Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart
American multinational law firm
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC (abbreviated as Ogletree Deakins)[1] is an American multinational law firm specializing in labor and employment law.[2]
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia |
|---|---|
| No. of offices | 60 |
| No. of attorneys | 1,100+ |
| Major practice areas | Labor and employment law |
| Revenue |  US$650.6 million (2025) |
| Date founded | 1977 |
| Founder | Peter Nash Lewis Smoak Homer Deakins J. Frank Ogletree J. Hamilton Stewart |
| Company type | Professional corporation |
| Website | ogletree.com |
Founded on February 14, 1977,[3][4] Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest law firms in the world by revenue.[3][5] Ogletree Deakins is the second-largest labor and employment firm in the United States.[4]
History and practice
Founded in 1977, the firm began as a regional firm operating in the Southeastern United States before gradually expanding domestically. The firm opened its first international office in Berlin, Germany in 2012.[3]
Trade unions
Eastern Air Lines
The firm advised the now-defunct Eastern Air Lines on negotiations with trade unions during strikes by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Transport Workers Union of America, and the Airline Pilots Association.[3] Eastern Airlines didn't follow the advice, cracking down on the unions and ultimately leading to the bankruptcy and liquidation of Eastern Airlines.[6]
Nissan
Ogletree Deakins advised Nissan during prolonged unionization efforts by United Auto Workers from 1989 to 2001.[3][7]
Racial discrimination
Ogletree Deakins represents Hillcrest Country Club in an ongoing [8] lawsuit alleging racial discrimination.[9] Matthew Winnick, son of deceased billionaire Gary Winnick, alleges he was denied entrance to the club due to his wife's Hispanic heritage.[9][10] Ogletree attorney Lyne Richardson, representing Hillcrest, denies the allegations, calling them "entirely without merit."[9]
Controversies
Union busting
The firm has been accused of union busting on behalf of its multinational clients.[11][12][13] The American Civil Liberties Union hired Ogletree Deakins in 2020 to advise when its Kansas affiliate attempted to unionize, causing uproar among the advocacy group's supporters.[13] Ogletree denies that the firm busts unions.[13]
Controversial longtime Sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, Joe Arpaio has called Ogletree his "favorite law firm."[13]