Jackson Lewis enters Grand Rapids market

Jackson Lewis enters Grand Rapids market

Cino

National workplace-focused law firm Jackson Lewis has expanded into Grand Rapids and hired two local attorneys, Timothy J. Ryan and Linda L. Ryan, who will serve as partner and of counsel, respectively.

The firm has 51 locations nationwide and approximately 750 attorneys and has been expanding its presence by opening new locations and adding attorneys for the past seven years. It is also a charter member of L&E Global Employers’ Counsel Worldwide, an alliance of 14 workplace law firms in 14 countries.

“We think it’s an untapped market,” said Vincent Cino, firm chairman, about the Grand Rapids expansion. “We want to service our clients who are in that vicinity. We also want to attract new clients.”

Maurice Jenkins, who already serves as managing partner of the firm’s Detroit office, will also serve the Grand Rapids office in the same capacity.

“Jackson Lewis’ growing presence in the region is an exciting development for the firm and the Detroit office in particular,” Jenkins said. “I look forward to working closely with Tim and Linda, both of whom are well established in the Grand Rapids community and share our commitment to delivering top-notch services to our clients.”

Jenkins said the expansion into Grand Rapids isn’t about a specific local need, but, rather, part of the firm’s focus on being a full solution for its clients, many of which are multi state, national or global companies.

“Looking out into the future, we envision something similar to the Detroit office, which I opened back in 2008, and we are up to 10 lawyers now,” Jenkins said.

Both of the Ryans served previously in employment and labor law at Kotz Sangster Wysocki PC, which has multiple offices in Michigan, including a Grand Rapids location.

Cino and Jenkins acknowledge that West Michigan is focused on diversity and said that their firm will fit in well, having been cited many times for its commitment to diversity.

“Our firm is very committed to diversity, and I know that is important to the Western Michigan legal community,” Jenkins said. “They will quickly see that Jackson Lewis walks the talk in that area. We have every intention to make Grand Rapids as diverse as our firm is.

“In terms of diversity among the partnership, I don’t think there is a firm of our nature in this country that has more female partners and all kinds of affinity groups that we have as a firm and that is really important.”

The firm’s Grand Rapids office is located inside the ProLegal Systems building at 61 Commerce St. and “is open for business,” according to Cino.


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