Radix Law, 15205 N. Kierland Blvd., recently welcomed its newest partners John Balitis and Julia Acken to the firm. Both Balitis and Acken join Radix from Jennings Strouss & Salmon, bringing decades of legal experience and will elevate Radix’s employment and labor law practices and its adoptions law practice.

“John and Julia have worked together as a remarkably dynamic team for many years,” said Andy Kvesic, Managing Partner at Radix Law. “We are grateful and excited they chose Radix to bring their seasoned expertise, impressive backgrounds and passion for what they do.”

Balitis counsels private sector clients as well as government agencies, including the Arizona legislature, on a broad range of employment law and labor relations matters. Over his 30 years of practice, he has represented clients in administrative proceedings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, U.S. Department of Labor, National Labor Relations Board, Arizona Civil Rights Division, Arizona Industrial Commission, Arizona Department of Occupational Safety and Health and the Arizona Department of Economic Security. Recognizing that some issues need to be resolved at the legislative level, Balitis has participated in drafting and testifying on Arizona employment-related legislation.

In addition to the administrative and transactional aspects of his practice, Balitis litigates employment-related disputes in federal and state courts, where he has both bench and jury trial experience and has appeared and argued before the Arizona Court of Appeals. He has considerable experience prosecuting and defending employment claims in preliminary injunction proceedings and representing union employers in labor arbitrations involving disputes under collective bargaining agreements. Balitis is also experienced in training, investigating, writing, speaking, publishing and interacting with the media on employment-related topics and developments. He serves as an arbitrator and mediator on a private engagement basis as well as for the American Arbitration Association and participates in proceedings in these capacities in Arizona and other jurisdictions. He participates in proceedings in these capacities in Arizona and other jurisdictions.

Balitis is involved in his community, currently serving as a board member for Southwest Human Development. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling with his family, including frequent visits to London.

Acken focuses her practice on labor and employment law, as well as adoptions. She regularly advises and defends employers in matters involving a wide range of issues, including state and federal discrimination and wage and hour laws, wrongful termination, reasonable accommodations and leave laws. Acken previously was in-house counsel at a large, international company, and now acts as external general counsel for clients, including drafting employment and labor policies, supporting human resources personnel, responding to wage and hour and I-9 audits, providing compliance training, conducting workplace investigations and drafting and negotiating contracts.

Acken also has a keen interest in issues impacting children, including those with developmental disabilities, and regularly represents prospective adoptive parents as they navigate through the adoption process.

Acken describes herself as being “very musical,” playing piano and guitar. She serves on the Executive Committee for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona and is involved in many community events including the YES Day for Autism Walk. When she’s not working, she travels or hikes with her family.

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