Atlanta -- Ford & Harrison LLP, a national labor and employment law firm with 18 offices nationwide, and Kastner Westman & Wilkins, LLC, a boutique labor and employment law firm based in Ohio, today announced the formation of an "of counsel" affiliate relationship. With this affiliation, the two firms are able to provide their respective clients the highest level of quality service in a broader range of locations and service areas.
Headquartered in the greater Akron/Cleveland area, Kastner Westman & Wilkins is able to serve Ford & Harrison's clients with operations in Ohio as well as in neighboring states. The firm's location in Ohio complements Ford & Harrison's existing offices in the Midwest in Minneapolis and Chicago. And, Ford & Harrison's national presence and additional capabilities in labor and employment law will be a valuable resource to clients of Kastner Westman and Wilkins.
"A number of Ford & Harrison attorneys and offices have worked with Kastner Westman & Wilkins in the past and we are very excited about this relationship," said Herbert E. Gerson, co- managing partner of Ford & Harrison. "Our firm is committed to growing in geographic areas that are important to our clients. This relationship gives our firm a presence in Ohio and allows us to better serve our clients that have significant operations in the state."
"Kastner Westman & Wilkins views the affiliation with Ford & Harrison as a way to grow our practice without compromising our independent status or the service model we've worked so hard to develop over the past 11 years," said James P. Wilkins, shareholder, Kastner Westman & Wilkins. "The move makes us stronger, giving us the resources and presence of a larger firm while maintaining the flexibility and service-based focus of a boutique labor and employment firm."
Both firms represent employers of all sizes in areas related to labor and employment law. Ford & Harrison works closely with clients in the airline, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing and retail industries among others. Kastner Westman & Wilkins focuses on manufacturing, education, retail, transportation and technology industries.
About Kastner Westman & Wilkins LLC
Kastner Westman & Wilkins LLC provides management counsel in labor and employment, workers' compensation and employee benefits. From its inception in 2000, Akron/Cleveland-based Kastner Westman & Wilkins has grown into one of the largest labor and employment boutique firms in Ohio. The firm's client roster includes Fortune 500 companies, local institutional employers, local governments and many respected small and mid-size businesses in Northeast Ohio.