Phoenix, AZ (August 15, 2022) – Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, P.L.C., a leading Phoenix-based law firm, is proud to announce that the Firm’s Labor and Employment and Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation practice groups have been ranked in the 2022 edition of Chambers USA. Attorney John J. Balitis, Chair of the Firm’s Labor and Employment practice group, was also ranked as a top Labor and Employment lawyer in Arizona for his eighth consecutive year. In addition, Jennings Strouss attorney Albert “Bert” Acken was ranked in the Arizona practice area of Environmental Law for his ninth consecutive year, and attorney Keith F. Overholt was ranked in the Arizona practice area of Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation. Chambers USA ranks the top lawyers and law firms across the United States.

“I am delighted to share this news; it is a privilege to work with John, Bert, Keith, our Labor and Employment and Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation teams,” said Managing Attorney Jeffrey D. Gardner. “Our clients are our first priority, and we are honored to be ranked in the 2022 Chambers USA Guide as it strongly reflects client feedback and underscores our commitment to providing the very highest quality legal services.”

Jennings Strouss’ management-oriented Labor and Employment practice provides full-service support to both public and private employers as they navigate the ever-changing regulatory landscape. Whether looking to improve compliance and reduce risk or address current claims, the Jennings Strouss team excels. Our attorneys regularly provide advice and other assistance including arbitration and mediation; COVID-19-related employment issues; discrimination and wrongful discharge claims; employee compensation programs and benefits plans; employee handbooks and policies; employee investigations; federal and state leave compliance; traditional labor issues; training; and wage and hour litigation.

“It is an amazing honor to be recognized both individually and as a team by Chambers USA,” said Balitis. “The intense vetting and peer review that is involved in the Chambers’ process shows how much we care for our clients.”

Jennings Strouss provides clients with practical and timely advice in the dynamic and highly regulated field of compensation and benefits relating to directors, managers, and employees. Our clients include employers of all sizes in a variety of industries, as well as plan fiduciaries, utilizing the experienced attorneys of Jennings Strouss to regularly assist in the creation and administration of a wide variety of compensation and benefits programs at all levels of an organization. They address issues arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974, the Internal Revenue Code, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) of 1985, and other laws affecting employee benefits.

A regular practice of our attorneys is advising private and public companies on all aspects of executive compensation including drafting, negotiating, and administering executive employment, severance, change-in-control, and similar agreements. Additionally, Jennings Strouss attorneys assist with the creation of compensation plans, such as stock options, restricted stock, annual bonus, and long-term incentive compensation programs. Our attorneys utilize their high-level experience in creating compensation plans for directors or other managers of an enterprise, including annual and deferred compensation programs, charitable awards programs, and non-qualified director retirement programs. They also represent clients in the creation and administration of employee policies, such as employee handbooks, leave policies, compliance with employment laws, and anti-discrimination and harassment requirements.

“It is a great honor to be recognized by Chambers USA,” said Overholt. “At Jennings Strouss we work extremely hard to provide the best services to our clients. I truly appreciate the support from my clients”.

Bert Acken added, “I am grateful to be ranked by Chambers USA for the ninth year and I appreciate the recognition from my clients, colleagues, and peers.”

Chambers USA is published by London-based Chambers & Partners, which has been producing legal directories for more than 20 years. Chambers USA bases its selections on interviews with a range of lawyers and their clients around the country. The rankings are based on qualities including technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other categories most valued by clients.