Ford & Harrison LLP, a national labor and employment law firm, announced today the opening of an office in Short Hills, N.J. with the addition of Salvador P. Simao as partner.  Mr. Simao will spearhead efforts in the firm’s newest office—the New Jersey office is the firm’s twenty-second location.

Mr. Simao focuses his practice on employment law, with an emphasis on compliance and litigation matters pertaining to wage and hour law. As part of his practice, he represents Fortune 500 companies in a wide range of employment law matters including: advising on the restructuring of payroll and time/attendance systems; assisting government contractors in avoiding debarment; conducting internal audits; implementing compliance auditing tools; and negotiating settlements with both state Departments of Labor and the U.S. Department of Labor. 

“We are pleased to have an attorney as highly regarded as Sal, join the firm,” commented Herbert Gerson, Ford & Harrison’s co- managing partner.”  Aside from his outstanding reputation, he possesses strong wage and hour experience and superb labor and employment law expertise.  His arrival and the opening of our Short Hills office further strengthen the firm’s ability to provide comprehensive services to our clients in New Jersey and throughout the region.” 

“I am very excited about joining a firm with such an established labor and employment practice and being part of its expansion efforts in New Jersey,” commented Mr. Simao. “Ford & Harrison’s reputation as well as extensive resources nationwide will enhance my ability to serve clients within the state and beyond.” 

Prior to joining Ford & Harrison, Mr. Simao was a partner with McCarter & English and previously a shareholder with Littler Mendelson.  Mr. Simao also spent part of his career at the United States Department of Labor (DOL), where he held the positions of Trial Attorney, Office of the Solicitor, at both the Plan Benefit Securities Division and the Office of the New York Regional Solicitor.  While at the DOL, he litigated several novel and high profile wage and hour and ERISA matters.  During his tenure, he  was the youngest attorney at the time to win the DOL’s Attorney of the Year award and was also recognized with several Secretary Exceptional Achievement Awards.  Mr. Simao received his J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law in 1997.