NATIONAL – FordHarrison LLP, one of the country’s largest management-side labor and employment law firms, is pleased to announce that Nicholas (Nick) S. Andrews, Tampa, FL; Becky L. Kalas, Chicago, IL; and Thomas (Tom) J. Szymanski, Berkeley Heights, NJ have been named partners in the firm effective January 1, 2022.
“Every attorney in our new partner class has made tremendous contributions to the firm and has shown exceptional commitment to our clients,” said Al McKenna, FordHarrison Managing Partner. “We look forward to seeing their continued success.”
Nick Andrews devotes his practice to the representation of management in matters related to labor and employment law. He is adept at advising clients facing complex employment law issues, including disputes related to allegations of harassment, employment discrimination, and wage and hour violations. He has appeared on behalf of employers before state and federal courts as well as administrative agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations Board. Nick represents employers in a broad range of industries, with a specific focus on clients operating in healthcare, hospitality, and retail/restaurant services. For more on Nick, visit https://www.fordharrison.com/NicholasAndrews.
Becky Kalas has represented national employers and small businesses in the retail, hospitality, technology, manufacturing and healthcare industries, among others, in labor and employment related matters in the courts, in arbitrations, and in government agency proceedings at the federal, state and local level. She has defended employers against lawsuits involving claims of discrimination and harassment under federal, state and local equal opportunity and civil rights laws. She also handles state tort claims such as defamation, tortious interference, and retaliatory discharge; and disputes—including class actions—arising from state statutes such as the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act and the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act. Becky is also adept at counseling employers to reduce the risk of potential litigation and provides guidance with respect to policy development and implementation, employment contracts including non-compete and other restrictive covenants, and the business and legal ramifications of day-to-day employment decisions. For more on Becky, visit: https://www.fordharrison.com/BeckyKalas.
Tom Szymanski’s legal practice ranges from proactive counseling to litigation in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies. As the go-to counsel for executives, in-house counsel, and human resources professionals, Tom advises on all labor and employment matters, including equal opportunity practices and policies, wage and hour issues, vacation and sick leave, family and medical leave, and accommodations. Tom represents global, national, and local clients throughout the country in federal and state courts, arbitrations and mediations, and administrative agencies. Also, Tom is Co-Chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Committee and was named Tomorrow’s Leaders by International Employment Lawyer.