Seyfarth Shaw LLP

The ‘versatile and knowledgeable’ team at Seyfarth Shaw LLP demonstrates capabilities in a range of contentious employment mandates including class action defense, bet-the-company litigation, wage and hour cases, and discrimination and harassment litigation. The team acts for clients in the insurance, aerospace, retail, and financial services segments. San Francisco-based Laura Maechtlen in San Francisco heads up the practice and specializes in large-scale class actions alleging systemic violations of federal and state anti-discrimination laws. Over in Chicago, key contacts include ’exceptional partner’ and complex litigation practice co-chair Camille Olson; and Noah Finkel, who is well-versed in state wage-and-hour law mandates. Atlanta-based Annette Idalski, lauded as a ‘staunch advocate for her client’, handles wage and hour lawsuits. Recent arrivals include Sul Kim, who arrived at the Atlanta office in June 2023 from Akerman LLP, and Clifford Sethness, who joined the Los Angeles office in November 2023 from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. Gary Friedman also joined the New York office from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in February 2024.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Camille Olson is an exceptional partner of Seyfarth Shaw LLP. She is extremely knowledgeable, very pleasant to work with and gets me the information I need on a timely basis.’
‘Apart from being versatile and knowledgeable on a wide array of legal matters, I appreciate that the Seyfarth team takes time to learn the intricacies of our business. The team in Boston, especially Barry Miller and Alison Silveira, are excellent. They are my trusted legal advisors for any litigation or regulatory need we may have.’
‘All the partners are fantastic experts with great personality in their work. Associates are well-supported, and they work as a team.'
‘I have worked with the practice for several years now. The firm's practice in collective actions is excellent. The team is knowledgeable about opposing counsel, counterarguments on the law, the trends in this area of litigation, and driving for successful outcomes.’
‘Very responsive team that has a wide reach nationally. I am able to contact Seyfarth and speak with experts in virtually any state.’
‘Ray Baldwin is an outstanding advocate - straightforward practical advice and an aggressive advocate when the situation calls for it. Efficiently manages cases. Takes time to get to know the client and their unique needs.’
‘Highly experienced, quick, and thoughtful. Tough negotiators with strong knowledge.'
'Annette Idalski is a staunch advocate for her client. She is an excellent litigator in trial and arbitration. She knows how to build a strong team and executes a successful outcome for her client.'

Key clients

Allstate Insurance Company
Hyatt
Delta Airlines
Nike, Inc.
Prudential Insurance Company of America
Tesla
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
US Foods, Inc.
The Walgreen Company
Wells Fargo Bank

Work highlights

Won summary judgment on behalf of a significant US securities broker-dealer.
Won summary judgment in its entirety, dismissing a putative class action alleging that a major national retailer violated New York Labor Law by improperly paying thousands of 'manual workers' on a biweekly basis instead of on a weekly basis.
Secured a complete victory for a large multinational retail client following a three-week bench trial in a representative Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) action.

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