Find Lawyers in America for Litigation - Labor and Employment
Practice Area Overview
Often, these employment disputes culminate in a lawsuit, which can be costly, time-consuming, and damaging to employee relations. The number of employment-related litigation filings has been steadily increasing over the last decade, ranging from large-scale class actions to individual complaints. Employers are facing greater challenges and financial exposure from both current and former employees than ever before.
Employment litigation covers many types of claims, including discrimination; harassment; wage-hour pay, classification, and overtime violations; wrongful discharge; entitlement to employee benefits; misappropriation of trade secrets and confidential information; unfair competition; enforcement or avoidance of restrictive covenants; labor union disputes; workplace safety violations; defamation and other employment-related torts. These claims often involve the many laws governing employee relations, which are often referred to as “employment law alphabet soup.” These include Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), whistleblower claims under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) or Dodd-Frank Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) and the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
Resolving employment litigation requires knowledge of these laws and regulations, the applicable case law, and a careful case analysis and strategy. More so than in other less personal litigation, a perceptive understanding of the people involved is essential for success. Often, suits will be settled among parties or ended before trial through summary judgment based on the facts of the case. When early resolution is not achieved, however, the case will go to trial in court or before an agency tribunal. Verdicts in employment-related cases can be enormous, especially in wage-hour and other class actions, creating a high-stakes situation for employers.
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State
Leslie Abbott is a partner in the Los Angeles Employment Law Department of Paul Hastings LLP, where she has practiced since 1991. She previously served as Global Employment Law Department Vice Chair-West Coast, and Chair of the Los Angeles Employment Law Department. Her practice includes the representation of employers in all aspects of employment law. Ms. Abbott is Chair of the firm’s PAGA Practice Group. She focuses her practice on defending complex class, collective and representativ...
Michael Abcarian is the managing partner of the Dallas office of Fisher Phillips. In addition to national recognition as an elite labor lawyer, Michael is an exceptional defense trial lawyer with a track record to prove it. Michael represents employers in many complex lawsuits, some with “bet the company” and/or precedent-setting implications. These have included class actions and multiple-plaintiff cases. He often surprises clients with early, knock-out wins even when lengthy tri...
Ms. Acken focuses her practice in labor and employment law. She has defended numerous companies in gender, race and disability discrimination cases in state and federal court. Ms. Acken also has wide-ranging experience representing both public and private entities in EEOC claims, wage payment/overtime, wrongful termination, Davis-Bacon, and state and federal leave issues. She also currently serves as the Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Acken was ...
Mary Anne Ackourey is one of FMG’s founding attorneys and is a Partner in the Atlanta office. She is nationally known employment attorney and has been recognized by both Chambers USA and Super Lawyers. She also has handled a number of high-profile cases for educational institutions and public employers. Ms. Ackourey has represented employers throughout the country and her experience includes trying to verdict multiple federal jury trials, bench trials and arbitration cases. She also has...
George Adams is a partner in the Louisville office, where his practice is exclusively devoted to advising, assisting and representing employers with labor and employment law challenges. George has helped employers defend against union organizing campaigns, unfair labor practice charges and grievances. He defends employers in state and federal courts against lawsuits alleging sexual harassment, unlawful discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour violations and violations of the Family and Medi...
Mark Adams is a partner in the Labor & Employment Practice Group. He represents employers in all types of employment matters. For more than 30 years, Mark has represented employers in disputes before federal and state courts and regulatory agencies. Drawing on the depth and breadth of his experience, he counsels employers on the development of effective human resources policies, procedures, and strategies for complying with federal and state labor and employment laws. He also works with b...
Jimmy Adams is a versatile and seasoned litigator with more than 30 years of experience in arbitrations and in federal and state courts. Jimmy represents clients on dispute and litigation issues related to noncompetition agreements, taxation, health care, professional malpractice, ERISA and estate litigation, and all types of corporate and commercial disputes. He is an accomplished litigator who is very familiar with the process, strategy and custom at the trial and appellate levels. His goal...
JoJo Adams is a partner in the Labor & Employment Practice Group. He focuses his practice on discrimination, harassment, and other employment-related litigation. JoJo has extensive experience in employee and supervisor training related to workplace conduct issues and litigating wage-and-hour collective actions. He also has experience in unfair labor practice litigation against unions and in collective bargaining negotiations. JoJo also provides daily employment advice to clients in public...
Paul Lancaster Adams is the Managing Shareholder of Ogletree Deakins' Philadelphia office. With a strong in-house and outside counsel background, Paul brings a unique perspective and focus to his national clients. He has skillfully addressed a broad range of key employment issues critical to the modern workplace through counseling, negotiation and litigation. Paul has particular experience with employment single/multiple plaintiff and class action matters as well as wage and hour, non-compete...
Andrew M. Adelman is an associate attorney with Correia & Puth, PLLC and represents employees in all aspects of the firm’s employment litigation practice, including sex discrimination, whistleblower retaliation, and disability discrimination. Mr. Adelman’s practice is exclusively dedicated to advocating for the rights of employees. Mr. Adelman has extensive experience providing representation to individuals who have experienced discrimination based on their sex, sexual orienta...
Brad Adler is the Practice Group Leader over FMG’s national Labor & Employment Practice Section and also serves on the Firm’s Executive Committee. Mr. Adler is a nationally recognized labor and employment lawyer that has represented employers in a diverse range of labor and employment matters in more than 26 states across the U.S. His labor and employment practice fully encompasses the issues that employers may face in managing and interacting with employees, including employm...
Stephanie L. Adler-Paindiris is a principal in the Orlando, Florida, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She is a member of the firm’s Board of Directors and serves as co-leader of the firm's Litigation practice group. Admitted to the United States Supreme Court and federal courts throughout the country, Stephanie defends class and collective actions on behalf of employers and provides legal advice and counsel to help her clients navigate today’s legal and business workplace challenges. ...
Todd Aidman devotes his practice to working with companies on a broad range of labor and employment matters. He is experienced in complex and class action litigation and regularly practices in the trial and appellate levels of federal and state courts, as well as administrative agencies such as the EEOC and DOL. Todd defends companies in a broad range of employment and labor disputes, including cases involving allegations of age, race, national origin, disability, sex discrimination, sexual a...
Named a top attorney in his field, Ben joined the firm Fishel Downey Albrecht & Riepenhoff LLP in 1999. He became a partner in 2008. Always willing to “go the extra mile,” this avid cyclist and runner has been known to join clients in a bike ride or marathon. This philosophy has earned him the respect of clients, peers and even opposing counsel. Strong Support for Municipalities Ben advises cities, townships, counties and public officials throughout Ohio on all labor and emplo...
Kristin D. Alden is a skilled litigator and fierce advocate dedicated to protecting employees’ rights in the workplace. Kristin and her firm have fought tirelessly to enforce the laws prohibiting harassment and discrimination, to protect brave employees who speak up against wrongdoing, and to compel employers to accommodate employees’ medical needs and pay them the wages they earn. Kristin manages the firm’s practice while also representing its clients from virtually every w...
Nan Alessandra represents employers in both the public and private sectors in the defense of discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims for age, gender, disability, race, religion, national origin, and other protected categories. Her litigation experience includes the defense of EEOC and other administrative charges filed through the various federal and state court agencies, as well as defense of legal claims filed at both the judicial level, as well as through the arbitration process....
Fields Alexander has won verdicts for both plaintiffs and defendants in a number of difficult venues. His success with juries has been recognized by his peers, as evidenced by his election into the International Society of Barristers, The American Board of Trial Advocates, and by his repeated recognition as one of the best lawyers in America in several practice areas. He has a national practice, and frequently appears for clients not only across Texas, but throughout the country. He has also ...
Neil M. Alexander is a shareholder at Littler Mendelson in the Phoenix office and serves as Co-Chair of the Contingent Workforce Practice Group. He is a trial attorney who regularly defends companies against claims involving: Wrongful termination Unfair competition and trade secret violations Non-competition agreements Whistleblower and retaliation Harassment and discrimination Title VII The Age Discrimination in Employment Act The Americans with Disabilities Act The Family and Medical Leave ...
Scott Allen is a principal in the Miami, Florida, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Since 1998, Scott’s legal career has been dedicated to counseling and defending employers in employment-related matters and counseling on behalf of management. He has been with Jackson Lewis since 2001. Scott represents a broad range of management clients in state and federal courts and administrative tribunals concerning all types of employment litigation, including claims of discrimination on the basis of a...
Meg Alli has focused her practice on the representation and counseling of management concerning the umbrella of employment laws and regulations affecting corporate clients, not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions. She has defended employers, schools and colleges in state and federal courts, administrative agencies and arbitration proceedings. Meg has also served as select counsel for employment practices liability insurance carriers and represented employers in wage/hour lit...
Gregory T. Alvarez is a principal in the Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He focuses his practice on employment litigation, including class and collective action cases, as well as employment law counseling. He is a member of the firm’s Hispanic-American Attorney resource group and board liaison to the firm’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. Greg joined Jackson Lewis in 1994 and has since counseled employers on complying with the law and minimi...
Ms. Amalfe is listed among the region’s leading employment lawyers by the Best Lawyers® , Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business , and New Jersey Super Lawyers . As Chair of the firm’s Employment & Labor Law Department, Ms. Amalfe manages lawyers across three of five Gibbons offices, overseeing legal, administrative, and business development functions for one of the firm’s most active business units, with clients among the world’s be...
Joe Ambash is the managing partner of the Boston office. His practice includes all aspects of employment law, including labor-management relations, employment discrimination and wrongful discharge litigation, and preventive labor relations. He also has an extensive practice training managers in all areas of employment law compliance. Joe represents management in a broad range of industries, including health care, higher education, financial services, retail, media, sports and state and local ...
Brett M. Anders is a principal in the Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He exclusively represents management in workplace law, including counseling and litigation. Brett routinely advises clients regarding day-to-day employment issues, such as employee discipline and discharge, disability management issues, reductions-in-force and restrictive covenants. He also regularly conducts training programs for employers on a variety of employment-related topics, such as perfor...
Jessica DeBono Anderson is a Partner in the Orlando, Florida office. Since 2008, Ms. Anderson has represented management in employment litigation before state and federal courts in Florida and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Florida Commission on Human Relations, Department of Labor and other administrative agencies. Ms. Anderson has experience litigating issues such as employment discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, whistleblower, overtime and unpaid wages, leave and ...
Kathleen M. Anderson, a partner of Barnes & Thornburg LLP, has been an advocate for businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the country for over 15 years. Ms. Anderson, who focuses her practice on litigation and employment law, has been recognized in the Best Lawyers in America® , Who’s Who in American Law® , and Indiana Super Lawyers®. Ms. Anderson’s litigation practice covers the full spectrum of litigation services, including pre-litigation counseling; risk and litigation management; a...
Michelle Anderson represents employers in all aspects of employment law in both state and federal courts, and before administrative agencies. Her practice focuses on representing employers against claims of unlawful discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, violations of leave and disability laws, and wage and hour related issues. Michelle also litigates and advises employers on issues arising out of employee defection, including the prosecution and defense of claims involving non-com...
Nick Andrews concentrates his practice on the representation of management in matters related to labor and employment law. Nick is adept at advising clients facing complex employment law issues, including disputes related to allegations of harassment, employment discrimination, and wage and hour violations. He has appeared on behalf of employers before state and federal courts as well as administrative agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations ...
William J. Anthony is a strategic advisor to employers on complex employment law issues and litigation matters. His thoughtful, practical and legal approach to creatively addressing his clients' needs makes him a valuable resource to them. Will focuses his labor and employment practice on class, collective, and multiparty actions, including a broad spectrum of federal and state law wage and hour claims. He has successfully defended against actions alleging misclassification of independent con...
Nancy J. Arencibia is a principal in the Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She regularly handles all aspects of employment law. Nancy has a broad area of practice. She acts as lead counsel on all aspects of employment litigation, including claims of harassment and discrimination on the basis of gender, pregnancy, age, race, religion, national origin and disability, as well as wrongful discharge, FMLA, CEPA, invasion of privacy, defamation, breach of employment contrac...
Tracy Armstrong is co-chair of the Employment Law team and a member of the Management Committee at Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A. She has over 25 years of experience representing employers across industry sectors in all aspects of federal and state labor and employment law. An experienced litigator, Ms. Armstrong brings strategic insight to both the legal and commercial ramifications of complex and dynamic employment law concerns involving: the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD...
Chad Arnette is a partner in the firm's Litigation Practice Section. Mr. Arnette represents corporate and individual clients in a wide variety of business litigation in state and federal courts involving real estate, healthcare, oil and gas, employment, antitrust, tax and other matters. Mr. Arnette has participated in numerous civil and criminal trials in state and federal courts, multi-week administrative proceedings, arbitrations, and appeals.
Martin W. Aron is a principal in the Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, office of Jackson Lewis P.C.; where he has served as the litigation manager. For more than 35 years, he has represented employers in all facets of labor and employment matters. Marty has significant jury trial, bench trial and arbitration experience and is one of approximately two percent of the attorneys in the state who are certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Certified Civil Trial Attorney. He regularly litigat...
Irwin W. Aronson is the partner in residence of Willig, Williams & Davidson’s Harrisburg, Pa., office. A respected appellate advocate, Irwin concentrates his practice in labor and employment law, employee benefit matters, governmental affairs and legislative drafting and analysis. He possesses a broad range of experience in litigation and legislative matters ranging from fair labor standards and unemployment compensation, to housing and urban development, to elections and voting rig...
Lisa G. Arrowood is a Founding Partner of Arrowood LLP. Previously a Founding Partner of Todd & Weld LLP and a partner and associate at Hale and Dorr, she has over thirty years' experience practicing law in the areas of business litigation, employment disputes, medical malpractice, personal injury and legal malpractice. She is well known for her ability to try to a jury, judge or arbitrator breach of contract claims, medical malpractice cases, legal malpractice cases, sexual harassment an...
Mark S. Askanas is a principal in the San Francisco, California, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He joined the firm in 1988 and is a senior employment law litigator who has served as lead counsel for cases in state and federal courts, as well as arbitration forums, throughout the western United States. Mark practices all forms of complex litigation, including class actions and cases involving trade secrets and confidential information. He also counsels employers on all facets of employment law i...
Clifford Atlas is a principal in the New York City, New York, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He is the co-leader of the Restrictive Covenants, Trade Secrets and Unfair Competition practice group. Cliff works extensively with clients in developing and drafting employment contracts and restrictive covenant agreements, and developing programs to best protect clients’ confidential business information. He has significant experience in prosecuting as well as defending actions involving breach ...
Nathan W. Austin is a principal in the Sacramento, California, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He joined the firm in 2006. Nathan's practice consists of defending employment matters in state and federal courts, arbitrations and administrative proceedings. He also defends management in litigation involving wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, breach of contract, wage and hour, benefits and other employment-related actions. In addition, Nathan provides training for managers and employ...
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