Magaret Angelucci, a partner at Asher, Gittler D’Alba, has been named 2026 Lawyer of the Year (Chicago – Labor Law-Union) by The Best Lawyers in America.
Congratulations to Elena Baca, Employment Global co-chair at Paul Hastings, on being included in Daily Journal’s “Top Labor and Employment Lawyers.” The annual list recognizes California’s top contributors to labor and employment law.
Ellen Kearns was recognized in 2025 Chambers and Partners USA rankings for Labor & Employment in Massachusetts. Ellen is co-chair of the Wage and Hour Practice Group at Constangy.
A number of Fellows presented at the June 2025 77th Annual NYU Conference on Labor and Employment Law. This year’s program was titled “Trump Administration Initiatives & Opportunities for New Approaches.” Fellows included on the two-day conference as either speakers or moderators werePatrick Shea,Troy Kessler, Pearl Zuchlewski, Roger King,John Ring,William Cowen,Michael Gray, Randal Johnson, Richard Griffin, andMichael Delikat. Special recognition toProf. Sam Estriecher who is Director of the Center for Labor & Employment Law and primary organizer of the event.
Frank Mamat, a partner with Plunkett Cooney in Bloomfield Hills, MI, received the 2025 Michigan Super Lawyer designation in Employment & Labor.
Javier Ramirez has joined the Scheinman Institute at Cornell’s ILR School as Executive Manager of the newly launched National Conflict Resolution Service, where he will play a key role using his over 20 years of experience at the FMCS. The mission of the NCRS is to serve as the go-to entity for the labor-management community, providing collective bargaining mediation, labor-management training and conflict resolution and relationship-building services.
Mark Risk’s article on US tariffs was published in the ABA’s Labor and Employment Law Newsletter, titled The US Tariffs: A Guide for the (Sophisticated) Beginner. Click here to read the full article.
Orlando The City’s Magazine recently recognized Jill Schwartz and her firm Jill S. Schwartz & Associates, PA in their Hall of Fame 2025 for excellence in her field. The magazine partners with Best Lawyers in America to print their peer survey list. Each professional in the Hall of Fame has been listed a minimum of fives times.
Don Slesnick was presented with a Special Recognition Award by the South Florida Police Benevolent Association, celebrating his 50 years of legal service to the PBA, and honoring Don as a “brilliant attorney” and a tireless public servant. The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce also recognized Don and his late wife, Jeannett Slesnick, with the 17th Annual George E. Merrick Awards of Excellence.
Congratulations to Dana Sullivan, a Partner at Buchanan Angeli Altschul & Sullivan, who was honored as one of the Top 10 Oregon Attorneys by SuperLawyers.
Evan Spelfogel was reappointed for a second three-year term as Secretary to the Association of the Bar of the City of New York Labor and Employment Law Committee.
The Honorable Beth Walker, Supreme Court of West Virginia, was presented with the inaugural Service to Young Lawyers Award in recognition of her commitment to mentoring young lawyers throughout her career. The award was given by Counsel Connections during their 2025 Annual Judicial Reception which brings together judges from every level of the West Virginia judiciary along with attorneys, law students and young professionals from across the state.
The College congratulates Jason Marsili, who assumed the office of Chair of the ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law at the close of the Annual Meeting which took place earlier this month in Toronto. Eric Iskra moved to Chair-Elect and Jennifer Sabourin became the Vice Chair, Employer. Julie Richard Spencer continues as Vice Chair Union and Employee. Joe Torres is now Immediate Past Chair. Two new Council members are also College Fellows: Kelly Dobbs Bunting (Employer) and Lori Deem (Employee). Congratulations to all!
Christine Amalfe (Newark, NJ) was sworn in as president of the New Jersey State Bar Association on May 15, 2025 during its annual meeting and convention in Atlantic City. She will play a key role in advancing the NJSBA’s mission to advocate for the legal profession, promote access to justice, and support the independence and integrity of the judicial branch.
Ruben Garcia (Las Vegas, NV) was a guest on Seth Harris’ podcast, The Power Half-Hour. The podcast is livestreamed, fast-paced, bi-weekly roundtable with a rotating group of regular guests who discuss the biggest labor story of the preceding week and the labor story everyone should be talking about over the next two weeks. You can listen by clicking here. Professor Garcia was also quoted in a June 9thBloomberg News article High Court Review of Detainee Wage Case Threatens Legal Strategy.
Two Fellows were installed as officers during the National Academy of Arbitrators’ 78th Annual Meeting & Member Education Conference in Seattle: Walt De Treux (Philadelphia, PA) was installed as President-Elect and Randi Lowitt (Far Hills, NJ) as 1st Term Vice President.
Nicole Porter (Williamsburg, VA) authored a June 10th article for Bloomberg News entitled Despite Unanimous Ruling, Court Appears Split on Discrimination. Professor Porter, who teaches at William and Mary Law School, says that despite a unanimous decision in Ames v. Ohio, there appears to be a rift on the Supreme Court about how justices view the problems of discrimination. Click here to read her article.
Congrats to Sue Ann Van Dermyden who received the 2025 Distinguished Alumni of Honor award from University of the Pacific – McGeorge School of Law. This honor is bestowed upon graduates who exemplify professional excellence, leadership, and deep commitment to service to the legal community.
A number of Texas Fellows participated in UT Law CLE’s 32nd Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference which took place in Austin on June 5-6. Clara ‘C.B.’ Burns, Malinda Gaul, Michael Green, John Jansonius and Rod Tanner served as Conference Faculty members. Dennis Duffy, Michael Fox, Charles High, Jim Kizziar, Robert Sheeder, Rod Tanner, Malinda Gaul and Clara ‘C.B.’ Burns were members of the Planning Committee. The conference is the premier program on employment law practice in Texas, bringing together leading members of the bar, personnel experts, and in-house counsel, offering timely updates, emerging trends, and the variety of perspectives practitioners need.
Washington, DC area Fellows gathered on May 15th for a casual happy hour get together. Thanks to beautiful weather, it looks like everyone had a great time. Plans for the fall happy hour are underway. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, September 10th. Details will be shared in mid-July. If you’d like to join the planning committee, please contact Scott Oswald or Yona Rozen.
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