HOUSTON/PHILADELPHIA (June 2, 2017) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has appointed new co-chairs for two of the firm’s growing practice groups. Shareholder Danielle K. Herring (Houston) will serve with Shareholder Wes Stockard (Atlanta) to lead the ERISA and Benefit Plan Litigation Practice Group. Additionally, Shareholder Thomas Benjamin “Ben” Huggett (Philadelphia) will join Shareholder Steve McCown (Austin) as co-chair of the Workplace Safety and Health Practice Group.
“Danielle and Ben have notable experience in their respective areas, and we look forward to their contributions as we continue to expand the firm’s offerings in the ERISA and Benefit Plan Litigation and Workplace Safety and Health Practice Groups,” Tom Bender and Jeremy Roth, co-managing directors of Littler, said in a joint statement.
The ERISA and Benefit Plan Litigation practice comprises attorneys who have the knowledge and geographic presence to deliver solutions to any ERISA or other employee benefits litigation issue. The firm’s group of litigators represent plan sponsors, fiduciaries and service providers before courts in all jurisdictions, including the U.S. Supreme Court.
Herring’s ERISA litigation experience focuses on benefit denial, fiduciary breach and civil penalties claims filed under ERISA, as well as related state law claim defense. Her practice also includes defense of a variety of employment litigation matters in federal and state courts across the country, as well as client advice and counseling. Further, Herring represents employers before administrative agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Texas Workforce Commission, the Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
In addition to her role as co-chair, Herring is a member of the Labor & Employment Section of the Houston Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Herring also serves as the firm’s Women’s Leadership Initiative liaison for the Houston office and is active in the firm’s Asian, South Asian and Pacific Islander-American affinity group (‘Ohana). She has been named a Top Lawyer by Houstonia magazine, as well as a Rising Star by Texas Super Lawyers and Texas Monthly magazine. She received her J.D. from Baylor University School of Law and her B.A., with honors, from Baylor University.
Littler attorneys in the Workplace Safety and Health practice assist employers with a variety of compliance regulations, policies and interpretation requirements, while protecting them from potential penalties. These attorneys provide guidance in situations involving workplace violence, infectious diseases, substance abuse and testing. The firm also has extensive training and education programs available to provide companies with the tools to maintain a safe workplace that complies with applicable regulations and avoids liability.
Huggett focuses his practice exclusively on representing management in all aspects of labor and employment law and has extensive experience with litigation arising under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Act. He has defended clients in multiple states against OSHA inspections and citations before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission and OSHA state plans. In addition, Huggett has served as lead negotiator with unions for first contract, and successor collective bargaining agreements, and has negotiated decision and effects-bargaining issues for plant operations and closings.
Huggett is recognized for his knowledge of workplace safety issues and is frequently quoted in the press on issues related to OSHA compliance and the implementation of workplace safety policies. In addition to his appointment as co-chair, Huggett is also a member of the Labor and Employment Section and the Occupational Safety and Health Committee for the American Bar Association. He received his J.D., cum laude, from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law and his B.A. from Emory University.
About Littler
Littler is the largest global employment and labor law practice, with more than 1,300 attorneys in over 75 offices worldwide. Littler represents management in all aspects of employment and labor law and serves as a single-source solution provider to the global employer community. Consistently recognized in the industry as a leading and innovative law practice, Littler has been litigating, mediating and negotiating some of the most influential employment law cases and labor contracts on record for 75 years. Littler Global is the collective trade name for an international legal practice, the practicing member entities of which are separate and distinct professional firms.
