Three AALRR Attorneys Selected as 2023 San Diego Super Lawyers and a Senior Associate Named Rising Star

04.25.2023

AALRR congratulates Partner Brian Martin, Partner Michael J. O’Connor, Jr., and Of Counsel Jonathan Andrews who have been named to the 2023 San Diego Super Lawyers list, as well as Senior Associate Melisa McKellar who was named a Rising Star. This recognition highlights attorneys whose work has been recognized by their peers.

“These attorneys exemplify our dedicated commitment to providing high quality legal work and consistently practical management solutions to our clients,” commented Managing Partner Jim Baca. “I could not be more proud to call these attorneys my colleagues. This recognition from their peers is very well deserved.”

Brian Martin is an accomplished business and employment litigator and trial and appellate attorney with more than 20 years of experience representing clients in the private sector. Mr. Martin focuses on finding the most advantageous solutions to legal issues for his clients through negotiation, strategic problem solving, and—if necessary—litigation. Mr. Martin has been recognized on the San Diego Super Lawyers in the area of business litigation every year since 2013.

Michael J. O’Connor Jr. represents businesses and employers throughout the region in class action defense, regulatory compliance, collective actions, commercial proceedings, and claims ranging from alleged wrongful termination to employee mobility-related disputes. In addition to assisting clients with litigation and pre-litigation advice and counseling, Mr. O’Connor handles a variety of transactional matters, including contract review, negotiation, and implementation. Mr. O’Connor has been recognized on the San Diego Super Lawyers list every year since 2013.

Jonathan Andrews advises and represents employers in all aspects of labor and employment law, including harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour, breach of contract, and employee mobility/trade secret litigation and counseling. Mr. Andrews represents clients in state and federal court as well as matters before administrative agencies, such as the California Labor Commissioner, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Mr. Andrews has been recognized on the San Diego Super Lawyers list every year since 2009.

Melisa McKellar advises and represents employers throughout California in various aspects of labor and employment law, including harassment, discrimination, retaliation, discipline and termination, wage and hour, sick leave, breach of contract, and workplace investigations. Ms. McKellar represents her clients in state and federal court, arbitration, mediation, and before administrative agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the California Civil Rights Department, and the California Labor Commissioner’s Office. This is Ms. McKellar’s fourth time being recognized as a Rising Star.

Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive, and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys.

About Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo
With more than 40 years of unwavering commitment to client service, AALRR is one of California’s leading law firms. Our diverse team brings a seasoned perspective to California’s complex legal landscape for public and private entities, with particular strength in the areas of education, labor and employment, construction, complex litigation, corporate, taxation, and water.  Our public sector clients include more than 450 K-12 school districts, community college districts and universities, as well as cities, counties, and special districts. We also represent diverse business entities from small, family-run businesses to publicly traded corporations. AALRR has more than 230 lawyers and nine offices in Cerritos, Fresno, Irvine, Marin, Pasadena, Pleasanton, Riverside, Sacramento, and San Diego to serve our clients throughout California. For more information about AALRR, visit our website at www.aalrr.com.