Leading Employment Litigators Join Ballard Spahr in Phoenix

Jay Zweig and Melissa Costello—two attorneys with a combined five decades of experience representing businesses as employment law and commercial litigators—have joined Ballard Spahr’s Labor and Employment Group, Firm Chair Mark Stewart announced today. They will be based in Phoenix.

Mr. Zweig and Ms. Costello have been active in advising clients on federal and local laws relating to COVID-19. Individually, Mr. Zweig represents businesses in avoiding and resolving employment law disputes. He assists employers with human resources policies, confidentiality and noncompete agreements, wage-and-hour, FMLA, and leave law issues, whistleblower cases, sexual harassment and employment discrimination administrative charges and litigation, internal investigations, ADA matters, and OSHA citations. He has been lead counsel in federal and state court trials for clients ranging from startups to Fortune 100 companies. For her part, Ms. Costello advises clients regarding disciplinary issues, employee handbooks, noncompete agreements, separation agreements, harassment, ADA, and discrimination matters.

“Jay and Melissa are, like their new colleagues in the Labor and Employment Group at Ballard, essential partners to the clients they serve,” Mr. Stewart said. “That is especially true now as employers turn to us for help in addressing the impact of the global pandemic on their workplaces and the many complex issues that arise. We welcome the depth and experience that Jay and Melissa bring.”

Ballard Spahr’s Labor and Employment Group is home to almost 40 attorneys across the firm’s 15 offices. In addition to providing around-the-clock support to clients, the group is keeping them informed of pending legislation and legal developments via the firm’s COVID-19 Resource Center. In Phoenix, Mr. Zweig and Ms. Costello will work alongside noted labor and employment attorney Ronald J. Stolkin.

“We are delighted to welcome Jay and Melissa to our national practice, particularly at this very busy, critically important time for our clients,” said Brian D. Pedrow, leader of Ballard Spahr’s Labor and Employment Group. “They have excellent reputations in the Phoenix business community and beyond. Their depth, range, and creativity will help clients navigate the unprecedented challenges they are facing right now.”

Mr. Zweig, the Arizona Supreme Court’s Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year in 2017, is a contributing author to the Arizona Employment Law Handbook. Mr. Zweig and Ms. Costello joined from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP.

“Ballard Spahr’s national platform, client mix, and core values are an excellent fit for our practices,” Mr. Zweig said. “The attorneys have developed strong reputations and excellent track records providing indispensable counsel throughout the business community. Melissa and I are privileged to work with Ron, and we look forward to a team approach to serving clients.”