Mintz Levin Expands Employment, Labor and Benefits Section in its New York Office
1/14/2009
Six Attorneys Led by Richard H. Block, Andrew J. Bernstein and David R. Lagasse Join Firm
New York, NY – A group of six leading employment, labor and benefits attorneys have joined the New York office of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., expanding the firm's New York presence and its national Employment, Labor and Benefits practice group. Richard H. Block, Andrew J. Bernstein and David R. Lagasse have joined the firm as Members. Joining the firm as Associates are Jessica W. Catlow, David M. Katz and Gregory R. Bennett.
"At a time when clients are facing an increasing array of complicated, economy-driven human resources challenges, Dick, Andrew and Dave provide additional depth and expertise to our national employment practice," said David Barmak, Chair of the firm's Employment, Labor and Benefits section and a Member in the firm's Washington, DC office.
"Their expertise working with high-level clients in the finance and private equity, real estate and retail industries is particularly well-suited to a number of clients in our New York office. We are excited to welcome them to the firm," added Robert Bodian, Managing Member of Mintz Levin's New York office and head of the Litigation practice in that office.
Messrs Block, Bernstein and Lagasse were most recently with Dreier LLP and, prior to that, they were with Pillsbury Winthrop LLP. Ms. Catlow, Mr. Katz and Mr. Bennett were also previously with Dreier LLP.
As a renowned expert in labor and employment law, Mr. Block has handled various labor and employment matters on behalf of a wide range of clients, including Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, insurance companies, entertainment companies and health care organizations. He has also represented management on employment issues related to downsizing and reductions in workforce, negotiating collective bargaining agreements and litigating federal, state and agency labor, employment and discrimination claims. He regularly ensures compliance with federal, state and local laws by reviewing personnel policies, practices, manuals and forms and preparing individual employment and termination agreements. He also conducts in-house seminars and training programs on sexual harassment sensitivity, management diversity, the ADA, the Family and Medical Leave Act, discrimination, violence in the workplace, AIDS in the workplace and alcohol and drug testing. Mr. Block has been recognized by New York Best Lawyers (2005-2008), Best Lawyers of America and New York Super Lawyers (2007, 2008). A graduate of Princeton University, he earned his law degree from Hofstra Law School.
Throughout his career, Mr. Bernstein has represented management in employment matters involving discrimination, trade secret and restrictive covenant claims as well as federal and state labor claims. He also regularly represents management teams and CEOs of both publicly and privately held companies in connection with leverage buyouts by private equity sponsors. He was also previously a partner in the Labor and Employment Law Practice at Pillsbury Winthrop LLP in New York, where he was also a member of the New York Office Management Committee and a former co-chair of their Trade Secret Practice. A graduate of the University of Michigan, he earned his law degree from Fordham University School of Law. He was recently named to the New York Super Lawyers (2007, 2008) peer-reviewed listing.
Mr. Lagasse has spent much of his career counseling clients on a range of human resource issues, including performance matters, discipline and employment terminations and employee benefit plan administration. He is also a skilled litigator and has experience handling discrimination, harassment and retaliation lawsuits and defending plan sponsors, administrators and fiduciaries against employee benefit claims in court and in arbitration. Additionally, he has been involved in several mergers, acquisitions and sales of assets and corporations in an effort to resolve human resource concerns. Mr. Lagasse was also a partner at Pillsbury Winthrop LLP in the firm's Labor and Employment, Employee Benefits and ERISA litigation practice. He is a faculty member for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy and has taught at both deposition and trial seminars. He is also a regular speaker on human resource matters. A graduate of Tufts University, he earned his law degree from Brooklyn Law School.
Ms. Catlow graduated from New York University and received her law degree from Rutgers University School of Law-Newark. Mr. Katz is a graduate of Emory University. He received his law degree from Rutgers University School of Law-Newark as well. Mr. Bennett is a graduate of the University of Hartford. He received his law degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law.
The attorneys in Mintz Levin's Employment, Labor and Benefits section represent a broad cross-section of the business community, encompassing a wide spectrum of industries including manufacturing, retail and consumer products, high-tech, energy and clean technology, life sciences, healthcare, education, hospitality, financial services, construction, immigration and professional services.
Mintz Levin is an AmLaw 100 law firm with offices in the US and the UK. The firm has exceptional depth in a broad range of practice areas, but our clients recognize that what sets us apart from other law firms is our industry focus. By truly understanding business drivers and industry trends, we are able to provide our clients with more than just legal advice; we provide legal solutions to our clients' business issues. Since 1933, our lawyers have represented entrepreneurs, emerging growth companies, Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, not-for-profit organizations and leaders in primary industries that include Life Sciences/Biotechnology; Technology & Communications; Energy & Clean Technology; Financial Services & Insurance; Healthcare; Real Estate, Hospitality & Construction; and Retail & Consumer Products. Our practical knowledge combined with our industry expertise enables us to provide our clients with enterprise legal advice that gives their business a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
