Top Attorney – Margaret A. Clemens

Littler Mendelson P.C. established in 1942, is the largest U.S. – based law firm exclusively devoted to representing management in employment, employee benefit, executive compenstion, and labor law matters. The firm also handles global mobility and immigration issues. Littler Mendelson P.C. has been rated as among the largest labor and employment law firms in the US, and has received high rankings on various metrics including diversity, working conditions for women, and innovation. At Littler, their unparalleled commitment to labor and employment law helps their clients navigate a complex business world with nuanced legal issues – building better solutions for their toughest challenges.

Margaret “Maggie” A. Clemens Founder of Littler’s Rochester Office, is a highly successful and skilled litigator, has represented and counseled employers and employee benefit plans and their fiduciaries in all aspects of employment law, including Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) cases, for more than 34 years.

Maggie has successful defended clients in ERISA litigation matters involving: An employee benefit plan and its fiduciary for failure to provide plan benefits, or alternatively, for breach of fiduciary duty, Claims against plans and plan fiduciaries for failure to adequately disclose plan terms, Claims against plan fiduciaries regarding improper plan amendments, Challenges to modifications and termination of plan benefits, including retiree health care and State law claims against employers that are preempted by ERISA.

Minimizing risks and business disruptions, Maggie also provides employment counseling and training for clients confronted with ever-changing employment issues including: New laws and regulations on sexual harassment, Diversity and inclusion, Compliance with federal and state laws on disability and medical leaves, Recent developments in ERISA, Laws prohibiting discrimination, harassment and retaliation in employment, Discipline and termination, Violence in the workplace, Employment policies and handbooks, The Equal Pay Act.

Maggie previously worked at another firm, where she served as head of the ERISA litigation practice group and served on the firm’s diversity and pro bono committees. When Maggie came to Littler, she also served on Littler’s Diversity Committee and now serves on its Associates Review Committee and is involved with mentoring associates. Maggie is also the president of Volunteer Legal Services, which is an organization that provides pro-bono legal services for battered women and children.

Maggie grauated summa cum laude with a B. A. from State University of New York at Albany and received his J.D.  magna cum laude from Albany Law School. While in law school, Maggie was the executive director of the Albany Law Review and was an active member of the Women in Law Organization. She is a member of the Judicial Evaluation Committee, Greater Rochester Area Women’s Bar Association (GRAWA), President, Board of Directors Former Secretary and Treasurer, Volunteer Legal Services Project of Monroe County (VLSP) Board service 2012-present, member of the New York State Bar Association, 1984-present and the Monroe County Bar Association, 1984-present.

Maggie has been featured in various publications and have done press as well as spoke at many speaking engagements on topics involving employment and labor laws. She has been recognized by many organizations for her service including:  Attorney of the Year, New York Daily Record, 2016, Named, The Best Lawyers in America© 2003-2019, Lawyer of the Year, Labor Law – Management, Rochester, The Best Lawyers in America© 2013-2018, Super Lawyer Upstate New York,  and Super Lawyers 2014-2018.

Regarding her success, Maggie added “The most important thing to me is my family. I put them first and worked hard so that I could raise my four daughters to be successful women.”