Jackson Lewis LLP, one of the country’s largest and fastest-growing workplace law firms, is pleased to announce Gregg E. Clifton has assumed the role of Phoenix office Managing Partner, succeeding Amy J. Gittler.  Ms. Gittler, who has served as Managing Partner since she opened the Phoenix office for the firm in December 2007, will continue her legal practice as a Partner, representing employers in all facets of employment matters.

“During Amy’s tenure as Managing Partner, she did an outstanding job of establishing Jackson Lewis as a ‘go to’ firm in Phoenix,” said Firm Chairman Vincent A. Cino.  “We are confident in Gregg’s ability to step right into his leadership role and continue to strengthen our presence and reputation in the region.  Over the years, he has earned the respect of colleagues and clients alike with his invaluable knowledge of workplace law and the sports industry specifically, and we look forward to seeing how the Phoenix office will continue to flourish under his management.”

“I am excited to assume the role of Managing Partner and work with this team of talented attorneys,” said Clifton.  “I am fortunate to be able to build upon the solid foundation that exists here, and I look forward to our continued success in Phoenix.”
Mr. Clifton, who began his career as an Associate at Jackson Lewis, has advised numerous professional franchises on general labor and employment issues, including Title III ADA regulatory compliance and wage and hour issues.  He serves as lead counsel for several Major League Baseball teams in their salary arbitration matters and has represented NCAA and NAIA collegiate clients regarding rules compliance, investigatory matters and in disciplinary hearings.  In addition, Clifton has worked extensively in the area of agent regulation and enforcement in professional and college sports and regularly provides counsel on matters relating to NCAA and NAIA amateurism issues and athlete eligibility questions.

Clifton also continues to counsel clients in the areas of collective bargaining negotiations, representation cases, arbitrations and National Labor Relations Board matters.  Prior to joining Jackson Lewis, he spent six years as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Team Sports for Gaylord Sports Management.  He also served as President of the Athlete and Entertainment Division for famed sports attorney Bob Woolf’s firm, Woolf Associates, in Boston.

Clifton frequently serves as a guest speaker to law schools, including Harvard University, Boston College, Hofstra University and Arizona State University, and bar associations regarding sports law issues.  He is often cited as an expert source in national news media for his commentary and opinion on legal issues in sports.  Clifton is a graduate of the Hofstra University School of Law and graduated cum laude from Harvard University where he played on the basketball team and was a recipient of the John Harvard Scholarship for Academic Excellence.  He is a member of the Arizona State Bar Association, New Jersey State Bar Association, New York State Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

Jackson Lewis’ Phoenix office can be reached by calling (602) 714-7044.