growth of our office. They are well-regarded
in the community and their excellence as lawyers augments our office. Employers
throughout the region will be well-protected by these very able lawyers," said
Josh Davis, managing shareholder of Ogletree Deakins' Boston office.
In her practice, Diane advises employers on all aspects of employment
law, including hiring, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination,
accommodation, leave issues, privacy issues, wage and hour issues, and
compliance with federal and state statues and regulations affecting the
employment relationship. Diane also handles both single plaintiff and class
action employment disputes before federal and state courts, arbitrators, and
administrative agencies. In addition to her litigation experience, Diane
dedicates a significant portion of her practice to advising and counseling her
clients on a wide variety of employment issues.
She is an active member of the Labor and Employment Law sections of the
American Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association and the Boston Bar
Association. She is also a member of the Defense Research Institute and the
American Health Lawyers Association. Because of her experience, Diane is a
frequently requested speaker on employment issues for human resources
professionals and management.
Diane earned her J.D., cum laude, from the American University Washington
College of Law in 1992, and a B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of
Vermont.
Michael focuses his practice on litigation and advice and counsel. His
experience includes the defense of complex and sensitive litigation as well as
cases stemming from issues such as employment discrimination, harassment,
retaliation, non-compete, wage and hour, employment contract, and personnel
policy issues. In addition to his legal practice, Michael is a frequent lecturer
and presenter at seminars on employment law and human resources issues.
Michael is very active in his community, both professionally and civically.
He serves as the Vice Chair of the Employment Law and Litigation Committee of
the American Bar Association's Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section and is
a member of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce Human Resource Group Advisory
Board. Michael is also an Executive Committee member of the Board of Directors
of Operation A.B.L.E. of Greater Boston, Inc., a non-profit organization
dedicated to providing employment and training opportunities to a diverse
population of mature workers and providing assistance to employers on aging
workforce issues.
Recognized by his peers for exemplary legal work, Michael has been named a
"Super Lawyer" in the New England Super Lawyers edition of Boston Magazine for
the past three years, where only five percent of the lawyers in Massachusetts
are selected for inclusion.
Michael earned his J.D. from the University of California Hastings College of
Law in 1992, and a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell
University. Michael is currently a member of the ILR School's Alumni Board of
Directors.