2008-11-07 22:23:02 -

- Ford & Harrison LLP, a national labor and employment law firm, announced Monday the addition of two new attorneys to the firm's Washington, DC office. Patrick J. Stewart joins the firm as Senior Counsel and Jaclyn L. West joins as an associate. Both lawyers will practice both traditional labor and employment law.

Pat Stewart concentrates his practice on collective bargaining, contract interpretation, grievance and arbitration, union avoidance and prevention, and the defense of unfair labor practice charges. He has been responsible for all legal proceedings related to representation petitions and has directed union avoidance campaigns in numerous union organizing drives from the card signing process to appeals of National Labor Relations Board proceedings in federal courts He has

also negotiated numerous collective bargaining agreements and routinely represents management in labor arbitration cases.

Mr. Stewart also provides employment law counsel to employers on a wide range of matters including wage-hour administration, defense and enforcement of non-competition covenants, employee theft and embezzlement, and the defense of employment discrimination claims. He is a cum laude graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he served on Law Review. He has practiced labor and employment law for 24 years and was previously a partner with Kollman & Saucier in Baltimore and Venable LLP in Washington, DC.

Jaclyn West's practice encompasses all areas relating to the counseling, training and representation of management clients. She also drafts and reviews employment policies, employment contracts and employee handbooks. Prior to joining Ford & Harrison, Ms. West served as a clerk for the United States Department of Labor, Employees' Compensation Appeals Board in Washington, DC. She received her J.D., with honors, from George Washington University School of Law.

"We are delighted that Pat and Jaclyn have joined our Washington, DC office," said Herb Gerson, Ford & Harrison's Deputy Managing Partner. "Their extensive background in labor and employment law is expected to increase the value of services we can extend to clients in the market. Ford & Harrison is committed to Washington, DC and this news is just the beginning of our growth there."

Ford & Harrison is a national labor and employment law firm with nearly 200 lawyers in 18 offices: Atlanta, GA; Asheville, NC; Birmingham, AL; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Jacksonville, FL; Los Angeles, CA; Melbourne, FL; Miami, FL; Memphis, TN; Minneapolis, MN; New York, NY; Orlando, FL; Phoenix, AZ; Spartanburg, SC; Tampa, FL; and Washington, DC. Lawyers in the firm represent employers in labor, employment, immigration and employee benefits matters, including litigation, in issues involving national and international jurisdictions. More information can be found at www.fordharrison.com.

Ford & Harrison LLP
Lynne Donaghy, 404-888-3858
ldonaghy@fordharrison.com