Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to welcome Christopher Olmsted as a shareholder in the firm’s San Diego office. Olmsted joins Ogletree Deakins from Barker Olmsted & Barnier, where he was a name partner. Olmsted’s arrival is a boost to the firm’s employment law, litigation, and wage and hour practice groups and increases the firm’s depth in California. Since opening in January 2013, the San Diego office has grown quickly to 11 attorneys who serve clients throughout Southern California and the United States.

Olmsted has extensive litigation experience. His employment law litigation practice includes the defense of Title VII claims regarding race, gender, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, and sexual harassment, as well as claims related to the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), California Family Rights Act (CFRA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Olmsted also regularly litigates false claim and whistleblowing actions, public policy violations, and wrongful termination, wage and hour, misappropriation of trade secrets, and independent contractor misclassification claims. Olmsted has represented clients in state and federal jury and bench trials, judicial and contractual arbitrations, and administrative law hearings, and he has significant experience representing clients before California and federal courts of appeal. In addition, Olmsted regularly counsels employers on employment law compliance and provides training to management, staff, and other attorneys.

“Chris is a veteran employment attorney who is well known and respected in the region’s legal and human resources communities,” said Spencer Skeen, managing shareholder of Ogletree Deakins’ San Diego office. “Chris’ intricate understanding of and ability to provide solutions to the employment issues facing small and mid-sized employers will be an immediate benefit to our clients in San Diego and across Southern California.

An experienced speaker, Olmsted serves as an instructor for Cal State University San Marcos’ Human Resource Management Certificate Program. He also regularly speaks on employment law topics for Southern California organizations including the Professionals in Human Resources Association, San Diego Employers Association, North County Personnel Association, and University of San Diego. Olmsted is very active in the San Diego non-profit community, serving on the board of directors for the Jenna Druck Foundation and Westwind Brass. Olmsted earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles and a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley.

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