Jackson Lewis Expands Mid-West Practice by Merging with Employment Boutique Berens & Tate

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Mon Mar 30, 2009 11:34am EDT

First National Employment Firm in Nebraska
NEW YORK--(Business Wire)--
Jackson Lewis LLP, one of the largest workplace law firms in the United States,
is pleased to announce that Omaha-based Berens & Tate has elected to merge its
practice with Jackson Lewis. With this major development, Jackson Lewis is now
the first national employment law firm with an office in Nebraska. 

Kelly (Kelvin) Berens, a nationally known labor and employment lawyer with over
30 years of experience, will assume the managing partner role for the Omaha
office. He is joined by partners Joe Dreesen, Chris Hoyme, Tim Loudon and Chad
Richter, and associates Ross Gardner, Michael Mortensen, Jill Poole and Ken
Wentz. With the Omaha addition, Jackson Lewis will have 565 lawyers practicing
in 41 offices nationwide. 

Patrick L. Vaccaro, firm-wide managing partner of Jackson Lewis, said, "We are
honored that this distinguished group of labor and employment law practitioners
has joined our firm. Their accomplishments as lawyers, business people, client
acquirers, and builders of a thriving practice in the heart of the Great Plains
is very impressive and notably enhances the reputation of our firm. We believe
being the first national workplace law firm to maintain an office in Nebraska
provides area employers unmatched access to the experience, resources, and
support needed at this critical time for the American workplace. Having an Omaha
office staffed by established leaders in the legal community gives Jackson Lewis
the opportunity to better serve our clients doing business in Nebraska, Iowa,
Kansas, Missouri and the Dakotas." 

Commenting upon the merger, Mr. Berens added, "My partners, associates and I are
very excited about this incredible opportunity to join what we consider to be
the premier workplace law boutique in our region and the nation. The merger with
Jackson Lewis allows us to expand our practice geographically, gives us the
capability to offer services in the areas of employee benefits/ERISA and
affirmative action, and increases our ability to serve the immigration,
training, and other workplace law needs of our clients. We have no doubt the
synergy from our new firm will create opportunities to expand our client base
and enhance the level of legal services our existing clients and friends have
come to expect." 

The firm will continue to practice in the B&T offices in west Omaha, at 10050
Regency Circle, Suite 400, Omaha NE 68114. Kelly Berens, Managing Partner, can
be reached at (402) 827-4230, or at berensk@jacksonlewis.com. For further
information regarding Jackson Lewis, please visit our website,
www.jacksonlewis.com. 

About Jackson Lewis

Founded in 1958, Jackson Lewis is dedicated to representing management
exclusively in workplace law with 565 attorneys practicing in 41 cities
nationwide. Jackson Lewis has a wide-range of specialized practice areas
including: Affirmative Action and OFCCP Diversity Planning; Disability, Leave
and Health Management; Employee Benefits, including Complex ERISA Litigation,
Workplace Privacy and Executive Compensation; Global Immigration; Labor and
Preventive Practices; Litigation, including Class Actions, Complex Litigation
and e-Discovery; Trade Secrets, Non-Competes and Workplace Technology; Wage and
Hour Compliance; and Workplace Safety Compliance. In addition, Jackson Lewis
provides advice nationally in other workplace law areas including: Reductions in
Force, WARN; Corporate Governance and Internal Investigations; Drug Testing and
Substance Abuse Management; International issues; Management Education,
including e-Based Training; Alternative Dispute Resolution; Government Relations
and Public Sector issues. 

About Berens & Tate

Founded in 1979, Berens & Tate is a law firm with a nationwide practice,
specializing in the representation of management in all aspects of labor
relations, employment-related business litigation, negotiations, and planning.
Their practice includes representation of both private and public sector
employers, with and without union contracts, ranging in size from family-owned
businesses and small municipalities to multi-state employers and large
governmental bodies with thousands of employees. 





Jackson Lewis
Lara Hamm, 212-545-4031
Public Relations Manager
HammL@jacksonlewis.com



Copyright Business Wire 2009

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