Former EEOC Legal Counsel Returns to Akin Gump
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(Washington, D.C.) – Reed L. Russell, the former head of the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, has returned to Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP as a partner, the firm announced today.
Appointed as legal counsel by President George W. Bush in 2007, Mr. Russell served as the chief legal advisor to the EEOC’s chair on policy issues, EEOC administrative issues and inter-agency coordination. He led a 30-lawyer team that oversaw the development of all substantive policy documents (including regulations, compliance manual sections, enforcement guidance, technical assistance documents and informal discussion letters) issued by the EEOC.
Robert G. Lian Jr., leader of Akin Gump’s labor and employment practice, said, “Reed’s experience helping shape important policy on cutting-edge EEO issues that affect employers will be of great benefit to our clients. We are extremely pleased that Reed has rejoined our firm.”
Mr. Russell added, “I am delighted to return to Akin Gump. The combination of economic factors and recent or proposed legislative action in the employment arena poses significant challenges for employers. Akin Gump’s labor and employment practice has excellent lawyers in an array of areas to help employers navigate these challenging times; I am privileged to join that group once again.”
Before joining the EEOC, Mr. Russell practiced employment law for eight years at Akin Gump, primarily litigating wage and hour and Title VII class actions and handling employment discrimination matters.
A former major in the Army National Guard and a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Mr. Russell served in Ramadi and Baghdad as an advisor to the Iraqi Security Forces and earned the Bronze Star for meritorious service. He received his B.S. in 1991 from Wake Forest University and his J.D. summa cum laude in 1999 from the Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law.
Founded in 1945, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, a leading international law firm, numbers more than 900 lawyers in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
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