Ogletree Deakins Adds Employment Litigators Timothy Pico and Brett Markson in Los Angeles

The prominent labor and employment law firm Ogletree Deakins has announced the addition of two experienced attorneys to its Los Angeles team. Timothy Pico and Brett Markson have joined the firm as shareholders, bringing a combined six decades of legal expertise to the practice. The recruitment of these two professionals marks a significant step in the firm's ongoing expansion within California.

Strengthening the Ogletree Deakins Legal Team

Before joining the firm, Pico and Markson maintained a long-standing professional partnership, having co-founded the Los Angeles-based employment litigation firm Markson Pico LLP. They worked together for nearly twenty years prior to their recent transition. Pico joins the firm from Jackson Lewis P.C., while Markson arrives from an in-house role at Panda Restaurant Group, Inc.

Ogletree Deakins has hired veteran litigators Timothy Pico and Brett Markson as shareholders in Los Angeles.

Jack Sholkoff, the office managing shareholder in Los Angeles, noted that the pair brings deep roots within the California employment law community. According to Sholkoff, Pico’s background in litigation and counseling, paired with Markson’s recent experience working on the client side, will bolster the firm's capacity to assist employers with complex workplace disputes. The firm noted that Pico and Markson are the 12th and 13th shareholders to join their California operations this year, underscoring a period of strategic growth for the practice.

Both attorneys possess complementary skill sets regarding employment litigation. Their combined practice covers a broad range of issues, including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage-and-hour disputes. They also handle cases involving California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). Individually, Pico provides preventive legal advice, while Markson brings specific expertise in class and collective actions, as well as matters related to trade secrets, privacy, and whistleblowers.

Reflecting on the move, Pico expressed that the firm's national platform will provide additional resources to support his clients. Markson emphasized that his experience managing outside counsel from the client perspective will allow him to better anticipate the needs of in-house legal teams. Both attorneys look forward to continuing their long-standing collaboration within the new environment.

Why it matters

The addition of these two seasoned shareholders enhances the firm's ability to navigate the complex regulatory landscape of California employment law. For employers, this expansion provides access to a deeper bench of legal talent capable of addressing both single-plaintiff cases and large-scale class actions, ensuring that businesses can better manage workplace challenges and compliance requirements.