(September 29, 2020) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has appointed Shareholders Emily T. Patajo (Los Angeles-Century City) and Theodore A. Schroeder (Pittsburgh) as co-chairs of its award-winning Career Advocacy Program (CAP).
“We look forward to having Emily and Ted lead this program. They have been active members within CAP, and we are confident they will continue to expand and elevate the success of one of the firm’s signature inclusion and diversity initiatives,” said Tom Bender and Jeremy Roth, co-managing directors of Littler, in a joint statement. “CAP is among the many programs at Littler that provide our diverse attorneys with individual career growth and professional development opportunities, while cultivating talent to make us a better and stronger firm.”
A cornerstone of Littler’s sponsorship and mentorship efforts, CAP focuses on rising diverse associates (Protégés) and pairs them with shareholder Advocates and client Champions who encourage their career growth. The goals of the program are to advance talented diverse associates, ensure they have access to the experiences and opportunities that will help them reach their full potential and provide a mechanism for a broad group of leaders to foster the development of diverse talent. Since its inception, CAP has been a tremendous success – from 2015 to 2020, Protégés have represented on average 28% and up to 40% of the new shareholder classes.
Patajo joined CAP as an associate Protégé in 2012 and was promoted to shareholder in 2016. She continues to be involved with the program as a promoted Protégé. Patajo is also active in the firm’s ‘Ohana affinity group and co-chair of Littler’s Alternative Dispute Resolution practice group. In her practice at the firm, Patajo represents employers in high-value employment matters in state and federal courts and in binding arbitration. She is routinely involved in the risk assessment and defense of matters involving claims of wrongful termination and unlawful discrimination and harassment.
Schroeder has been a shareholder Advocate since 2014. Additionally, he serves as the office managing shareholder of the Pittsburgh office and is co-chair of Littler’s Associates Committee, which advocates for associate issues related to performance and training. In his litigation practice at the firm, Schroeder represents employers in both single-plaintiff and class action employment disputes. He has litigated cases through trial in the jury, nonjury and employment arbitration settings and also handles matters requiring emergency injunctive relief.
Littler’s innovative inclusion and diversity programs and initiatives, including CAP, have earned numerous recognitions, including the 2020 California Minority Counsel Program Drucilla Stender Ramey Majority-Owned Law Firm Award, the 2020 Law Firm Diversity Award from the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, and for the 11th time, Littler was named one of the “Best Law Firms for Women” by Working Mother magazine. A full list of the firm’s accolades can be found here.
About Littler
With more than 1,500 labor and employment attorneys in offices around the world, Littler provides workplace solutions that are local, everywhere. Our diverse global team and proprietary technology foster a culture that celebrates original thinking, delivering groundbreaking innovation that prepares employers for what’s happening today, and what’s likely to happen tomorrow.
