NEW YORK CITY – JUNE 5, 2008 – Arent Fox is proud to announce that Darrell S. Gay has joined the firm as a partner in the firm’s Manhattan office, where he will establish and lead the firm’s labor and employment practice in New York. Mr. Gay represents corporate and government clients with respect to their employee-related issues, including discrimination matters, traditional labor/management relations, diversity, hiring and discharge, privacy, and wage issues. Mr. Gay’s work for clients with regard to traditional labor matters includes union negotiations, elections, arbitrations, unfair labor practice charges and union avoidance. In addition, he serves as chief negotiator for his clients during collective-bargaining sessions.

Mr. Gay’s extensive international experience encompasses counseling clients on global issues, such as managing data protection concerns, preparing international harassment training and resolving employment issues in assorted jurisdictions. He assists clients in the establishment of business operations in foreign jurisdictions, enabling the clients to engage in employment of both expatriates and local nationals.

“Darrell is an extraordinarily accomplished and talented attorney with a remarkable depth and breadth of experience,” said Michael Blass, the partner-in-charge of Arent Fox’s New York office. “His addition to Arent Fox will enable the firm to bring our nationally recognized labor and employment practice to the firm’s New York office, expanding our capabilities and, most importantly, enhancing our client services.”

Joining Mr. Gay in Arent Fox’s newly established New York labor and employment group is associate Sonya D. Johnson.  Ms. Johnson has over 15 years of experience in employment, labor and employee relations matters, advising clients on day-to-day personnel operations, strategic plans, employment agreements, separation agreements, restrictive covenants, policy development and compliance with federal and state laws affecting employment. She also served as assistant corporation counsel in the Commercial and Real Estate Litigation Division of New York Corporation Counsel.

Prior to joining Arent Fox, Darrell Gay was a partner at two major international law firms, serving as the head of the US practice group at one of them. He also headed an employment and labor law boutique for several years in New York City.  He was formerly associated with the National Labor Relations Board, Region 2 in New York, as an attorney.

Mr. Gay was a Commissioner with the New York State Civil Service Commission and a member of the Governor’s Task Force on Sexual Harassment, the Human Rights Arbitration Committee, and the New York State Division of Human Rights Board of Advisors.

Mr. Gay graduated from Columbia University Law School in 1979. He earned his BA from Fordham University.