AKRON, Ohio (Nov. 27, 2019) – Kastner Westman & Wilkins, LLC attorneys Jim Wilkins and John McKenzie were named among the 2020 Ohio Super Lawyers, an attorney rating service designation based on peer recognition and professional achievement. Julie Trout was a repeat Rising Stars honoree, a designation for early-career attorneys.
Wilkins, a Shareholder, is a six-time honoree in the Employment and Labor and Employment Litigation practice areas. McKenzie’s recognition is in the Employment Litigation: Defense practice area. Trout, an Associate, is a four-time Rising Stars honoree.
Super Lawyers analyzes lawyers from more than 70 practice areas through independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with third-party research, and each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis. Only 5 percent of practicing attorneys earn Super Lawyer status, and 2.5 percent of those eligible are selected to Rising Stars.
Wilkins is an Ohio State Bar Association-certified specialist in labor and employment law with a degree from the National Law Center, George Washington University. He represents and counsels employers on union relations matters, including collective bargaining negotiations and arbitration proceedings, and advises clients on compliance with the full range of labor and employment laws.
McKenzie is a litigator who assists employers with employment disputes, contracts, harassment investigations, terminations/severance/reductions-in-force and non-compete matters. He advises on leave management under the ADA and FMLA, including reasonable accommodation and interactive process obligations. John also assists management with labor contract negotiations and related matters.
Trout represents employers in state and federal courts, and before the EEOC and state fair employment practice agencies when discrimination claims arise. She graduated from the University of Akron School of Law.
Kastner Westman & Wilkins’ clients range from Fortune 500 companies to smaller regional businesses, and both local institutional employers and public sector entities. The firm employs 14 attorneys.
The firm provides employers with counsel and representation in affirmative action compliance, alternative dispute resolution, diversity and inclusion, employee benefits, employment litigation, EEOC charges, human resources consulting, labor arbitrations and negotiations, occupational safety and health, trade secret and non-compete litigation, wage and hour issues, workers’ compensation, and workforce management.