DALLAS – Ford & Harrison LLP, a national labor and employment law firm, is pleased to announce that Ralph J. Zatzkis will be joining the firm’s Dallas office as a partner and Buena Vista Lyons will be joining as senior counsel. Zatzkis was previously a senior partner with Fisher & Phillips LLP and Lyons was previously counsel with Andrews Kurth LLP.
“We are very excited these two incredibly talented attorneys will be joining our office,” said Michael Maslanka, Managing Partner of Ford & Harrison’s Dallas office. “Ralph’s extensive expertise in labor relations and employment, coupled with both attorney’s considerable litigation experience will bolster our local capabilities and enhance our firm’s national practice.”
Ralph Zatzkis counsels employers on a wide range of labor and employment matters. His employment practice focuses on issues relating to non-compete and non-solicitation, Fair Labor Standards Act, employment discrimination and litigation, affirmative action plans and audits, and supervisor training. In addition, Ralph represents employers in collective bargaining, strikes and injunctions, union representation cases, organizing campaigns and unfair labor practice cases.
“In the past few years Ford & Harrison has rapidly become one of the strongest, most significant labor and employment law boutiques in the United States,” Zatzkis said. “In joining Ford & Harrison, I am looking forward to the opportunity to bring my clients a level of service that is second to none.”
Prior to entering private practice, Ralph was a Captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps where he represented the Army's Electronics Command in labor and employment matters. He earned his J.D. from the Louisiana State University Law Center and received an L.L.M in labor law from the New York University School of Law.
Vista Lyons represents employers in multi-state employment litigation matters and counsels management on multi-state and international employment practice issues. Her litigation experience includes defending employers against a wide range of state and federal employment-related claims. She also develops and analyzes preventive measures to minimize the risk of litigation.
“I am very confident that Ford & Harrison’s national scope and commitment to quality client service will significantly benefit my clients.” Lyons said. Adding, “I'm looking forward to joining Ford & Harrison's team here in Dallas, Mike has a strong reputation as both a terrific lawyer and a stand-up guy.”
Lyons earned her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law and her undergraduate degree in economics from Cornell University. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas Employment Law Section, the Dallas Bar Association, the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers and the J. L. Turner Legal Association where she served as President in 2005.