Our vision at ODN is to become the nation’s premier resource for employers seeking elite and distinctive OSHA insider expertise for unmatched regulatory insight and strategic support. Here, we unite former OSHA professionals into a dynamic, collaborative network that amplifies their collective knowledge, local insights, and strategic capabilities to empower the regulated community, elevate safety outcomes, and level the playing field for employers dealing with OSHA. The OSHA Defense Law Firm (ODL) is an additional layer of defense against OSHA violations, surprise audits and litigation matters.
Leveling the playing field through insider expertise
When the playing field isn't level, perspective matters.
ODN provides one-of-a-kind access to the individuals with first-hand OSHA expertise and knowledge. Instead of remaining outside looking in, the perspective of ODN members brings you inside through providing a different lens in which to evaluate your safety and health matters.
Mission & Vision
Our mission is to empower the Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) community by providing direct access to former OSHA insiders—creating a trusted, growing network that expands employers’ access to critical regulatory insight, strategic support, and the resources needed to navigate OSHA with confidence.
Empowerment
To empower and defend members and clients through our collaborative online platform and insider network of former OSHA employees, safety professionals and regulators.
Excellence
To provide an unparalleled level of competency and resources in the regulated OSHA space, while focusing on the EHS community and other communities we operate in.
Equality
We even the playing field for all of our clients and members by ensuring their access to the latest knowledge, articles, regulatory changes and compliance matters affecting their businesses.
Our Founders
Dane Steffenson
Dane Steffenson is a nationally recognized employment litigator with over 17 years of experience at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), where he handled complex cases in areas like ERISA, FLSA, OSHA, SCA, OFCCP, H1-B visa programs, and whistleblower statutes. He has led hundreds of employment law cases, including more than 25 trials, and was named the DOL’s top litigator in 2016.
Dane provides strategic counsel on employment issues, utilizing his deep understanding of DOL enforcement to guide clients through investigations and litigation involving OSHA, ERISA, wage and hour disputes, contingent workforces, contractor classification, and ESOPs. His practice spans diverse industries such as construction, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, staffing, and transportation. Dane is also an active presenter and author on employment law topics, serves as co-chair of the ABA’s Fair Labor Legislation Standards committee, and contributes to publications on collective and class actions under the FLSA and ERISA.
Kristina Brooks
Kristina Brooks believes in proactive prevention and partners closely with clients to navigate employment laws. With fifteen years as a senior trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Labor and experience as Of Counsel with Jackson Lewis’ Workplace Safety and Health group, Kristina is proficient in occupational safety, wage and hour, employee retirement and health, retaliation, whistleblower matters, mine safety, and workplace criminal issues. She has coordinated internal labor relations, warrants, and COVID-19 whistleblower efforts, and has appeared before federal courts and administrative tribunals nationwide.
Kristina regularly trains clients on topics such as process safety management, retaliation, COVID-19 regulations, worker misclassification, joint employment, and ethics in litigation. Previously, she worked for California Rural Legal Assistance specializing in agricultural workers’ litigation and outreach. During law school, Kristina co-edited the Environmental Law Review.
About OSHA Defense Law Firm
The OSHA Defense Law Firm is a collaborative of former OSHA-insider attorneys who are seasoned experts with extensive litigation experience and knowledge around workplace safety laws, regulations and compliance matters.
Our team seeks to empower the regulated workplace community with same knowledge the Department of Labor has, so that we can level the playing field and protect your business from extensive risk and exposure to audits, fines and non-compliance matters.
The OSHA Defense Network is designed to keep you informed with the latest collective knowledge available while our law firm is at your disposal for critical matters where you find yourself in the crosshairs of potential violations, fines or other compliance issues.