Fisher Phillips Opens Los Angeles Office To Accommodate Growth

LOS ANGELES, LA (January 25, 2011) - Fisher Phillips announced it has opened a new office in Los Angeles its 24th location and fourth office in California. The new office will accommodate Fisher Phillips' continued growth, and will be led by Regional Managing Partner Tamara I. Devitt, who previously served as a partner in the firm's Irvine, Calif. office. Partner Lonnie Giamela and associate Annie Markarian, both from the Irvine office, also join Devitt in Los Angeles.

"After a 20-year history of working with clients throughout Southern California, we are excited to expand Fisher Phillips officially into Los Angeles, where we will be able to better serve local companies with our value-focused employment law practice," said Devitt. "Our partners have real world experience as business owners, human resource practitioners and entrepreneurs providing a unique perspective that allows our clients to benefit from a focused, businesslike approach to workplace legal issues." Devitt added that the firm has aggressive growth plans for the Los Angeles office.

Devitt's practice focuses on representing employers against claims of discrimination, unlawful harassment, wrongful termination, unfair business practices and wage and hour related issues, including class actions and complex litigation. Devitt advises and counsels employers regarding various aspects of the employment process, including hiring, discipline and termination practices, developing personnel policies and procedures and drafting employment agreements. She regularly conducts management training and lectures on labor and employment issues. Prior to joining the firm, Devitt held positions in human resources for nine years in the publishing industry.

Giamela counsels employers on issues including fair employment matters, medical leaves, wage/hour laws, independent contractor tax issues and the enforceability of arbitration agreements. He has represented clients before governmental agencies, such as the Employment Development Department and the Department of Labor Standards Enforcement, as well as state, federal and appellate courts. Prior to joining the firm, Giamela worked for United States Congressman James E. Rogan, the Office of Legislative and International Affairs at the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and the Fox News Channel. He also has an entrepreneurial and business ownership background.

Markarian practices in all areas of labor and employment law with a primary emphasis on litigation. Prior to joining Fisher Phillips, she was an associate at a Los Angeles based law firm where she was involved in a wide variety of civil matters, including various class actions and business disputes. While in law school, Markarian clerked for Judge Robert M. Takasugi in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, was a competitor in the ABA Negotiation Competition, and a Sayre McNeil Scholar.

The Fisher Phillips Los Angeles office is located at 444 S. Flower, Suite 1590. The firm's expansion comes just after the Irvine office celebrated its 20th anniversary.