McMahon, Berger law firm expands

St. Louis Daily Record & St. Louis Countian, Mar 13, 2006 by St. Louis Daily Record Staff

Ask any of the three new associates why they left their previous practices to join the firm of McMahon, Berger, Hanna, Linihan, Cody & McCarthy, and they will sum it up with a word: reputation.

It's reputation, agreed McMahon Berger attorney James Foster, that attracted new talent to the employment defense firm.

But that may not be all the reputation is bringing in, as Foster explained that an increase in demand has allowed the firm to take in new blood.

At this time, it makes sense, he said. It's just in response to steady growth and demand.

Associate Joshua Richardson joined the firm from Polsinelli Shalton Welte Suelthaus P.C., where he practiced in the areas of employee benefits and pension plan administration.

I felt that this was just an opportunity to join a group of the best employment lawyers in the area, he said about the move.

Bringing about two years of experience to McMahon Berger, he holds a law degree from Washington University and an LLM in taxation for the University of Florida. Outside of academics, he is a member of the tax section of the American Bar Association's employee benefits committee as well as a member of the Thomson West Publishing Tax Advisory Board.

Another new associate, Amy Brown, said she made the move from another local law firm, where she practiced general litigation defense, to McMahon Berger because she wanted to move in a new direction.

I've always had an interest in labor and employment law, and they have a great reputation and a great practice, she said.

Prior to her work in St. Louis, she worked for the National Labor Relations Board in Washington, D.C., and served as a law clerk for Judge Robert Larsen of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

Associate Jeff Hackney recently returned to the firm after a two-year stint at Ford and Harrison in Atlanta.

I started my career with McMahon Berger, he said, and having left, I realized it's an exceptional place to practice employment law, and I thought it would be a good move to come back.

An employment defense trial attorney, Hackney represents employers in traditional labor law matters involving unions and the National Labor Relations Act.