Ogletree Deakins Poaches 9-Lawyer Team from Littler Mendelson to Launch Monterrey Office

NewsData.io · United States · Sep 9, 2026

Ogletree Deakins has opened a new office in Monterrey, Mexico, staffed by nine lawyers recruited from rival Littler Mendelson, including three partners who had practiced together at Littler's Monterrey location. The move is driven by Monterrey's explosive nearshoring growth — industrial real estate absorption rose at an 18.9% CAGR from 2019–2024 — and a more complex employer compliance environment including Mexico's 13% minimum wage hike and mandatory seating law enforcement. The lateral team hire reflects intensifying competition for specialized labor-and-employment talent in high-growth cross-border markets, with potential non-compete and client-solicitation disputes still unresolved. For staffing firms serving multinational manufacturers and employers with U.S.-Mexico operations, the story signals rising demand for cross-border HR and compliance expertise.