WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 28, 2010) – Littler Mendelson, P.C. (Littler), the nation's largest employment and labor law firm representing management, announced today the addition of Richard W. Black, who specializes in class action defense litigation, to its Washington, D.C., office. Black will be a shareholder with the firm's class action defense practice group.

Black was previously a senior attorney in Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP's labor and employment practice, and was a member of the firm's complex employment litigation team. He specializes in defending management in complex employment litigation matters, including putative class actions involving employment discrimination and wage and hour disputes as well as breach of fiduciary duty issues under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). In these actions, Black has represented defendants in a variety of industries, including retail, technology and financial services.

He has specific expertise in class certification issues under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23, as well as in dealing with complex expert issues, most notably statistical analysis and "social science" testimony in employment discrimination matters.

"Rich is a fabulous addition to the firm," said Nancy N. Delogu, office managing shareholder of Littler's Washington, D.C. office. "He has outstanding experience defending class action discrimination and ERISA class claims. We were so impressed by Rich's past work with our shareholders that we seized the earliest opportunity to encourage Rich to come aboard."

Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Black was an associate in private practice, advising and defending corporate clients in a wide range of employment matters. In addition, early in his career, he represented plaintiffs, as well as defended corporate clients, before administrative agencies and in single plaintiff and class action/pattern or practice collective actions.

Black served as a managing editor of the Iowa Law Review and was one of 40 undergraduate Collegiate Scholars at The University of Iowa.

"I am pleased to be continuing my career at Littler," said Black. "I look forward to being an active member in the firm's class action defense group, as well as joining my new colleagues—many of whom I have had the pleasure of knowing previously—in providing our clients with the best in labor and employment representation."

Black received his J.D. from The University of Iowa College of Law with distinction and his B.A. from The University of Iowa with high distinction. He is admitted to the bar of the District of Columbia.

About Littler Mendelson

With more than 750 attorneys and 49 offices, Littler Mendelson is the largest U.S.-based law firm exclusively devoted to representing management in employment and labor law matters. As the only U.S. member of the Ius Laboris global alliance, Littler has extensive resources to address the needs of multi-national clients, from navigating international employment laws and labor relations issues to applying corporate policies worldwide. Established in 1942, the Firm has litigated, mediated and negotiated some of the most influential employment law cases and labor contracts on record. For more information, visit littler.com.