Accolades
Seyfarth Shaw Recognized as National Leader in 2008 Chambers USA Rankings
Seyfarth Shaw LLP, is lauded in the 2008 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as among the best law firms in multiple practice areas nationally and in regional markets, and 26 of the firm’s attorneys were also individually ranked as leaders in their field.
The firm ranked #2 in the country in Labor and Employment and Retail, and its ERISA Litigation Practice Group earned a #3 ranking in the nation.
Seyfarth Shaw's Labor & Employment Practices Recognized by Chambers USA
With Chambers USA's recent launch of its 2008 guide, the firm has once again topped the tables in several crucial labor and employment practice areas and regional markets. Nationally, the firm maintained its #2 position in the Labor & Employment and Retail categories, and its national ERISA Litigation practice made its debut in the guide in the 3rd band. The firm's delivery of client service and results for clients allowed it to maintain strong rankings in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C., and for the first time was also recognized as a leader in Georgia and New York.
Seyfarth Shaw's Employee Benefits Practice - Illinois Recognized by Chambers USA
Seyfarth moved up to the top band for Employee Benefits & Compensation in Illinois this year, with Chambers interviewees speaking highly of the firm's "outstanding practice" in employee benefits and executive compensation. The "exceptional individuals" working in this area were described as "not only very knowledgeable, but also excel at working to time constraints."
Seyfarth Shaw's Retail Practice Recognized by Chambers USA
This large full-service firm brings together all the expertise needed to provide quality advice to retailers. The team handles everything from litigation and labor and employment work to real estate and general corporate concerns. The group has recently been handling an increased number of wage and hour cases, and is currently engaged in several high-profile class actions for national retailers. M&A work and dispositions are also high on the firm’s agenda. An eclectic mix of companies form the firm’s client list, including big-box retailers, food stores and fashion outlets. The firm enjoys a truly national platform for retail work, with nine offices across the USA. In Los Angeles, Kenwood Youmans regularly advises retailers on labor and employment law, while Atlanta-based Paul Mattingly handles their real estate requirements.
Seyfarth Shaw's ERISA Litigation Practices Recognized by Chambers USA
2008 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business ranked Seyfarth Shaw's ERISA Litigation Practice Group #3 in the nation.
Peers and clients lauded the firm’s “ability to push the envelope and present an argument in a manner that best supports its clients’ interest,” as “it leaves no stone unturned in pursuing clients’ goals.”
Seyfarth Shaw's Environment Practice - Illinois Recognized by Chambers USA
Seyfarth Shaw's Environment Practice Group - Illinois recognized by Chambers USA, with a #3 ranking.
The Environmental, Safety and Toxic Tort Practice Group was commended for having a “strong environmental transactions practice.” Chambers further noted that the team has a “highly active toxic tort practice” and also represents clients concerning OSHA matters.
Seyfarth Shaw's Real Estate Practice - Illinois Recognized by Chambers USA
Seyfarth Shaw's Real Estate Practice Group - Illinois recognized by Chambers USA, with a #3 ranking.
Respondents told Chambers, “The ‘excellent and capable’ 30-lawyer group… has ‘a lot of presence and a great secured lending practice.’”
Seyfarth Shaw's Construction Practice - District of Columbia Recognized by Chambers USA
Seyfarth Shaw's Construction Practice Group - District of Columbia recognized by Chambers USA, with a #2 ranking.
Chambers noted, “The group is well versed in multimillion-dollar claims concerning design defects and delays, as well as contractual agreements, procurement, risk management and litigation avoidance. Federal government contract-related work is also handled by the construction team, which works closely with government specialists based in the DC office.”
Seyfarth Shaw's Labor & Employment Practices Recognized in 2008 Edition of Legal 500
Several of Seyfarth Shaw's labor and employment practices are recommended in the 2008 edition of Legal 500 US. The firm was ranked in the Labor and Employment Litigation and Labor-Management Relations categories, and it topped the tables with a first-tier recommendation for its practice covering Workplace and Employment Counseling.
Seyfarth Shaw's Real Estate Practice - Illinois Recognized in 2008 Edition of Legal 500
Seyfarth Shaw's Real Estate practice in Illinois once again is ranked as a leader, having recently been recommended by the Legal 500 US in its 2008 edition.
SF AIDS Legal Referral Panel Names Seyfarth An Outstanding Law Firm Partner
The San Francisco AIDS Legal Referral Panel (“ALRP”) recognized Seyfarth Shaw as an Outstanding Law Firm partner for the firm’s involvement with its Pro Bono Connections Initiative.
“ALRP is a local organization that provides direct services to people with living with AIDS and HIV, including legal services,” says San Francisco Labor & Employment associate Laura Maechtlen, who is a member of the ALRP’s board of directors. “They are known for using their resources wisely and you can feel good working for them. Seyfarth Shaw has made a commitment to supporting organizations that are providing high quality legal services.”
Laura and other firm attorneys handle pro bono cases referred by the ALRP and give MCLE presentations for other pro bono attorneys who agree to take on ALRP cases.
San Jose/Silicon Valley NAACP Awards Seyfarth for Pro Bono Service
Seyfarth Shaw LLP received the prestigious Circle of Friends Award for its commitment to pro bono and community service at the San Jose/Silicon Valley NAACP 56th Annual Freedom and Friendship Gala. The NAACP's principal objective is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of minority group citizens of United States and eliminate race prejudice. Sheeva Ghassemi, a Labor & Employment associate in our San Francisco office, is SJ/SV NAACP's General Counsel.
“The SJ/SV NAACP is an organization that I have been involved with since 2003, when I was entering my first year of law school and wanted to find a way to participate in worthwhile pro bono work,” says Sheeva. “I have become fully invested in this organization and enjoy being able to aid the SJ/SV NAACP in providing pro bono legal services to those in need. It’s a testament to Seyfarth Shaw’s commitment to pro bono that it was a 2008 Circle of Friends Award recipient.”
Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta Names Seyfarth Shaw the Law Firm of the Year
Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta (“PBP-ATL”) presented Seyfarth Shaw with the “Law Firm of the Year” award. PBP-ATL’s mission is to make it as easy and enjoyable as possible for transactional lawyers at corporations and law firms to provide valuable pro bono services for nonprofit agencies serving the public interest in metropolitan Atlanta. In giving Seyfarth the award, PBP-ATL Executive Director Rachel Spears cited, among other things, the high percentage of our Atlanta lawyers who have taken on a matter and the multiple high quality seminars that our Atlanta lawyers have put on for PBP-ATL clients.
Atlanta Office Featured in Southern Business & Development
The firm’s Atlanta office was featured in the Winter 2008 issue of Southern Business & Development in the magazine’s article on the “Top 10 Law Firms that Understand Economic Development.” The article referred to Atlanta partner Dan McRae as an “economic development legal guru” who “has managed finance and investment transactions amounting to billions of dollars,” and was “the first attorney to be elected a director of the Georgia Economic Developers Association.”
The Fulton County Daily Report Awards Atlanta Attorney Erik Rodriguez for Pro Bono Service
Erik Rodriguez was recognized by The Daily Report with its consumer advocacy award for individual achievement representing a low-income family that was sold a termite-infested home. Erik, a Labor & Employment senior associate, was referred the case through the Atlanta Legal Aid Society. As secretary of the Georgia Hispanic Bar Association, Erik, who is bilingual, often fields calls from members of the Hispanic community and Spanish speakers to take on pro bono matters or provide referrals to other attorneys.
“I’m always struck by how grateful pro bono clients are. Many of them do not know their rights and are often fearful of the system. They are grateful to have someone stand up for them, which makes the work very rewarding,” Erik says. “I was proud to receive on behalf of the firm the award from The Daily Report. It is great attention for our office and the pro bono work that we are doing.”
Laura J. Maechtlen Elected President of National Lesbian and Gay Law Association
Laura J. Maechtlen, an attorney with the Labor and Employment Department in the firm’s San Francisco office, has been elected President of the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association, a national association of lawyers, judges and other legal professionals, law students, activists, and affiliated lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender legal organizations.
Rob Whitman Receives Award from Lawyers Alliance for NY for Pro Bono Leadership
NY Labor & Employment partner Rob Whitman received the 2008 Award for Pro Bono Leadership from Lawyers Alliance for New York ("Lawyers Alliance"), in recognition of his 11 years of outstanding service as a volunteer attorney. Lawyers Alliance provides business and transactional legal services for New York City nonprofit organizations and is a leading pro bono referral agency for the NY office.
"This award highlights Lawyers Alliance's philosophy that pro bono work is not just for junior associates," says Rob.
Rob has provided pro bono employment counseling to numerous nonprofit organizations referred by Lawyers Alliance. He was also one of the first attorneys to join Lawyers Alliance’s Nonprofit Employment Law Helpline panel. Rob also received a Cornerstone Award from Lawyers Alliance in 2006.
Illinois Legal Aid Online Names Paul Freehling Its Pro Bono Attorney of the Month
Chicago Litigation partner Paul Freehling’s work on petitions for executive clemency to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board on behalf of several pro bono clients was recognized by Illinois Legal Aid Online, which named him its Pro Bono Attorney of the Month for January 2008.
Krista Pratt receives Shining Star Award for Pro Bono Service
Boston Labor & Employment partner Krista Pratt received the Shining Star Award from the Victim Rights Law Center ("VRLC"). VRLC is a non-profit organization that advocates for and provides free legal services to sexual assault victims and is a pro bono referral agency for the Boston office. Each year, the VRLC and a panel of pro bono peers pay special tribute to a "shining" attorney whose exemplary dedication and accomplishments have proven most inspiring. Boston Employee Benefits of counsel Diane Soubly was a member of this year's awards committee. Krista Pratt has worked with the VRLC since its inception.
Hispanic National Bar Association Selects Seyfarth Shaw as 2006 "Law Firm of the Year"
Seyfarth Shaw LLP, one of America’s leading full service law firms, has been recognized by the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) as “Law Firm of the Year” for 2006. The award, presented at the organization’s recent 31st Annual Convention in San Francisco, honors Seyfarth Shaw for the firm’s leadership role in supporting diversity efforts in the workplace and its firm-wide commitment to attorney participation in regional and national bar associations and other organizations that promote diversity in the legal profession and in the community.
Seyfarth Shaw Recognized as National Leader in 2007 Chambers USA Rankings
Seyfarth Shaw LLP, one of America’s leading full service law firms, is recognized in the 2007 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as among the best law firms in multiple practice areas nationally and in regional markets, and 23 of the firm’s attorneys were also ranked as preeminent in their field.
Andrew T. Hahn, Sr. Voted President-Elect of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
Andrew T. Hahn, Sr. has been elected President-Elect of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association [NAPABA]. Hahn will assume his new role beginning November 15, the opening day of NAPABA's19th annual national convention to be held this year in Las Vegas.
Sang-yul Lee Named to Law Bulletin's "40 Under Forty"
Sang-yul Lee has been recognized by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company (publisher of Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer) as one of “40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch” for 2007. Lee joins Seyfarth Shaw attorneys Gerald Pauling, Allegra Rich, Phillip Shawn Wood and Mark Johnson who have each been named to the exclusive list.