Littler Mendelson, P.C., the nation's largest employment and labor law firm, today announced a merger with Cleveland-based Duvin, Cahn & Hutton, the largest standalone labor and employment focused firm. The firms are joining forces to meet the Ohio business community's significant growth and ensuing legal counsel needs.

Littler Mendelson (Littler) and Duvin, Cahn & Hutton (Duvin) share similar roots, beginning as traditional labor relations firms; the combination of the two labor and employment powerhouses is expected to have a positive impact with the employers they advise across a variety of industries and state borders.

The addition of Duvin's 46 attorneys specializing in a variety of employment law practice areas grows Littler to more than 590 attorneys and 39 offices across the country. This union continues Littler's explosive growth and further solidifies its leadership position as the largest law firm in the United States exclusively devoted to representing management in employment, employee benefits, and labor law matters. While Littler has had a strong Midwest presence - with offices in Chicago, Columbus, Minneapolis and Indianapolis - the addition of operations in Cleveland will enable the firm to better serve existing clients. Likewise, Duvin expects this merger to enhance significantly its ability to deliver exceptional service to all clients.

"We are pleased to welcome Duvin, Cahn & Hutton's deeply experienced and well-respected attorneys as they share our dedication to the exclusive practice of labor and employment law," said Marko Mrkonich, president of Littler Mendelson. "The addition of the Duvin group will augment our expertise and the firm's depth, while providing Duvin's existing clientele of major U.S. corporations and other employers with expanded access to counsel across the nation. In particular, the new group will bring Littler considerable employment litigation experience, as well as attorney proficiency across the entire spectrum of workplace issues."

Robert Duvin, founder of Duvin, Cahn & Hutton, his staff and Littler's attorneys and professionals will reside in Duvin's current Cleveland office.

Duvin added, "The attorneys at Duvin, Cahn & Hutton have long served clients and corporations beyond the Cleveland and Ohio markets. However, the opportunity to join with a national firm of Littler's caliber was very appealing. The union is an ideal move for both parties, and we're excited to begin the New Year together as the national leader in our field."

About Duvin, Cahn & Hutton

Duvin, Cahn & Hutton, a 47 member law firm located in Cleveland, Ohio, is widely recognized as one of the nation's preeminent labor and employment law firms. The Firm represents employers around the country as well as many of Northeast Ohio's public entities in all areas of labor relations and employment law, and in complex litigation.

About Littler Mendelson

With nearly 550 attorneys and 38 offices in major metropolitan areas nationwide, Littler Mendelson is the largest law firm in the United States devoted exclusively to representing management in employment, employee benefits and labor law matters. The firm's client base ranges from Fortune 500 companies to small-business owners. Established in 1942, the firm has litigated, mediated and negotiated some of the most influential cases and labor contracts in the nation's history. For more information, visit www.littler.com.