Drinker Biddle Adds Three Prominent Labor & Employment Lawyers in N.J.
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP welcomes three new lawyers to its Labor & Employment Practice Group. The addition of Lynne Anne Anderson as Partner and William R. Horwitz and Jerrold J. Wohlgemuth as Counsel enhances the firm’s national presence in the labor and employment law arena and adds strength to Drinker Biddle’s Florham Park office, where the group will be based. The three were previously with Porzio Bromberg & Newman P.C. in Morristown, N.J.
The three new lawyers have more than 70 years of combined experience appearing before state and federal courts, government agencies and in arbitration. Each member focuses on a variety of employment litigation areas, including defense of employment discrimination, wrongful discharge, retaliation, sexual harassment and breach of contract claims, as well as providing strategic counseling.
“We have had several significant additions to our labor and employment group across the country over the last several years and this is the latest,” said Alfred W. Putnam, Jr., Drinker Biddle’s Chairman. “Lynne, Jerry and Bill are high-quality lawyers. Their arrival means we will have even more resources from which to draw when serving our clients.”
Thomas J. Barton, co-chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group, said the three lawyers are known for their focus on client service.
“Their individual practices enhance and expand our group in a way that not only adds depth to our current strengths, but also allows us to offer our clients additional services,” Barton said. “Though that is important, the main thing here is how similar we are in terms of emphasizing client service. Their practice of providing individualized attention, sound advice and regular counseling to clients meshes perfectly with our focus on doing the same in a creative, proactive manner.”
Anderson, who is consistently recognized by Chambers USA, said Drinker Biddle’s national presence in the labor and employment market was a critical factor in joining the firm.
“Having a national platform and the resources of a big firm was important to me from a client service and professional growth standpoint,” Anderson said. “Drinker Biddle is a very well-respected firm and it is committed to growing in a smart, strategic manner. I weighed both those facts heavily when deciding to make the move. It just makes sense for my clients and for me.”
Anderson has significant experience handling a wide range of employment litigation, as well as restrictive covenant disputes. She also counsels clients on reductions in force and business restructuring, drafting employment contracts and personnel policies, and resolving workplace disputes. Anderson provides anti-harassment and discrimination training, as well as training related to recruiting, performance management, promotions and the conducting of internal investigations. Her training curriculum further includes issues related to compliance with the various state and federal family and medical leave and disability laws.
Anderson, who earned her law degree from Rutgers University School of Law – Camden and her bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College, is the president of the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association and an active member of the National Association of Women Lawyers.
In addition to defending corporate clients on a variety of employment-related claims, Horwitz also handles matters involving trade secrets and restrictive covenants while working with companies to develop or improve policies, procedures and agreements to safeguard confidential information and business relationships. He further counsels clients on preventing workplace disputes and other employment-related issues. Horwitz is a graduate of Emory University School of Law and the University of Michigan, where he earned his bachelor’s degree.
Wohlgemuth concentrates his practice on defending corporate and health care clients in employment discrimination, wrongful discharge sexual harassment, whistleblowing and other employment-related cases. He has extensive appellate experience at both the state and federal levels. He also handles ERISA benefits claims and employment tort claims. Wohlgemuth, who previously worked in the National Labor Relations Board’s Office of Appellate Litigation, earned his law degree from Catholic University Columbus School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University.