Withers launches US east coast employment practice with addition of new team

International law firm Withers has launched an East Coast employment practice in the US, adding two partners and an of counsel who advise and represent executives in all facets of employment law. Partner Cody Yorke and Of Counsel Katherine Blostein will work out of the firm’s New York office while Partner Kerry Zaroogian, who has spent much of her career in New York, will work remotely in Minneapolis.

The team joins Withers from Outten & Golden, where Cody and Kerry co-chaired the firm’s Executives and Professionals group. Cody, Kerry and Katherine share a focus on representing executives and employees, and groups of executives and employees, in compensation negotiations, lift-outs, restructurings, and corporate transactions, including liquidity events. The team also negotiates employment, severance, contractor, international assignment, and restrictive covenant agreements on behalf of executive clients. 

Jeremy Wakeham, chief executive of Withers' Business division, comments: 'Cody, Kerry and Katherine are a huge boost to our executive-facing employment team in the US, working alongside San Francisco-based partner Ann Wicks. Senior executives face a growing range of pressures, both in their roles and in their careers, and need the support of skilled and experienced advisors like Cody, Kerry, and Katherine who will protect their interests and secure the best outcomes.'

Cody, Kerry and Katherine have experience working across a wide range of industries, including financial services, commercial real estate, healthcare, professional services, technology, media and entertainment, consumer goods and services, and fashion and luxury retail.

Cody comments: 'I am thrilled to join the Withers team alongside Kerry and Katherine. Our approach to working with clients has always been to learn their individual goals and circumstances, to act as trusted advisors, and to bring our industry knowledge and experience to bear in serving as a line of defence and a broader resource for their legal needs. This focus on providing excellent client service is a philosophy embraced by everyone at Withers.'

Kerry adds: 'Cody, Katherine, and I look forward to building a top-tier executive employment team in New York, advising on the complex, ever-evolving issues facing senior leaders. Our collaborative team is excited to expand our practice with our new colleagues, putting their skills to use to address our clients’ varied legal needs – employment-related and otherwise.'

Katherine adds: 'Joining Withers is an exciting next chapter for us and our practice. Cody, Kerry and I are passionate about guiding executives and employees through critical career transitions and complex negotiations, and Withers’ collaborative culture and international reach will allow us to continue to support clients at every stage of their careers and their lives.'