FordHarrison LLP, one of the country’s largest management-side labor and employment law firms, is pleased to announce that Michael (Mike) C. Harrington and Elizabeth (Beth) M. Smith from LeClairRyan have joined the firm’s Hartford office. Mike joins as a partner and Beth joins as counsel.
“Mike and Beth are extremely accomplished attorneys within employment law and their dedication to delivering exceptional client service make them wonderful additions to the team. We cannot wait to see the phenomenal work they will do with the firm,” said Johanna Zelman, Office Managing Partner of the firm’s Hartford office.
Mike Harrington focuses his practice on providing legal guidance to public and private sector employers in managing all aspects of the employment relationship. Mike litigates cases in state and federal courts and has argued numerous cases before the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the Connecticut Appellate Court, and the Connecticut Supreme Court. He also frequently appears before the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights & Opportunities, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Connecticut Employment Security Division, the Connecticut Workers' Compensation Commission, the state and federal Departments of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, the State Labor Board, the Freedom of Information Commission, and OSHA/ConnOSHA. Mike's clients operate in a wide variety of industries including retail, healthcare, energy, and manufacturing. He has also represented political parties and candidates in various election matters. Mike is also adept in handling arbitrations and mediations, having represented employers in grievance and interest arbitrations before the State Board of Mediation and Arbitration and before arbitrators of the American Arbitrator Association.
“I am excited to join Ford Harrison, and be part of a firm with such high caliber labor and employment lawyers,” said Mike.
Beth Smith has represented her clients in a full range of legal issues before administrative agencies, arbitrators, and in state and federal courts. In addition to handling litigation and administrative charges, she regularly provides guidance to public and private employers on a variety of issues such as employment agreements, employee discipline and termination, layoffs, leaves of absence, and wage and hour law. She also has experience handling discrimination claims, conducting internal investigations, and negotiating executive contracts for employers. Beth's legal experience is not limited to private practice, as she recently served as Associate General Counsel for Labor & Employment for a large health system and as General Counsel for a mid-sized home care agency, managing litigation matters and outside counsel, among other responsibilities.
“I am excited to take my talents over to FordHarrison and continue to grow in my practice with such a remarkable firm,” said Beth.