Firm Watch
Jun. 18, 2002
Sonnenschein Nath: SEDGWICK PARTNER TAKES LABOR LITIGATORS ALONG
Led by partner Donna D. Melby , a group of four labor and employment litigation attorneys has left Sedgwick Detert Moran & Arnold in Los Angeles.
The group, which includes of-counsel Marco Ferreira and associates Cynthia Emry and Kathryn Morgan, moved to the Los Angeles office of Chicago's Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal June 3.
The foursome composed the entire labor and employment department at Sedgwick Detert's 70-attorney Los Angeles office.
Melby, 51, will help head Sonnenschein Nath's labor and employment group in Los Angeles, which has 10 attorneys, with partner Brent Giddens.
The litigation focus of San Francisco-based Sedgwick Detert limited the growth of her practice, Melby says.
"I needed to have the support of more practice groups around me," she says. "I expect my concentration to remain the same, and I expect I will be working on the same matters in litigation. The job will be the same, but the opportunity to expand the practice will be enhanced."
Elliot Olson, managing partner in Sedgwick Detert's Los Angeles office, says that the firm is evaluating whether it will relaunch the Southern California employment group.
Olson called Melby's departure amicable.
"We're losing a very fine lawyer," Olson says. "She's leaving for a wonderful opportunity, and we wish her the very best."
Richard Kolodny of Los Angeles' Portfolio Group brokered Melby's move.
Sonnenschein Nath has 600 attorneys nationwide, including 60 attorneys each in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Staff Writer
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