O’Melveny Worldwide

Based in O’Melveny’s Washington DC office, Tyler H. Speers represents employers in labor and employment matters, with experience spanning employment litigation, employee benefits disputes, and workplace-related counseling. Her practice focuses on issues involving compensation, benefits, and employment-related risk, allowing her to advise clients on both discrete disputes and broader workforce challenges.

Tyler has significant experience representing clients in the airline industry, where she has worked extensively on labor and employment matters for a major U.S. airline. Through this work, she has developed a strong understanding of the operational, regulatory, and workforce considerations unique to the industry, and regularly advises on issues arising in that context.

Clients rely on Tyler for her thoughtful, detail-oriented approach and ability to quickly master complex factual records. She works closely with clients to develop practical strategies, manage risk, and position matters for efficient resolution.

In addition to her labor and employment work, Tyler maintains experience in ERISA and employee benefits litigation, including defending fiduciary breach and pension-related claims. Her combined experience allows her to address employment issues that intersect with compensation and benefits structures.

  • Currently advising a major airline on liability issues related to withdrawal from a multiemployer pension fund. Also advised the airline on communication with the union
  • Represented a major airline in a whistleblower suit filed by an aggrieved former employee in the Northern District of Illinois. The case resulted in a favorable settlement for our client
  • Currently representing a major airline in arbitrations involving an AIR 21 whistleblower complaint. Led multiple aspects of this case including discovery and extensive motions drafting
  • Advised a multinational investment banking and financial services company in a series of FINRA arbitrations involving ERISA claims related to deferred compensation programs for financial advisors
  • Advised a health care and pharmaceutical company and its affiliate on ERISA preemption issues relating to state regulation of pharmacy benefit manager activity
  • Represented a multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company in massive litigation over drug marketing, which has now resolved the claims of thousands of state and local governments through a combination of trial victories, appellate wins, and historic settlement negotiations
  • Represented an international trade association in an amicus brief in support of a video hosting service facing a statewide ban of the application
  • Co-counsel for a civil rights organization in a state challenge alleging racial gerrymandering and vote dilution
  • Assisted in early stages of a US Supreme Court immigration case involving interpretation of the Immigration and Nationality Act’s aggravated felony provision
  • Advised on an immigration matter in a Ninth Circuit appeal regarding denial of asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture
  • Successfully negotiated a favorable settlement for a family separated at the US-Mexico border in an immigration matter

Languages

  • Spanish

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • North Carolina

Education

  • Duke University, J.D.: Giles-Rich-Stoner Scholar
  • University of North Carolina, B.A., Spanish: magna cum laude

Professional Activities

Clerkships

  • The Honorable Robin E. Hudson, State Supreme Court, North Carolina

Internships

  • Federal Public Defender, Charlottesville, VA
  • International Justice Mission, La Paz, Bolivia