Employment law specialist Littler has hired Maralee (Marti) Downey as its inaugural chief legal officer and general counsel.
Downey joins from retirement home operator Brookdale Senior Living, where she was legal VP for labour and employment. At Littler, she will lead the firm’s legal strategy and handle risk management, compliance and litigation matters, as well as provide counsel to the firm’s leadership team and manage crisis response efforts globally. She will also be responsible for reinforcing the firm’s culture of ethics and accountability. Downey will be based in the firm’s Nashville, US office.
Erin Webber, Littler’s managing director and president, said: “[Downey] is a forward-thinking leader who will be instrumental in helping us navigate the rapidly shifting legal and regulatory landscapes, geopolitical volatility and the accelerating pace of technological change.
“I have had the privilege of working closely with Marti for more than a decade and know first-hand that she brings the insight, agility and leadership needed to help Littler stay ahead of emerging challenges. In this role, she will embed legal and regulatory foresight and strengthen our ability to anticipate and adapt to an increasingly complex environment.”
Downey spent 11 years at Brookdale, originally joining in 2014 as associate GC for labour and employment. She previously worked in private practice, first at Perkins Coie in Seattle and later at legacy firm Waller Lansden Dortch and Davis (now part of Holland & Knight) in Nashville, both as an associate.
She said: “Over the years, I have come to deeply respect [Littler’s] commitment to client service and strategic problem-solving. I look forward to partnering with Littler’s leadership team as the firm navigates today’s evolving challenges, and continues to set the standard for innovation and excellence in labour and employment law.”
In other law firm in-house moves, back in June US intellectual property specialist Fish & Richardson promoted Elham Dehbozorgi to GC, replacing Roger Feldman who is retiring later this year. In November last year, Browne Jacobson hired former Solicitors Regulation Authority enforcement head Oliver Sweeney as its first GC. And in September 2023, Nixon Peabody hired William Connolly as GC and CLO from Salary.com.
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