Adams and Reese Partner Janis van Meerveld Selected as Federal Magistrate Judge

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The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana has announced the selection of Adams and Reese Partner, Janis van Meerveld, as a Federal Magistrate Judge for the District.

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana has announced the selection of Adams and Reese Partner, Janis van Meerveld, as a Federal Magistrate Judge for the District.

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana has twelve authorized Active Judges, two Senior Judges and five Magistrate Judges. The Active Judges and Senior Judges are appointed to the district bench by the President of the United States, and confirmed by the United States Senate, under Article III of the Constitution of the United States. The Article III judges exercise what Article III calls "the judicial power of the United States." Magistrate Judges are selected by the district judges upon recommendation by a Merit Selection Panel. They are then appointed to serve for a period of eight years after which they may request consideration for reappointment. Magistrate Judges carry out various responsibilities in accordance with Civil Local Rule 73 and Criminal Local Rule 5.

Janis is well-known throughout Louisiana as a skilled attorney and mentor, and within the community for her philanthropic service. She began her career with Adams and Reese as an associate 27 years ago. A graduate of Tulane Law School in 1987, she has litigated cases for 29 years and her experience included maritime law and general insurance defense before she began specializing in labor and employment and directors and officers liability litigation. Janis is AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, listed in Louisiana Super Lawyers® (by Thomson Reuters) in Labor and Employment, and listed in Best Lawyers® (by Levine Leichtman Capital Partners) in Labor and Employment Law. She currently serves as CLE Coordinator for the American Bar Association's EEOC liaison subcommittee in New Orleans. She has also served as Labor and Employment Practice Team Leader, Chair of the firm’s Recruiting Committee and as a member of the firm’s Diversity Committee.

Janis has represented management interests in employment litigation. Her practicality with discrimination and EEOC charges helped clients manage the investigative, administrative and judicial phases with less disruption to their businesses. Clients faced with class actions, multiple plaintiffs and ERISA claims have chosen Janis for her considerable experience and success in employment litigation and human resources law. She has significant experience defending suits involving false claims, including qui tam and other federal and state whistleblower actions. Janis also represents various corporate entities, especially homeowner and condo associations and their board members in directors and officers claims.

Janis frequently assisted clients in the development of employee policies, procedures and handbooks. She would regularly speak on litigation avoidance and conducts client training on many employment related matters for managers and other employees. She also advised clients on hiring, discipline, and termination policies and practices.

One of Janis’ greatest contributions to the Adams and Reese Labor and Employment practice has been her leadership in creative pre-trial solutions. Her cost-conscious approach and deep understanding of the psychology of employment litigation guides clients through the decisions necessary for timely, cost-effective, and constructive response to employee claims and lawsuits.

In the community, Janis is dedicated to the work of Boys Hope Girls Hope of New Orleans where she serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the New Orleans Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Adams and Reese congratulates our Partner, Janis van Meerveld, on this prestigious honor and we look forward to following her new career path as a Federal Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Louisiana.