Employment Attorney Joins Proskauer

February 6, 2013 (Washington, DC) – Global law firm Proskauer has added leading Washington employment litigator Connie N. Bertram as a Partner in its Washington, DC, office.  Ms. Bertram will serve as co-head of the firm’s DC Labor & Employment Practice, as well as co-head of its Government Regulatory Compliance & Relations and Whistleblowing & Retaliation groups. Ms. Bertram joins from Cooley LLP, where she led the Washington, DC, Employment & Labor and Government Contractor Compliance groups.

“Connie is one of Washington’s star labor and employment lawyers, and we’re delighted to welcome her to Proskauer,” said Paul Salvatore, Co-Chair of Proskauer’s Labor & Employment Law Department. “Her joining reflects our continued commitment to attract the best talent to serve our clients and ensure that our labor and employment capabilities are second to none.”

Ms. Bertram is recognized as one of the top employment litigators in the DC area, defending employers in significant and high-profile litigation. She has substantial experience litigating whistleblower, restrictive covenant and trade secret claims and disputes involving executives.  Ms. Bertram also advises federal government contractors and subcontractors on a broad range of whistleblower, affirmative action and compliance issues. She develops client whistleblower, conflict of interest and affirmative action policies and programs; investigates and defends False Claims Act whistleblower complaints; and defends OFCCP and DOL audits and enforcement proceedings.

“In addition to her demonstrated skills as a litigator and trial lawyer, Connie is a highly regarded authority on government contractor compliance and whistleblower issues,” said Elise Bloom, Co-Chair of Proskauer’s Labor & Employment Law Department. “Given the recent surge in federal labor laws and regulations, Connie will play a key role in helping clients navigate Washington’s legal waters.”

Ms. Bertram was selected among Washington Business Journal’s "Top Washington Lawyers" in employment litigation, in addition to being named the "Leading Lawyer" in labor and employment law by Legal Times and a "Top Washington Lawyer" in employment law by Washingtonian Magazine. In 2012, Chambers USA named Ms. Bertram a leading lawyer in labor and employment.

Ms. Bertram will be joined by Guy Brenner, who will serve as Senior Counsel and co-head of Proskauer’s Non-Compete & Trade Secrets Group. Mr. Brenner is an experienced and highly regarded litigator and counselor who has defended employers in class and individual claims across the country. He has particular expertise in independent contractor, restrictive covenant and trade secret litigation and counseling and in resolving executive claims and disputes. 

“Guy brings to Proskauer his Phi Beta Kappa and law review credentials, service in a prestigious judicial clerkship and terrific employment law and litigation experience. He will be an up-and-coming star on Proskauer’s global labor and employment platform,” Mr. Salvatore said.

“Proskauer is a market leader in labor and employment law in Washington,” said Trevor J. Chaplick, managing partner of the firm’s Washington, DC, office. “Connie and Guy will add an extra dimension to our services and enhance our standing as Washington’s go-to firm for labor and employment law.”

Ms. Bertram is the latest in a series of leading lawyers who have recently joined Proskauer’s Labor & Employment Law Department. In 2012, Steven Pearlman joined the Chicago office as Partner and co-head of the firm’s Whistleblowing & Retaliation Group. The firm also added Cédric Jacquelet as International Counsel in Paris. In Los Angeles, Kenneth Sulzer joined as Partner and co-head of the firm’s California Labor & Employment Law and Class/Collective Action groups.

Proskauer’s Labor & Employment Law Department is one of the strongest practices in the world, with more than 160 lawyers globally. The firm was recently honored with the prestigious 2012 Chambers USA “Award for Excellence in Labor & Employment.” It was also ranked by Legal 500 United States 2012 as a tier-one firm in labor and employment across five practices, the most tier-one labor rankings of any U.S. firm. In addition, the firm had the most lawyers named to "The Nation's Most Powerful Employment Attorneys 2012" by Human Resource Executive and Lawdragon magazines, the third consecutive year that Proskauer has led the list. Proskauer was also singled out as one of the top three firms in the United States for Labor & Employment Litigation by The American Lawyer, which noted that clients retain Proskauer when "the company's reputation is on the line.”

About Proskauer

Founded in 1875, Proskauer is a global law firm serving clients’ critical legal needs from offices in Beijing, Boca Raton, Boston, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Newark, Paris, São Paulo and Washington, DC. Additional information about the firm can be found at www.proskauer.com.