For more than thirty years, Mr. Ames has represented public and private sector employers with regard to all aspects of labor relations and employment law. He is experienced as a chief negotiator and strategist in collective bargaining negotiations, as well as lead counsel in labor arbitrations and employment discrimination litigation. Mr. Ames is accomplished at providing effective, practical counseling to employers on implementing union avoidance strategies and compliance with the multitude of labor and employment laws applicable to their operations. As an outgrowth of his experience defending claims of employment discrimination on the basis of disability, Mr. Ames has frequently represented defendants confronted with claimed violations of Title III (Public Accommodations and Services Operated by Private Entities) of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Mr. Ames is a seasoned labor relations and employment lawyer who has successfully negotiated labor contracts incorporating merit pay concepts and other cost containment features. He has a track record as an effective counselor who assists his clients in avoiding the disruption and cost of litigation. He also is able to express legal principles and requirements in simple terms easily understood by lay persons. His extensive experience in labor and employment law enables Mr. Ames to identify potential problems quickly and recommend appropriate solutions. Significant Matters Mr. Ames has been recognized by Chambers & Partners since 2003 in its annual surveys of client and peer recommendations as one of the leading Labor and Employment lawyers in the United States. More recently, Mr. Ames was selected by the Washington Business Journal as the Top Employment Contracts Lawyer in Washington, D.C. for 2007 and also has been selected for inclusion in the 2007 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. In his most recent case tried before a jury, Mr. Ames successfully defended an employer in an eight-day trial on a former employee's age and sex discrimination claims. On behalf of one of his public sector clients, he obtained an "interest" arbitration award allowing his client to make significant cost saving modifications to its employee health insurance plans. Industries Education Hospitality and Lodging Memberships American Bar Association, Labor Law Section News October 3, 2011, Bob Ames and Lesley Marlin quoted in Law360 on potential for more layoffs September 14, 2011, 75 Venable attorneys listed in The Best Lawyers in America® 2012 June 10, 2011, Chambers Ranks Record Number of Venable Attorneys May 2, 2011, Washington, DC edition of Super Lawyers 2011 honors 17 Venable attorneys February 23, 2011, Venable team led by Robert Ames and Lesley Pate Marlin wins landmark ruling in challenge to arbitration award for WMATA August 23, 2010, 65 Venable attorneys receive 2011 Best Lawyers honors August 5, 2010, Daily Labor Report mentions Venable's role in Giant of Maryland LLC U.S. Court of Appeals case July 29, 2010, Robert Ames and Lesley Pate Marlin Win Appeal for Client in the Fourth Circuit July 17, 2010, Venable Makes Big Gains on Chambers USA 2010 Rankings with Forty-Eight Attorneys Listed as Among the Best in Their Fields November 5, 2009, Best Lawyers recognizes 24 Washington-area Venable attorneys in Washington Post supplement July 24, 2009, Robert Ames, Lesley Pate Marlin, and Trevor Blake Win Appeal for Client in the D.C. Circuit July 16, 2009, Thirty-Nine Venable Attorneys Recognized By Clients and Peers as Among Best in Their Practice Areas in 2009 Chambers USA Rankings June 18, 2009, Robert Ames mentioned in Maryland Gazette story on Montgomery County labor negotiations August 25, 2008, Fifty-nine Venable Attorneys Earn Best Lawyers in America Honors September 12, 2007, Fifty-five Venable Attorneys Earn Best Lawyers in America Honors July 18, 2007, 31 Venable Attorneys Recognized By Clients and Peers as Among Best in Field in Latest Chambers U.S. Rankings October 2, 2006, Forty-Seven Venable Lawyers Cited Among The Best Lawyers in America October 5, 2005, Forty Venable Lawyers Cited Among "Best Lawyers in America" June 10, 2005, Venable Makes Impressive Gains on Latest Chambers USA Rankings April 26, 2004, Venable Lawyers and Practice Groups Score On Latest Chambers USA Rankings April 5, 2000, Jury Brings Closure to Pfaltzgraff vs. Potts Employment Dispute After Just 4 Hours of Deliberation Honors · Winner, Washington Business Journal's 2007 Washington Top Lawyers, Labor & Employment Category · AV® Peer-Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell · Recognized in the 2011 edition of Chambers USA (Band 2), Labor & Employment, Maryland · Recognized in the 2010 edition of Chambers USA (Band 2), Labor & Employment, Maryland · Recognized in the 2009 edition of Chambers USA (Band 2), Labor & Employment, Maryland · Recognized in the 2007 edition of Chambers USA (Band 1), Labor & Employment, Maryland · Recognized in the 2006 edition of Chambers USA (Band 1), Labor & Employment, Maryland · Recognized in the 2005 edition of Chambers USA (Band 1), Labor & Employment, Maryland · Recognized in the 2004 edition of Chambers USA (Band 2), Labor & Employment, Maryland · Listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Labor and Employment Law (Woodward/White, Inc.) · Selected for inclusion in District of Columbia Super Lawyers 2007 - 2011 Publications April 2011, EEOC's Recently Published Final Rule Implementing ADA Amendments Act of 2008 Takes Effect on May 24 Lesley Pate Marlin, Robert G. Ames Labor & Employment News Alert (Also at Baltimore, Maryland Office) |