SAN FRANCISCO – Global law firm Reed Smith has announced the addition of two partners from Polsinelli to its Labor & Employment practice in San Francisco. Michele Haydel Gehrke was formerly chair of Polsinelli’s Traditional Labor Relations Practice. She maintains a dual-practice focus on labor and employment matters on behalf of management. Anne Cherry Barnett ‘s practice focuses on employment, with an emphasis on assisting clients with navigating the complexities of California state and federal employment laws and regulations.
“Michele and Anne bring us an outstanding record of success representing clients in U.S. and California labor and employment law matters,” said Mark Temple, global leader of Reed Smith’s Labor & Employment practice. “Working with clients of all sizes across a range of sectors, they have proven track records in high-value litigation, and providing advice and counsel that helps clients stay abreast of constantly changing labor and employment laws to avoid costly disputes.”
Gehrke’s practice includes defending wage and hour class actions and other types of employment claims, such as wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. Gehrke also handles traditional labor matters, including defending airlines in claims brought under the Railway Labor Act, and other employers in claims under the National Labor Relations Act. Her counseling experience extends to matters involving workplace investigations, wage and hour audits, and advising on terminations, leaves of absence, and other compliance matters.
“I am excited to become part of Reed Smith’s Labor & Employment practice,” said Gehrke. “Its national scope, strong California presence, reputation for exceptional client service, and a supportive culture provides an excellent platform for me to expand my practice, as well as to enhance the services and capabilities available to my current clients.”
A 2001 graduate of Hastings College of the Law at the University of California, Gehrke was honored as a Top Labor & Employment Litigator by Benchmark Litigation in 2018, and as one of the San Francisco Daily Journal’s 2018 “Leading Labor and Employment Lawyers in California.” In 2017, she was recognized as a “Top Litigator” by Benchmark Litigation and as a 2017 “Top Woman Lawyer” by the San Francisco Daily Journal. In 2016, Gehrke was selected as a “Top Litigator Under 40” by Benchmark Litigation. Before joining Polsinelli in 2015, she was counsel at Seyfarth Shaw in San Francisco. Prior to that, she was an associate at Thelen and Sheppard Mullin.
Barnett is a 2003 graduate of the University of San Francisco School of Law, where she was a Law Merit Scholar. Her practice includes defending complex wage and hour class actions, and she frequently speaks and writes on cutting-edge wage and hour topics. Barnett also defends employers in discrimination, harassment and retaliation cases, as well as other matters, including alleged California Labor Code violations, Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act matters, breach of contract, and worker misclassification issues. She regularly provides counsel to employers on various compliance issues, including wage and hour laws, conducting wage and hour audits, advising employers on independent contractor status, leaves of absence, accommodations, workplace investigations, and other employment laws. She also provides employment due diligence review in corporate transactions, and has worked with clients to develop scalable employment policies to handle employment matters and claims. She is a pro bono panel attorney for San Francisco Legal Services for Children, and a member of the Women Lawyers Committee at the University of San Francisco School of Law.
“Reed Smith’s reputation as a labor and employment powerhouse was a significant factor in attracting us to the firm,” said Barnett. “The collegial environment we have experienced so far mirrors the collaborative practice Michele and I have developed to provide our clients with comprehensive, cohesive and responsive service.”
The arrival of Gehrke and Barnett adds further depth to Reed Smith’s national Labor & Employment bench as the firm continues to enhance its national practice. Thomas J. Posey joined the Chicago office in mid-October from Faegre Baker Daniels, bolstering the firm’s traditional labor law presence and reputation. In addition, Jill Vorobiev joined as a partner and Courtney Ofosou joined as a senior associate in Chicago from Sheppard Mullin earlier in the year.
“Michele and Anne are welcome additions to this office and to the firm,” said David A. Thompson, head of Reed Smith’s San Francisco office. “We look forward to working with them and having our clients benefit from their experience and leadership in the labor and employment arena.”