The law firm of Ward Damon is pleased to announce that I. Jeffrey Pheterson and Denise J. Bleau have merged their law practices with Ward Damon, effective immediately.

The new firm, Ward, Damon, Posner, Pheterson & Bleau, PL, will continue to practice as Ward Damon, with offices in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Jupiter, Florida.

Pheterson and Bleau have practiced together for many years, and are an experienced complex commercial litigation trial team.

Pheterson has practiced law for over 32 years in Florida. His primary area of focus is labor & employment law, but he also engages in legal counseling and, if required, litigation concerning a variety of matters including executive contract concerns, local governmental issues, business negotiations, healthcare law, and complex civil litigation. Pheterson has served as special counsel on many labor and employment matters

“Jeff Pheterson is a great addition to Ward Damon, as he brings considerable trial skills and problem solving acumen to the table. Not only is he a great lawyer, but he also has the proven leadership which will help us move forward as a dynamic and growing law firm,” said Philip Ward, President and CEO of Ward Damon. Pheterson will manage the firm with Ward on the firm’s Executive Committee.

Pheterson serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Bethesda Memorial Hospital, and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Corporate Partners Program of the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Weiss Treasury Only Money Market Fund, a Mutual Fund affiliated with Weiss Capital Management, Inc.

Pheterson has been recognized as one of the Top Lawyers in South Florida™ in the South Florida Legal Guide (2007 - 2009). He also has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America® (2007 - 2009) and one of Florida’s Superlawyers. Pheterson graduated from the University of Florida College of Law (J.D., 1976) and earned his B.A. in Political Science and Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University (1973).

Denise J. Bleau, who joins the firm as partner, has practiced law for over 20 years in Florida. Her primary areas of focus are labor & employment law and complex commercial litigation. Bleau also has an active practice in the areas of administrative and local government law, contract issues, real estate litigation, and civil rights litigation. She has served as special counsel on many labor and employment matters. Bleau, the former Mayor of Lantana, is a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association and is Co-Chair of the Labor and Employment Section of the South Palm Beach County Bar Association.

"Denise Bleau is an accomplished litigator and she has spoken widely on topics involving workplace concerns and federal trial practice. She is deeply committed to our standards of excellence in client service," said Ward. "We look forward to working with Pheterson and Bleau to strengthen our position as the “go to” firm in South Florida."

Ward Damon is an AV rated, multi-specialty law firm, serving the legal needs of our clients and our community since 1987.

Clients include several financial institutions, small, medium and large-sized businesses, real estate brokerage firms, insurance carriers, light and medium industry, health care providers, performing arts organizations, and high technology companies. Representative clients include Anderson Moore Construction Co., Florida Coast Equipment, Tolley Investments, Haynes Scaffolding, Delray Plants, Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Cardiology Center of Palm Beach County, A-1 Roof Trusses, Eco Advisors, LLC, Harmsco, K-Rain Corporation, 1st United Bank, Regions Bank, Seacoast National Bank, Ironstone Bank, Mutual Bank, Davco Electrical Contractors, Oasis Singer Island Development Company, Ticor Title Insurance Company, Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, Abel Mortage, Inc., Automatic Manufacturing Systems (Accuplace), New Varieties Development and Management Corp., Air Charter Professionals (ACP Jets) Manpower, Marine Exhaust Systems, Inc., Sunshine Plumbing, Park Avenue BBQ & Grille, Diane Turton Realtors, KD Construction of Florida, Inc., The Ice Cream Club, Inc. and Westcor.