Aaron Agenbroad, Erin Connell, Carol Gillam, Tracey Kennedy and Anthony Oncidi were named “Top Labor & Employment Lawyer” by The Daily Journal. The list recognizes California attorneys who specialize in labor and employment litigation and counseling.
Lisa Banks (WDC) and Jason Schwartz (WDC) co-authored Whistleblower Law: A Practitioner’s Guide, Release 17. This edition highlights significant developments in whistleblower legislation at the state level, including California’s S.B. 53, the Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act.
Eric Barnum (GA) has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Grady Health Foundation, the non-profit organization that raises money to support the Grady Health System in Atlanta, GA.
Rick Bergstrom (CA), Craig Cleland (GA) and Pankit Doshi (CA) were selected as BTI Client Service All Star for 2026. The BTI Client Service All-Stars list is the gold standard used by corporate counsel and law firms alike to identify the attorneys delivering the absolute best levels of client service.
David Borgen (CA), Lori Deem (IL), Laura Ho (CA) and James Kan (CA) were among 500 leading civil rights & plaintiff employment lawyers named to the 2026 edition of the Lawdragon list.
David Carr (IN), Kelly Bunting Dobbs (PA) and Gerald Maatman (IL) were included in the Legal 500 US 2026 Edition (recommended for Workplace and Employment Counseling).
Judge J. Michelle Childs was honored as one of four recipients of the 2026 Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award. She was honored during the award ceremony and reception on August 2, 2026 at the ABA Annual Conference. Judge J. Michelle Childs currently serves as a US Circuit Judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. She is a past president of the Federal Judges Association and has been named to the American Inns of Court Board of Trustees and the US Supreme Court Fellows Commission.
Marytza Reyes (CA) was recently named to the 2026 Legal Visionaries list by LA Times Studios in recognition of her outstanding legal skills, contributions to employment law, and a commitment to positively impacting her clients and the broader legal community.
Mike Schmidt (NY) has been named one of Crain’s New York Business’ Notable Leaders in “Accounting, Consulting & Law.”
Grace Speights (WDC) has been named to Forbes inaugural “Top Women Lawyers List.” This recognition celebrates lawyers who have earned elite reputations as trusted advisors, influential leaders, and accomplished advocates.
Lewis Smoak (SC), 3rd from the left, received the SCBIZ‘s Leaders in Law Award in the Lifetime Achievement category. He is joined by Fellows Gray Geddie, 2nd from the left, and Fred Suggs, 2nd from the right, in the photo.
Mishell Parreno Taylor (TX) has been named President-elect of the Hispanic National Bar Association, the national organization representing the interests of Hispanic attorneys, judges, law professors, law students, and other legal professionals across the United States. Mishell will be sworn in as President-Elect during the HNBA Annual Gala on September 11, 2026 and will serve as President of the HNBA commencing in September 2027.
Joe Torres (IL) was named to Negocios Now’s “Who’s Who Hispanic Business” as One of 50 Powerful Latino Lawyers. The Negocios Now Gala was held on July 23, 2026.
Congratulations to all Fellows who were installed as officers of the ABA Labor and Employment Law Section’s during the recent ABA Annual Conference in Chicago: Eric Iska — Section Chair, Julie Richard Spencer, Chair-Elect, Jennifer Sabourin, Vice Chair (Employer), Melissa Woods, Vice Chair (Union & Employee) and Mark Gaston Pearce, Secretary-Elect. Jason Marsilli is now Immediate Past Chair. And congratulations to all Fellows who accepted positions on the Section’s Council.
