Ogletree Adds Two Litigators for LA Employers
Employers in Los Angeles facing wage, discrimination, and PAGA claims gain two additional defense shareholders.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Employment
Ogletree Deakins has added Timothy Pico and Brett Markson as shareholders in its Los Angeles employment litigation practice, the firm announced Tuesday. Both lawyers represent employers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, and wage-and-hour disputes, which affects employers that face workplace claims in Southern California.
Why it matters
Employers in Los Angeles face a dense set of employment claims, including suits under California's Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). Adding litigators who handle single-plaintiff, class, and collective actions signals the firm is building capacity in that defense work. Pico joins from Jackson, which means the move also shifts where his client-facing expertise sits.
The announcement names two new shareholders in the Los Angeles employment litigation practice, with no staffing totals or case volumes disclosed. The source provides no revenue, headcount, or matter-count comparators for the practice.
The players
Ogletree Deakins
A national management-side employment and labor law firm that represents employers in workplace litigation and counseling.
Jackson
The firm Timothy Pico left to join Ogletree Deakins.
The details
Pico and Markson both represent employers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage-and-hour disputes. Pico also provides preventive advice on workplace issues, while Markson handles leave and accommodation, whistleblower, privacy, and trade secret matters. Their combined practice covers both defense of active claims and advisory work aimed at reducing exposure before a dispute begins.
Timeline
Announced Tuesday, November 4, 2026.
Market Landscape
Management-side employment firms in California compete on their ability to defend PAGA and class actions alongside single-plaintiff claims. Adding litigators who cover both areas reflects how defense practices are being built around that combined docket.
Employers in Los Angeles facing wrongful termination, wage-and-hour, or PAGA claims now have two additional defense litigators at Ogletree Deakins to consider. Operators should review their own counsel relationships and workplace-claim exposure with qualified employment counsel.
The takeaway
Track whether the firm's Los Angeles practice takes on a larger share of PAGA and class-action defense work in coming quarters. Employers reviewing counsel options should route specific legal questions to a qualified employment attorney.
Further reading
For more on how legal hiring and workforce shifts affect local employers, see Employment.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Bloomberglaw.
