Continuing the expansion of its year-old New York office, Venable LLP has added litigator Michael J. Volpe as a partner in its Labor and Employment Group.
Mr. Volpe, 45, joins Venable from employment and labor litigation boutique Clifton, Budd & DeMaria, LLP. He is the sixth new partner to join the firm's New York office since its opening in June 2005.
Mr. Volpe's practice covers a wide spectrum of labor and employment law. He represents clients in all facets of litigation and has extensive trial and appellate experience defending claims of discrimination under federal, state and local laws. He regularly litigates and advises clients on breach of contract claims arising from sales commission agreements, restrictive covenant provisions in employment agreements, and stock option agreements.
In his labor law practice, Mr. Volpe handles the defense of large numbers of arbitration claims each year. He regularly represents clients faced with union organizing efforts as well as aids in the negotiation and administration of collective bargaining agreements. Mr. Volpe also conducts seminars on sexual harassment in the workplace, union organizing and general employment law issues for human resource professionals.
"Our New York office continues to grow in strength and experience with the addition of Michael, a strong, well-respected labor and employment litigator," said Edmund M. O'Toole, Partner-in-Charge of Venable's New York office. "In just over a year, our New York office has attracted a very strong and diverse collection of litigators."
"We are very happy to be able to add an experienced and talented litigator to our New York employment group," added Robert G. Ames and Ronald W. Taylor, co-chairs of Venable's Labor and Employment Group. "Michael has very broad experience successfully handling the major issues facing corporate America today."
Mr. Volpe's recent notable representations include defense verdicts after a jury trial in a sexual harassment case where Mr. Volpe defended a major real estate brokerage company and in a national origin case where he defended an international travel agency. Mr. Volpe also negotiated a very favorable settlement for a Fortune 500 manufacturing company in an age discrimination case.
"I have known about Venable for years -- their labor and employment practice has a great reputation," said Mr. Volpe. "When I heard that the firm was opening up a New York office, I was certainly intrigued, given the high level of the legal work the firm handles and the quality clients it represents. Now that I have joined the firm, I look forward to building my practice with a group of top-notch litigators."
Mr. Volpe received his J.D. from New York Law School, his M.S. in Industrial-Labor Relations from Cornell University/Baruch College and his B.A. from Hofstra University.
Joining the firm with Mr. Volpe is associate Shaffin A. Datoo, who left a large national labor and employment law firm where he represented several Fortune 100 companies to re-join Mr. Volpe, with whom he previously worked. Mr. Datoo, who is primarily an employment litigator, represents management in state and federal courts and in administrative proceedings in connection with claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, collective and class action wage and hour violations, and breach of non-compete agreements and contracts. In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Datoo regularly advises clients on day-to-day labor and employment issues.
Mr. Datoo received his J.D. from St. John's University School of Law and his B.A. from McMaster University.
One of the American Lawyer’s top 100 law firms, Venable LLP has attorneys practicing in all areas of corporate and business law, complex litigation, intellectual property and government affairs. Venable serves corporate, institutional, governmental, nonprofit and individual clients throughout the U.S. and around the world from its headquarters in Washington, D.C. and offices in California, Maryland, New York and Virginia. For more, visit www.Venable.com.