Baker Hostetler announced today that Dennis P. Duffy has joined the firm’s Employment and Labor Group as Partner in its Houston office. He comes to Baker Hostetler from Baker Botts LLP where he was Chair of the Labor and Employment practice.

In his practice, Duffy represents management in all aspects of labor and employment law, including defending allegations of discrimination, unfair labor practices, wage and hour, whistleblowing complaints and wrongful discharge. He has considerable strategic and advisory legal experience in handling global corporate human resources issues, providing counsel and training on how to prevent and manage workplace legal issues, and advising organizations on ways to avoid escalation and litigation. Duffy also has extensive experience in handling acquisition and divestiture employment issues, including due diligence, pre-merger planning and post-merger integration issues. He also brings significant experience handling privacy and data breach issues.

Previously, Duffy was vice president and associate general counsel for labor and employment for Time Warner Inc. Prior to that, he served as general counsel of the University of Houston System and was the first general counsel of the U.S. Office of Compliance, which is responsible for administering and enforcing the Congressional Accountability Act. The Act applies various civil rights, labor and workplace safety and health laws to the U.S. Congress and its associated agencies. Earlier in his career, Duffy taught at the University of Houston Law Center and the University of Virginia.

Among his many industry recognitions, Duffy is listed in the 2012 Chambers USA Guide: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America every year since 2009, was named by Human Resource Executive to its list of “The Ten Most Powerful Employment Attorneys in America” in 2008 and its “Most Powerful Employment Attorneys” list every year since 2009, and has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer every year since 2008. Duffy received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.

“Labor and Employment has been a historic strength at Baker Hostetler and Dennis is an outstanding addition to our team,” said Ronald Linville, chair of Baker Hostetler’s National Employment and Labor Group. “His extensive experience in the field of labor and employee relations broadens and deepens our capabilities and enhances the counsel we deliver to our clients.”

“Dennis is a tremendous addition to our office here in Houston,” said Lisa Pennington, Managing Partner of Baker Hostetler’s Houston office. “His knowledge, experience and reputation further strengthen our already strong Employment and Labor Group in Houston and across the country.”

“I look forward to working with Lisa and everyone in the Houston office and across the firm as we work to expand the reach of Baker Hostetler’s nationally recognized Employment and Labor practice,” said Duffy.

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