NEW YORK – Global law firm Reed Smith announced today that partners Michele Haydel Gehrke and James Boudreau have been named among Benchmark Litigation’s 2026 Top 50 Labor & Employment Litigators and as Litigation Stars.

Related Professionals: Michele Haydel Gehrke James N. Boudreau

Gehrke was recognized for her work across the United States (National) and in California. Boudreau was honored for his achievements in Pennsylvania.

Based in San Francisco, Gehrke’s practice focuses on labor and employment matters on behalf of management, including employment counseling, litigation, and legal strategies. She defends employers in single-plaintiff and class-action cases in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies, as well as in whistleblower retaliation, trade secret misappropriation, and breach-of-contract matters.

Boudreau is based in Philadelphia, where he represents employers in complex employment litigation, with a focus on managing legal teams pursuing nationwide class and collective actions. He also handles disputes involving restrictive covenants, misappropriation of confidential information, and claims of unlawful termination for employers in other high-stakes matters.

Benchmark Litigation annually selects leading litigators worldwide through extensive research. Since 2024, Benchmark US has included national law firm rankings, labor and employment lawyer rankings, and the top 50 labor and employment lawyers selected by their peers and clients for their exceptional achievements.