LawFuel For Law News –
EEOC General Counsel Will Resume National and International Employment Litigation Practice
For more information, contact Jamie Moss, newsPRos, 201-493-1027
(February 2, 2009, Washington, D.C.) – Steptoe & Johnson LLP, a leading international law firm, today announced the return of Ronald S. Cooper as a partner in the firm’s employment litigation practice in Washington, D.C., effective February 2nd. Mr. Cooper had served as General Counsel of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) since mid-August 2006.
“We are delighted to have Ron rejoin us,” said Roger Warin, Chairman of Steptoe. “Although the firm was happy to share his wisdom and expertise with the nation, we are pleased that Steptoe’s clients will once again benefit from his collective years of experience in both private practice and government.”
Prior to assuming the top legal position at the EEOC, Mr. Cooper specialized in employment litigation for more than three decades at Steptoe, with a practice focus on representing employers at the trial and appellate level in litigation throughout the country, including large class actions and government enforcement matters brought under Title VII , The Age Discrimination in Employment Act, The Equal Pay Act, The Americans with Disabilities Act and The Fair Labor Standards Act. In addition to actions brought under federal law, he represented employers with respect to claims brought under state and local laws, as well as employees and employers in restrictive covenant and executive compensation cases. His practice included the operation of employment law internationally. He represented foreign companies operating in the United States and U.S. companies with respect to their operations abroad.
Mr. Cooper has been a fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers since 1997. He is a member of the ABA’s Section of Labor and Employment Law and has held a number of the Section’s leadership positions, including service as Management Chair of its Continuing Legal Education Committee and Management Chair of its International Labor Law Committee. His community contributions include more than a decade of service on the Metropolitan Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, service on that organization’s Executive Committee, and service as its General Counsel.
“The Commission was fortunate to have had someone of Mr. Cooper’s caliber leading our litigation program. His contributions have made an indelible mark on the Office of General Counsel and leave the agency a better place,” Acting EEOC Chairman Stuart J. Ishimaru said in an EEOC press release issued earlier today. “The Commission thanks Mr. Cooper for his service as General Counsel at a critical time for the agency.”
“I very much enjoyed the opportunity to serve as EEOC General Counsel at a time of fundamental change for its enforcement program,” said Mr. Cooper. “I look forward to rejoining the exceptional people and lawyers at Steptoe. While I was away, its employment practice group has expanded in a number of offices. These added resources will help us meet the extraordinary challenges facing employers today.”
A native of Athens, Georgia and resident of Alexandria, Virginia for almost 40 years, Mr. Cooper received his AB degree in the honors program of the University of Georgia, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his JD degree from the University of Georgia School of Law, then served as law clerk to Judge Walter P. Gewin, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and as a Staff Attorney in the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Solicitor, Appeals Section.
About Steptoe
With more than 500 attorneys, Steptoe & Johnson LLP provides counsel and representation in a wide range of legal fields. In more than 60 years of practice, the firm has gained a national and international reputation for vigorous representation of clients before governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and creative and practical advice in guiding business transactions. The firm has offices in Washington, New York, Chicago, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Century City, London, and Brussels.
