Seyfarth Expands Labor & Employment Team with Addition of Veteran Trial Lawyer Carmen Cole in Los Angeles

September 16, 2026 - Seyfarth Shaw LLP has further boosted its Labor & Employment practice and trial capabilities with the move of veteran trial lawyer, employment litigator and counselor Carmen Cole to the firm as a partner based in its Los Angeles (Century City) office.

Cole offers more than 25 years of experience representing employers in complex employment litigation, workplace disputes and investigations, executive mobility, compliance counseling, and business strategy.

She joins Seyfarth following her position as General Counsel of The Mancini Foundation, where she acted as chief legal advisor to executive leadership and the board of directors on governance, regulatory compliance, risk management, employment matters, and strategic initiatives.

Cole's experience spans private practice, law firm leadership, human resources, risk management, and in-house legal roles, giving her a broad perspective on the business and legal challenges employers face today.

"Carmen brings a rare mix of litigation experience, trial skills, and in-house perspective that aligns well with what our clients need today," said Laura Maechtlen, chair of Seyfarth’s national Labor & Employment department. "She is a highly regarded lawyer and trusted advisor. We are excited about the positive impact she will have on our clients and our team while contributing to the long-term growth of our practice.”

Cole has first-chaired trials, arbitrations, and mediations on behalf of employers, counseled C-suite executives, boards, and high-net-worth individuals on employment risk mitigation and compliance issues, and conducted sensitive workplace investigations, compliance trainings, and classification audits.

"Carmen strengthens our bench in Southern California and adds significant experience in both litigation and counseling matters," said Jonathan Brophy, managing partner of Seyfarth’s Century City (Los Angeles) office. "She is a terrific addition to our Century City team and will be an important resource for clients navigating workplace challenges."

Cole has been recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal, Los Angeles Times, and Benchmark Litigation, including honors such as Leaders of Influence – Labor & Employment Attorneys and Labor & Employment Star – California.

"What drew me to Seyfarth was its collaborative culture and deep commitment to helping employers solve complex workplace issues," said Cole. "The firm's platform, talent, and reputation make it an exciting place to continue building my practice. I am looking forward to working with colleagues across the firm."

Cole earned her JD from Pepperdine University School of Law and her BA in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations from California State University, Fullerton. She is admitted to practice in California and Georgia, as well as multiple federal district courts and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Seyfarth’s market-leading and award-winning Labor and Employment practice delivers strategic counsel and defense of disputes across the full employee lifecycle and every facet of labor and employment law, backed by more than 400 attorneys and a global reach spanning nearly 200 countries. This integrated approach positions Seyfarth as an industry leader and go-to advisor, offering clients innovative solutions and a deep bench of experienced attorneys to address the most challenging workplace legal issues.

Seyfarth’s Century City office, established more than 50 years ago, serves clients across a range of practices, including labor and employment, employee benefits, intellectual property, corporate, and litigation matters.

About Seyfarth: With more than 1,000 lawyers across 19 offices, Seyfarth Shaw LLP provides advisory, litigation, and transactional legal services to clients worldwide. The firm is recognized for its innovative approach, advancing the standard of legal service delivery in an evolving global marketplace.

Seyfarth collaborates with clients to capitalize on opportunities and solve complex challenges across capabilities, including corporate, litigation, real estate, regulatory compliance, labor and employment, and executive compensation and employee benefits. Committed to collaboration and a client-centered approach, Seyfarth delivers solutions as sophisticated as the challenges clients face.