Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is expanding its presence to Western New York with the addition of Richard (Rick) Braden, who joins as shareholder in the firm’s New York office and is based out of Buffalo. Braden joins Ogletree Deakins from Goldberg Segalla, where he was a partner.
For nearly three decades, Braden has served as a trusted advisor to businesses in a wide variety of matters related to commercial litigation and employment law. His extensive litigation experience includes representing employers in employment discrimination lawsuits, employee benefits litigation, and complex commercial cases before administrative agencies and in state and federal courts. Braden has successfully tried numerous cases involving the protection of intellectual property, contract disputes, breach of fiduciary duty claims, and unfair competition and trade secret matters.
“Employment litigation is on the rise in New York, so establishing a presence in Buffalo with an established trial attorney like Rick is a natural response to client demand,” said John Gerak, Managing Director of Ogletree Deakins. “Rick’s deep experience and expansive knowledge of both New York’s employment law landscape and business markets make him an invaluable asset. I am confident he will deliver exceptional results for our clients.”
Braden regularly counsels employers in many industries, including hospitality, manufacturing, and construction, on all aspects of the employment relationship. He helps with the hiring, discipline, promotion, and discharge of employees; drafting employee handbooks, policies, procedures, and separation/severance agreements; and analyzing wage and hour issues.
In addition to his legal prowess, Braden serves in prominent roles in the legal community, including as a former member of the Employment and Labor Law Steering Committee of the Defense Research Institute. He is also a former Employment and Labor group leader with the USLAW Network. Braden has written extensively and made presentations on employment law issues, such as the fundamentals of hiring and firing and the proper planning and implementation of reductions in force, among other topics. Braden earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School and his B.A., cum laude, from the State University of New York at Albany.