30 August 2022. Buchalter is pleased to announce its new Franchise Law Group, and welcome: Thomas M. O’Connell who joins as a Shareholder and Chair of the Franchise Law group in San Diego, Jennifer Misetich also joins as a Shareholder in the Firm’s Los Angeles office, and Natalie Bryans joins in Los Angeles. All are members of the Firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group, and were formerly with Best Best & Krieger.
“Tom, Jennifer, and Natalie are all highly talented litigators with a depth of industry knowledge perfect for the launch of our new Franchise Law Group,” said Adam Bass, President and Chief Executive Officer of Buchalter. “Each of them brings an expertise that is particularly valuable to the Firm and our clients.”
As Chair of the Firm’s Franchise Law Industry Group, O’Connell focuses his practice on the registration, renewal, and organizational fundamentals of franchisors. Combining his experience as a former business owner and current litigator, he provides the end-to-end services franchisors and franchisees need to help them achieve their goals.
O’Connell’s Labor and Employment practice broadly encompasses all aspects and stages of litigation for both private and public clients.
“I am thrilled to be joining Buchalter and establish the Franchise Law group,” said O’Connell. “The full-service resources the Firm offers provides a unique and ample opportunity to grow my practice alongside the launch of the industry group.”
A seasoned civil litigator, Misetich provides strategic counsel on all stages of complex labor and employment matters, including class actions, wage and hour disputes, and discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination lawsuits. She provides advice and counseling on lawsuit prevention and employment law compliance for her private and public employer clients. She accomplishes this by providing guidance on all facets of employment law including employee handbooks, policies and procedures, high-risk terminations, and severance/release agreements.
“Buchalter is the perfect fit to help facilitate providing high-quality counsel to my clients,” added Misetich. “I am excited to introduce my clients to, and be working alongside such talented attorneys.”
Bryans represents both public and private employers in litigation matters involving discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination claims. In addition, she advises employers on a wide range of workplace issues including personnel policies and employee handbooks, discipline, terminations, protected employment classes, and compliance with state and federal employment laws.
“It has been our goal of ours to add a Franchise Law group to Buchalter’s existing capabilities,” added Bass. “We are excited for their continued expansion and growth.”
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