Century City – Sidley Austin LLP is pleased to announce that Maureen Gorsen has joined the firm in Los Angeles as a partner in its Environmental practice. She joins Sidley from Alston & Bird, where she was a partner in the firm’s Environment, Land Use & Natural Resources practice.

Ms. Gorsen has extensive experience defending clients in a wide array of federal and state environmental enforcement actions involving air quality, waste and stormwater, chemical regulation, California’s AB 32 and Proposition 65, product liability, food packaging, and tax and business regulations. She also devotes a significant portion of her practice to regulatory issues, advising clients on environmental, tax, financial, supply chain, and consumer products regulatory matters. Ms. Gorsen also works with clients to develop policies to minimize product liability risk and meet conflict minerals, anti-slavery and human trafficking and sustainability requirements.

Previously, Ms. Gorsen spent more than ten years in three pivotal state government roles: Director of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, General Counsel of the California Environmental Protection Agency, and General Counsel of the California Natural Resources Agency.  These roles provided Ms. Gorsen tremendous breadth in terms of her knowledge of and experience in virtually all aspects of environmental law.

“Maureen’s knowledge of environmental laws is second to none and she will strengthen our offerings in California’s complex state environmental regulatory regime,” said Dan Clivner, managing partner of the greater Los Angeles offices and co-leader of the firm’s global M&A and Private Equity practice. “Our firm’s strong reputation continues to attract top talent like Maureen, and we look forward to tapping into her wealth of experience.”

“Maureen is a fantastic addition to our already deep environmental bench,” added Neal Sullivan, leader of the firm’s global Regulatory and Enforcement practice.  “With Maureen, our environmental practice boasts an industry leading number of former government officials that are recognized for handling the most complicated matters arising under environmental laws.”

With 2,000 lawyers in 20 offices around the globe, Sidley is a premier legal adviser for clients across the spectrum of industries.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (May 3, 2021) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has added Alan L. Merriman as an associate in its New Haven office. Merriman joins Littler from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), where he was a field attorney from 2014 to 2021.

“With nearly a decade of service at the NLRB, Alan is a highly experienced traditional labor lawyer and a strong addition to our team,” said Lori Alexander, Littler’s office managing shareholder in New Haven. “The NLRB is a very impactful agency for employers across the country, particularly in the wake of a new presidential administration, which is why Alan’s deep understanding of the agency will benefit our clients in the Connecticut and New England regions, as well as nationally.”

During his time at the NLRB, Merriman handled hundreds of unfair labor practice charges and representation case investigations involving both petitions and elections. He has managed several unfair labor practice hearings before administrative law judges and has successfully negotiated resolutions to a variety of complex labor matters.

“Littler has built an impressive and talented team of lawyers that can advise employers on the full spectrum of labor law and union-related issues,” Merriman said. “I look forward to working with the team in New Haven, as well as leveraging the vast knowledge and resources of the firm’s Labor Management Relations Practice Group to grow my practice.”

Littler’s Labor Management Relations Practice Group is comprised of attorneys, including several former NLRB attorneys, with deep experience representing management in all aspects of labor relations. The group counsels companies on such issues as lawful union avoidance, managing the myriad issues that arise during union elections, collective bargaining and labor arbitrations. Littler’s attorneys have brought thousands of matters before the NLRB and regularly navigate unfair labor practice charges through investigations, favorable settlements, hearings and appeals.

In addition to his legal practice, Merriman currently serves as a Major, Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer for the National Guard. His duties in that role include serving as Special Victims’ Counsel for service members who report sexual assault and harassment and providing counsel on cyber law and ethics issues. He also regularly advises the Connecticut National Guard command on sexual harassment and assault prevention and response actions.

Merriman is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and was the 2005 Connecticut National Guard Soldier of the Year. He received his J.D. and B.S. from the University of Connecticut.  

About Littler

With more than 1,600 labor and employment attorneys in offices around the world, Littler provides workplace solutions that are local, everywhere. Our diverse 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.