Seyfarth Appoints Laura Maechtlen as Chair of Labor & Employment Department

SAN FRANCISCO (October 2, 2017) -- Seyfarth Shaw LLP today announced that Laura Maechtlen has been named chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment department, after serving as vice-chair since January 2016.

With more than 425 lawyers across the country, Seyfarth’s Labor & Employment department is the firm’s largest, representing companies of all sizes in today’s most complex and strategic workplace legal matters.

A partner in the San Francisco office and seasoned employment litigator, Maechtlen focuses her practice on employment litigation, including the defense of class, collective and multi-plaintiff actions.

“It’s a tremendous honor and privilege to serve the firm and my colleagues,” said Maechtlen. “I look forward to upholding our longstanding reputation as the top employment law firm in the country, while also evolving our services to meet the demands of clients operating at the forefront of the future of work. It’s an exciting time to be leading such a talented group of lawyers.”

Earlier this year, Maechtlen led the development of the firm’s Future Employer initiative, launching a new collaborative community for the firm’s clients where they can share new and emerging legal issues related to the future of work. She was previously named as one of five employment attorneys to Law360's “Rising Stars” list, as well as a “Top 75 Employment Litigators” and “Top Leading Labor and Employment Lawyers In California” by the Daily Journal.

“Laura is both a highly respected lawyer and leader who has proven herself through a variety of leadership roles inside the firm and out,” said Pete Miller, Seyfarth’s chair and managing partner. “As a firm dedicated to diversity and inclusion, we are proud to welcome an ‘out’ woman of color to our leadership ranks. Laura is perfectly positioned to take our Labor & Employment department to new heights. I congratulate her and look forward to her continued leadership.”

A well-recognized advocate and champion of diversity in the legal industry, Maechtlen was recently identified in The Huffington Post as one of the “business world’s own New Supermodels — out women in business who identify as LGBT+ and are kicking it.” At Seyfarth, she serves as co-chair of its Diversity & Inclusion Action Team. Outside the firm, she has served as the president of the national LGBT Bar Association, co-chair of the California Minority Counsel Program, and in leadership roles with the National Hispanic Bar Association. Maechtlen was also an inaugural Fellow of the Leadership Council for Legal Diversity.

About Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Seyfarth Shaw has more than 900 attorneys in 15 offices providing a broad range of legal services in the areas of labor and employment, employee benefits, litigation, corporate and real estate. Seyfarth’s clients include over 300 of the Fortune 500 companies and reflect virtually every industry and segment of the economy. A recognized leader in delivering value and innovation for legal services, Seyfarth has earned numerous accolades from a variety of highly respected industry associations, consulting firms and media.

Contacts:

Brian Kiefer, Director of Public Relations (312) 460-6401, bkiefer@seyfarth.com

Martin Grego, Public Relations Manager (312) 460-6659, mgrego@seyfarth.com