While we are not often ones to brag, we are rather proud of the accolades bestowed upon Seyfarth Shaw by Chambers USA in its recent 2012 rankings. Chambers USA selected Seyfarth Shaw for the Award For Excellence 2012 and recognized 50 attorneys in various Seyfarth practice groups across the United States, including Construction, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, Environment, Environment: Litigation, Immigration, ERISA Litigation, Labor & Employment, Labor & Employment: Employee Benefits & Compensation, Leisure & Hospitality, Litigation: E-Discovery, Litigation: General Commercial, Real Estate, and Retail.

Chambers determined the rank of law firms and attorneys through research conducted in thousands of interviews with clients and attorneys. Law firms and attorneys are ranked by bands 1-6, with 1 being the most prestigious.

Seyfarth Shaw’s nationwide Labor & Employment practice received celebrated appreciation for impeccable client service. Our client service is best illustrated by the affirmation of our clients – comments like “They are warm and make you feel you are all in it together; they also understand our need for urgency. The customer service is outstanding and I’d recommend them to anybody.” 

Chambers ranked 30 attorneys in Seyfarth Shaw’s Labor & Employment practices, including 17 of our class action practitioners – including Workplace Class Action Blog authors Gerald L. Maatman, Jr., Lorie Almon, and Mark Casciari, and complex discrimination litigation attorneys Richard Alfred, Brian Ashe, Brett Bartlett, Jeff Berman, Ariel Cudkowicz, Gil Diekmann, David Kadue, Ward Kallstrom, Joel Kaplan, Barry Miller, Camille Olson, Tom Piskorski, Jeff Ross, and Diana Tabacopoulos. 

Chambers noted that Seyfarth Shaw’s Labor & Employment practice in Illinois – ranked band 1 – is highly regarded among clients, in that “Seyfarth Shaw operates at the highest level of the profession” and “You give it to them and you can just let it go because there’s such confidence in the lawyers.” In addition, Chambers recognized key individuals who were identified by clients as providing outstanding client service. Specifically, in Illinois Gerald L. Maatman, Jr. was recognized as “one of the more highly regarded class action lawyers around,” and “an absolute go-to in the field;” Joel Kaplan was said to offer clients “particular dexterity in NLRB litigation;” clients regarded Camille Olson as “a fabulous lawyer” who has “superb relations with senior company executives” and is known for her “handling of significant labor and employment litigation;” clients perceive Thomas Piskorski as “a smashing success and extraordinary employment litigator;” and Jeffrey Ross was highly regarded for his “activity in complex workforce litigation.”

Also, ranked band 1 – Seyfarth’s Labor & Employment practice in Massachusetts – was noted by Chambers as an experienced complex discrimination litigation team. Clients confirm that Seyfarth is “A premier firm with in-depth knowledge across the entire spectrum of employment law.” Specifically of note in Seyfarth’s Massachusetts practice, Chambers recognized key individuals displaying exemplary client service – clients view Richard Alfred as a “tough-minded and strong writer” who “clearly lays out strategy, so that it is easily understandable for clients;” one client stated about Ariel Cudkowicz, “I’m confident that things are being handled effectively when he is on the case;” and Chambers recognized Barry Miller as a “rising star” in the Massachusetts practice who “has developed an impressive body of experience.”

Seyfarth Shaw’s Labor & Employment practice in California is recognized by clients as “Very smart lawyers who recognize our business needs.” Chambers recognized key individuals in Seyfarth Shaw’s Labor & Employment practice in California, complex discrimination litigation attorney Jeffrey Berman was identified as “impressive, thoughtful and strategic;” Gilmore Diekmann’s experience in class action and discrimination issues was “seen as exemplary;” David Kadue was recognized for his recent successful defense “of two potentially devastating class actions;” Chambers recognized Brian Ashe, as he “litigates on a full range of employment matters;” and Diana Tabacopoulos was viewed by clients as “smart, strategic, responsive, efficient and business-savvy.” 

Seyfarth Shaw’s Labor & Employment practice located in Georgia is also highly regarded by clients, in that “The quality of these lawyers is top-notch – the firm’s national footprint also really helps, as the Atlanta team has colleagues in other states who can weigh in on different circuit decisions.” Ranked as a key individual, complex discrimination litigation attorney Brett Bartlett was individually recognized as a “rising star,” clients attest that “When facing the nitty-gritty of those cases, he’s the one you want.”

Lastly, clients regard Seyfarth’s Labor & Employment practice located in the District of Columbia as increasingly satisfying, with comments like “We’ve been using them for more and more work and we’re just delighted; they are gems.”

Hence, we may approve of some bragging in this instance. After all, we are proud to recognize these practice groups and individual attorneys for delivering outstanding client service and results for Seyfarth Shaw and our clients.