Brian Arbetter Joins Sheppard Mullin

CHICAGO, May 1, 2013 — Brian Arbetter has joined Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP as a partner in the firm's Labor and Employment practice group.  Arbetter is based in Sheppard Mullin’s Chicago office and will regularly spend time in the firm’s Los Angeles offices.  He joins from Baker & McKenzie in Chicago with senior associate Terese Connolly. 

"Brian is a highly-regarded international labor law specialist, whose background and expertise is an excellent fit with us.  We continue to grow cornerstone practice groups like Labor and Employment and expand our capabilities to better serve clients.  Brian is a terrific attorney and we welcome him to the firm," said Guy N. Halgren, chairman of Sheppard Mullin.

"I am excited to join Sheppard Mullin.  I am impressed with the firm’s top-notch employment practice, as well as the strength and breadth of the firm's other practice areas.  Sheppard Mullin's international platform, coupled with its strong full-service presence in the U.S., enables an incredible level of worldwide client service," Arbetter commented. 

“Brian is among the premier international labor and employment lawyers in the country and we’re looking forward to expanding our global reach through his expertise and international client base.  His arrival propels an already formidable national practice to the forefront of international employment law and will also broaden capabilities firmwide throughout our global platform,” said Jonathan Stoler, co-chair of Sheppard Mullin’s Labor and Employment practice group.

“We are extremely enthusiastic about Brian joining us in Chicago.  He is a terrific addition our growing Chicago office and we look forward to working with him and servicing his clients,” commented Lawrence C. Eppley, managing partner of Sheppard Mullin’s Chicago office. 

Arbetter has two decades of experience advising and developing strategy for multinational companies regarding their international and domestic labor and employment issues in the United States and abroad.  This experience includes, among other things, employment discrimination and harassment, leaves of absence and disabilities, unions and works councils, wage and hour, restructurings and reductions in force, hiring, employment agreements and policies, codes of conduct, whistleblowing, affirmative action, health and safety, and employment law aspects of mergers and acquisitions. Arbetter represents employers and management exclusively.  He frequently writes, speaks, and is quoted on labor and employment law issues.

While focusing largely on advising and defending employers on myriad employment issues and claims, Arbetter also assists in developing policies and practices to help minimize employment liability risks — and avoid claims that give rise to litigation.  He has deep experience in regulatory matters — including government audits, investigations and private party actions — in all areas of wage and hour law, occupational health and safety, and affirmative action/government contracting.  Highly experienced in obtaining emergency injunctive relief to stop and prevent union picketing activity, Arbetter also helps implement policies and techniques to avoid and minimize unionization, including emerging threats via the internet. 

Arbetter received his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School in 1991 and a B.S. from Washington University in 1988. 

Sheppard Mullin’s Labor and Employment practice group includes close to 100 attorneys firmwide.  The firm has 15 attorneys based in its Chicago office. 

Last week, Jack Kiley joined Sheppard Mullin as a partner in the firm's New York office, as a member of the Labor and Employment practice group.  Kiley most recently practiced at Kelley Drye & Warren, where he chaired the Labor and Employment practice group.  Joining Kiley at Sheppard Mullin from Kelley Drye & Warren is a six-attorney Labor and Employment group. 

About Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

Sheppard Mullin is a full service Global 100 firm with 630 attorneys in 16 offices located in the United States, Europe and Asia.  Since 1927, companies have turned to Sheppard Mullin to handle corporate and technology matters, high stakes litigation and complex financial transactions.  In the U.S., the firm's clients include more than half of the Fortune 100.  For more information, please visit www.sheppardmullin.com.