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Terry J. Smith and Robert R. Duda Jr. Bring Boutique Labor & Employment Practice to Faegre Baker Daniels in Chicago

By: Faegre Baker & Daniels |  6 Shares     117 Reads

March 27, 2014 // Franchising.com // Chicago - Terry J. Smith and Robert R. Duda Jr., experienced litigators in labor and employment matters, have joined Faegre Baker Daniels as partner and counsel, respectively, in the firm's Chicago office. Both join from Smith O'Callaghan & White, a well-regarded boutique labor and employment firm in Chicago that Smith founded and managed for the past 14 years.

"We are delighted that Terry and Bob have joined FaegreBD's Chicago office," said Rick Michaels, FaegreBD's Chicago office leader. "Their very deep experience in representing employers and Terry's success in building his own boutique practice bolsters our strength in labor and employment law in Chicago and continues our efforts to expand our Chicago office by attracting top-notch, experienced talent."

Smith has spent the last 26 years practicing law in Chicago and brings an extensive background in all aspects of labor and employment law and related litigation. He has represented employers throughout the United States in litigation involving labor and employment matters in federal and state courts, administrative agencies, arbitration and mediation. He also has extensive experience in litigation involving unfair competition, non-competes, theft of confidential information, employee pirating, breach of fiduciary duty and trade secrets. Several of his cases have set precedent in labor and employment law. In addition to representing employers in litigation throughout the country, Smith provides them with labor and employment counsel on avoidance of employee claims involving the full range of workplace issues.

Smith's prior labor and employment boutique represented a number of substantial Chicago-based companies, was recognized among "Go-To Law Firms" for corporate counsel and received national recognition from BTI Consulting Group as a "best-in-class" boutique firm providing exemplary client focus and service. Smith O'Callaghan & White is closing with Smith and Duda's move to FaegreBD. Before founding his own firm, Smith was a partner with Schiff Hardin LLP in Chicago and began his career with Foley & Lardner in Milwaukee.

Smith has been named to Illinois Super Lawyers for eight consecutive years, every year since 2007. He earned his J.D. from Cornell Law School in 1984, after earning his bachelor's degree, magna cum laude, from Lawrence University in 1981.

Duda brings 14 years of experience in labor and employment law, with an expertise in handling complex departing employee litigation. He had been with Smith O'Callaghan & White since its inception. Duda, who represents employers in federal and state courts in employment-related litigation, has been named a Rising Star in Employment Law by Illinois Super Lawyers from 2011-14. He frequently litigates cases involving departing employees, including misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of employment contracts, breach of fiduciary duty, enforcement of non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, interference with customer relationships, employment-related torts and misconduct, workplace defamation, and unfair competition.

Duda also provides counsel to employers to protect their interests through the use and enforcement of restrictive covenants and by responding to employee raiding and pirating attempts. Additionally, Duda represents employers in defense of discrimination and harassment charges in federal and state administrative agency proceedings.

Duda graduated from DePaul University College of Law in 1999 and the University of Dayton in 1996.

SOURCE Faegre Baker Daniels

Media Contact:

Andrea Andrews
+1 312 212 2263
andrea.andrews@FaegreBD.com

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