Top national law firm Akerman today announced the continued growth of its Los Angeles office with the addition of Labor and Employment Partner Emily Patajo, who joins from Epstein Becker & Green.

Patajo focuses her practice on employment litigation matters in state and federal courts and in binding arbitration. She represents employers in various industries, including grocery, retail, technology, and healthcare. She is routinely involved in the risk assessment and defense of matters involving claims of wrongful termination and unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in violation of California law. Clients also turn to Patajo to advise them on wage and hour and class action cases.

In addition to her litigation practice, Patajo regularly provides strategic advice to clients navigating administrative matters and counseling employers on charges and complaints pending before state agencies, including the California Civil Rights Department and the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. Human resources and employee relations departments rely on Patajo to advise on personnel management issues, including how to conduct investigations and evaluate requests for reasonable accommodations.

“We are fortunate to have Emily join our national labor and employment team,” said Labor and Employment Practice Group Chair Eric Gordon. “Her clients have long valued her skills at navigating complex litigation challenges while counseling them through the everchanging workplace landscape. She understands the unique legal challenges California employers face, including the full spectrum of wage and hour issues.”

Led by Office Managing Partner Michael Weiss, Los Angeles includes a multidisciplinary team of litigation, regulatory compliance, and transactional lawyers with experience in numerous client sectors including commercial real estate, land use, financial services, corporate M&A and private equity, labor and employment, intellectual property, retail, and hospitality, among many others.

“Los Angeles continues to be a vital market for our clients, and we are proud of the steady and strategic growth we have achieved in recent years to expand our capabilities with the addition of talented lawyers like Emily,” said Weiss.