Posts
June 10 2019
Peter B. Cohen, a member of the Firm, specializes in the areas of employee benefits, executive compensation, employment and fiduciary law. With more than 35 years of practice, Mr. Cohen has had extensive experience in all aspects of employee benefits, including the drafting, implementation, operation and termination of all types of pension and welfare benefit plans; business transactions and reorganizations; fiduciary responsibility; prohibited transactions and exemptions; plan qualification; plan administration, reporting and disclosure and employee communications; regulatory compliance under the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA; IRS and DOL audits; participant claims and litigation; and funding and investment of ERISA plan assets. In the area of executive compensation, Mr. Cohen’s experience spans the full spectrum of executive compensation and benefit planning and implementation, including employment agreements, deferred and equity-based compensation, option plans, supplemental retirement plans, severance arrangements, incentive and performance compensation programs, as well as financing techniques and funding arrangements. Mr. Cohen also regularly counsels employers and employees in connection with discrimination, harassment and wrongful termination claims.
Mr. Cohen received his undergraduate degree from the University of Vermont in 1977, his J.D. from New England School of Law in 1982, and an LL.M. in Taxation from Boston University in 1983. He has previously practiced with the firms of Reid & Priest, Weinstein Smith LLP, White & Case LLP and Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP.
June 10 2019
Amanda M. Fugazy, a member of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, is head of the firm’s Labor & Employment Law Group and co-head of the firm’s Hospitality Practice Group. As such, Ms. Fugazy represents businesses (both for-profit and not-for-profit) and executives in litigation, arbitration and mediation, and provides counseling and preventative education with regard to wage-hour compliance, discrimination, harassment, labor relations, leave laws, internal investigations, contracts, manuals, and severance agreements.
Ms. Fugazy is one of the most experienced practitioners in New York in the highly litigated area of wage and hour law, having litigated dozens of federal and state court cases involving claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act and the New York Labor Law. Because of her experience in this area, Ms. Fugazy was invited by the mediation office of the Federal Court for the Southern District of New York to teach on wage and hour laws, and has been named one of the “Top Women in Metro NY Foodservice & Hospitality” by Total Food Service magazine every year since 2017.
One of Ms. Fugazy’s strengths is valuing and resolving cases. As such, Ms. Fugazy also serves as a mediator, and has successfully resolved many cases privately and by appointment through the Federal Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
Ms. Fugazy also has extensive experience in developing and delivering custom tailored management and employee-training seminars, and is routinely asked to serve as guest speaker by trade groups on a variety of employment related topics, including, but not limited to, illegal harassment, hiring, disciplining, firing, exterritorial application of US employment laws, wage hour compliance, employment discrimination, interviewing, family medical leave, administering a collective bargaining agreement, and matters pertaining to unions.
Ms. Fugazy is admitted to practice in multiple jurisdictions, and received her J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law.
Ms. Fugazy is proud to serve on Executive Council of The Alumni Association for The George Washington University (B.A.) and on the Board of Trustees for Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts.
Amanda M. FugazyRated by Super Lawyersloading …
Representative Recent/Upcoming Speaking Engagements
Corporate Counsel Institute
NYS Bar Association
November 9, 2023NYS Restaurant Association Leadership Symposium
NYS Restaurant Association
November 6, 2023We’ve come this far: What’s the next challenge?
HUB International, NYSRA and EGS
September 20, 2023Disability Accessibility for Websites and Places of Public Accommodation
EGS
September 19, 2023Family Leave and Providing Reasonable Accommodation in New York City
EGS
June 20, 2023We’ve come this far: What’s the next challenge?
HUB International, NYSRA and EGS
June 7, 2023Restaurant Law – Labor and Employment Considerations
NYC Bar Association
May 10, 2023Wage & Hour Update
Cornell HR in Hospitality
May 2, 2023Where Do We Go From Here: Hospitality Trends, Concerns & FAQ’s
HUB International, NYSRA and EGS
March 9, 2023Leaves and Accommodations for NYC Employee with Mental Health Conditions
Women in Hospitality
NYS Restaurant Association
March 8, 2023NYS Bar Association – Annual Meeting – Hot Issues in Wage-hour Law
NYS Bar Association
January 20, 2023Employment Law Basics for Restaurant Operators & Managers
EGS
January 18, 2023Where Do We Go From Here: Hospitality Trends, Concerns & FAQ’s
HUB International, NYSRA and EGS
December 1, 2022Where Do We Go From Here: Hospitality Trends, Concerns & FAQ’s
HUB International, NYSRA and EGS
September 21, 2022Where Do We Go From Here: 8.0- Hospitality Trends, Concerns & FAQ’s
HUB International, NYSRA and EGS
August 10, 2022Cornell Tipping Policies
HR in Hospitality Conference
June 14, 2022Restaurant Law – Labor and Employment Considerations
NYC Bar Association
June 1, 2022Where Do We Go From Here: 7.0- Hospitality Trends, Concerns & FAQ’s
HUB International, NYSRA and EGS
May 10, 2022HR Legal Update
Just now Solutions
March 9, 2022Employment Law Institute – Wage & Hour
NYC Bar Association
March 4, 2022Where Do We Go From Here: 6.0- Hospitality Trends, Concerns & FAQ’s
HUB International, NYSRA and EGS
February 10, 2022Where Do We Go From Here: 5.0- Hospitality Trends, Concerns & FAQ’s
HUB International, NYSRA and EGS
December 1, 2021Breaking Down the OSHA Vaccination Mandate and 80/20/30 Tip Credit DOL Regulation: What Restaurants Need to Know
EGS Client Webinar
November 23, 2021DOL 80/20/30 Federal Rule Changes
NYS Restaurant Association
November 19, 2021DOL 80/20/30 Federal Rule Changes
ROAR
November 10, 2021Compliance Amidst the Pandemic 3.0 (Roundtable Discussion)
Philanthropy New York
November 2, 20219th Corporate Counsel Institute: Best Practices – Hot Topics
NYSBA
October 28, 2021Not-For-Profit Employment Law Update
EGS Client Webinar
October 19, 2021Where Do We Go From Here 4.0
HUB International, NYSRA and EGS
September 21, 2021Strategies For The Hospitality Industry In Negotiating And Drafting Event Contracts Post Covid-19
EGS Client Webinar
June 29, 2021Reopening, Hybrid work and Why are the Guidelines Constantly Changing? Aaaaarrrrgh!
Philanthropy New York
June 23, 2021Get Ready to Party Like it’s 2021: Hosting Private Events in the COVID-19 Era
EGS Client Webinar
May 3 and 12 2021Where Do We Go From Here 3.0
HUB International, NYSRA and EGS
May 10, 2021Compliance Amidst the Pandemic
Philanthropy New York
April 7, 2021Preparing For the New Hospitality Normal
Bayside Business Association
March 24, 2021Where Do We Go From Here 2.0
HUB International, NYSRA and EGS
February 9, 2021Minimizing Restaurants’ Legal Liability in 2021: COVID-19 Considerations & Beyond
EGS Client Webinar
January 26, 2021Employment/Wage & Hour Mediation Training:
New York County Lawyers Association
August 11, 12 and 14, 2020FLSA /NYLL Issues for the Hospitality Industry
EGS
July 13, 2020Preparing For the New Hospitality Normal
HUB International
June 23, 2020New York Restaurant Reopening: Compliance Considerations
EGS
June 15, 2020New York Office Reopening: Compliance Considerations
EGS
June 11, 2020COVID-19 Employment Concerns & CARES ACT for Employers
Chamber of Commerce
April 28, 2020Hospitality Wage & Hour Seminar: FLSA & New York Labor Law Issues in Restaurants
EGS Client Webinar
April 23, 2020COVID-19 Employment Concerns & CARES ACT for Employers
City of Glen Cove
April 6, 2020What You Should Know About Emergency Sick Leave and The Corona Virus Stimulus Package
Vanguard Insurance
April 2, 2020Outsourcing Restaurant Delivery & Staffing: Pros, Cons & Liabilities
HUB International
February 12, 2020Harassment and Anti-Discrimination Training
Philanthropy New York
January 28, 2020What You May Have Missed In 2019 and What Should Be On Your Radar In 2020
EGS
January 23, 2020Hot Topics in Labor & Employment Law
NYSBA Corporate Counsel Institute
October 17, 2019Opening a Restaurant in New York City: Legal Issue Bootcamp
NYC Bar Association
May 17, 2019Employment Law Legal Update
HRPANO
May 16, 2019A Road Map: Revisiting Arbitration Agreements in Light of Epic
New York State Bar Association
January 18, 20192019 Outlook: Navigating the Current Landscape of Complex Hospitality Exposures
HUB International
January 17, 2019The Anatomy of an Age Discrimination Case
New York County Lawyers Association
December 4, 2018Hospitality: Tipped Employees, Tip Pooling, Service Charges/Banquets
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
November 15, 2018TimesUp: Learning From #MeToo & Building An Anti-Harassment Practice For Your Org
Humentum 2018 Annual Conference
July 26, 2018How to Handle a Discrimination Case
New York County’s Lawyers Association
June 13, 2018Employment Arbitration after Murphy Oil: Charting the Future Course of Class Actions
American Arbitration Association, NY Law School & Cornell Scheinman Institute Conference
May 23, 2018Wage & Hour MythBusters
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
April 25, 2018Hospitality Spotlight: What’s Trending in Wage and Hour Claims
HUB International
April 9, 2018Restaurant Employment Law Compliance: A Guide to 2018 NYS Changes
Valiant Payroll Sponsored Webinar
March 8, 2018Learning From #MeToo – Building An Anti-Harassment Practice For Your Foundation
Philanthropy New York
February 23, 2018Issues In Social Media
HUB International
October 2, 2017New York Paid Family Leave Benefits Law
Humentum HR Roundtable
September 19, 2017Updates in Employment Law
InsideNGO- HR Roundtable
September 19, 2017Employment Law 101 For The Non-Employment Lawyer
Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C.
July 25, 2017Hiring & Vetting: How Well Are You Checking?
InsideNGO
March 16, 2017Restaurant Management Employment Law Overview
The NYS Restaurant Association & HUB International
November 2016Paying Non-Exempt Employees For Travel & Events
InsideNGO
July 2016Getting To Great: Building a Better Intern, Fellow, and Skills-Based Volunteer Program
InsideNGO Annual Conference
July 2016Updates in Employment Law
InsideNGO- HR Roundtable
June 2016How To Handle A Discrimination Case
New York County’s Lawyers Association
May 2015Representative Recent Publications
Restaurant Assistant Managers and Sous Chefs Lawsuits Are On The Rise
Total Food Service, April 2018
Have Your Voice Heard In The Battle to Keep the Tip Credit
The NYS Restaurant Association E-magazine and Total Food Service, February 2018
Understanding Sexual Harassment In The Restaurant Workplace
Total Food Service, January 2018
Creating A Strategy To Comply With NY’s Pay Stub Mandates
Total Food Service, November 2017October 02 2023
Gregg Kligman, a member of the Firm’s Labor & Employment practice group, focuses on management side employment litigation and counseling. Mr. Kligman’s practice includes defending clients in federal and state courts, before administrative agencies and in arbitration and mediation in cases alleging discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour violations, and other employment related claims, including class action litigation. Mr. Kligman regularly counsels clients of all sizes, from family businesses to multinational corporations, across the spectrum of employment issues from pre-hire to termination, including recruiting, responding to harassment and discrimination issues, advising on managing leaves of absence, wage and hour compliance and benefits and drafting and reviewing policies and handbooks. Mr. Kligman also assists clients with risk assessment and due diligence in connection with wage and hour matters and corporate acquisitions, advising clients on potential exposure based upon the incoming company’s employment practices.
While Mr. Kligman’s representation spans many industries including manufacturing, retail and professional service providers, Mr. Kligman has developed a focus representing clients in the hospitality and restaurant industries including multi-venue restaurant groups, fine dining establishments, fast casual restaurants, coffee shops and bars. Mr. Kligman’s experience with the hospitality and restaurant industries allows him to advise these businesses to ensure compliance with their unique wage and hour regulations and the complex issues they face as both an employer and a provider of services to the general public.
Throughout the pandemic, the hospitality and restaurant industry has suffered severely. Mr. Kligman’s employment law background, due diligence and frequent communication aided many of the firm’s clients, but his greatest impact was on our hospitality clients during their time of need and support. The support he provided included assistance initially in advising on layoffs of employees and then onboarding employees in the new work environment, updating workplace policies to ensure compliance with new obligations related to COVID-19, and ensuring wage and hour compliance in the face of new staffing models.
Prior to joining Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, Mr. Kligman was associated with the Firms Meister Seelig & Fein PLLC; Fox Rothschild LLP; and Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck LLP.
Mr. Kligman is a graduate of Cornell University and New York Law School. Mr. Kligman is admitted to practice before the courts of the States or New York and New Jersey and the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the District of New Jersey. Mr. Kligman has been selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2015, 2016 and 2017 and was a Long Island Business News Leadership in Law Honoree in 2020.
June 10 2019
Paul P. Rooney, a member of the Firm, specializes in employment law and civil litigation, and has nearly 20 years of experience in the field.Mr. Rooney advises clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, drafts employment agreements, handbooks, and policies, and performs employment-related corporate due diligence. His cases have included numerous collective actions under The Fair Labor Standards Act, and claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, The New York State and City Human Rights Laws, The New York Labor Law, ERISA, and The Family and Medical Leave Act. Mr. Rooney has also litigated cases involving covenants not to compete, claims of breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty, and defamation.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Rooney was a founding partner of Fugazy & Rooney LLP (2007-2013) and was an Associate and Counsel at Reed Smith LLP (2000-2007). Paul is admitted to practice in the States of New York and Delaware, the United States Courts of Appeals for the Second and Third Circuits, and the United States District Courts for the Southern, Northern and Eastern Districts of New York and the District of Delaware.
Paul received his B.A. from Wesleyan University with High Honors and his J.D. from The College of William & Mary.
February 01 2021
Jennifer Schmalz, a member of the Firm, specializes in labor and employment law. She has successfully litigated cases involving employment discrimination, wrongful termination, breach of contract, labor law and wage and hour violations. She provides ADA Title III litigation defense and counseling services to businesses operating in hospitality, retail, transportation and other places of public accommodation. Her experience includes representing clients before state and federal trial and appellate courts, as well as AAA, JAMS and private arbitration panels. She also represents employers in proceedings before the US Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and many state and local administrative agencies.
She enjoys working with clients in a wide variety of industries including hospitality, real estate, transportation, retail, maritime, financial services, health care, manufacturing, technology and not-for-profit corporations. An important component of her practice involves preventative advice and business planning. Ms. Schmalz has provided employers with training in current workplace issues including the prevention of discrimination and harassment and providing reasonable accommodations in the workplace. She also has experience working with matters involving multiemployer health, pension and welfare funds and has litigated and successfully resolved ERISA matters.
While in law school, Ms. Schmalz was awarded the Jurisprudence Achievement Award in Labor Law and she served as a judicial extern at the National Labor Relations Board’s Division of Judges in New York City. She has been recognized by Super Lawyers in the area of Labor & Employment in the New York Metro area.
She also serves as a Trustee of the Putnam History Museum and the Desmond-Fish Public Library.
Memberships
American Bar Association
District of Columbia Bar AssociationEducation
- University of Michigan (B.A.)
- Michigan State University (J.D.)
Bar Admissions
- New York State
- District of Columbia
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
Rated by Super Lawyersloading …
February 02 2024
Harrison Taylor, counsel to the Firm, focuses in the areas of executive compensation, employee benefits, and ERISA. Mr. Taylor’s experience includes counseling clients on executive compensation and employee benefits aspects of mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, and other transactions. Mr. Taylor also regularly assists clients in designing and implementing employment, severance, deferred compensation, and equity incentive compensation arrangements.
Mr. Taylor’s practice also includes representing public companies in preparing proxy materials and securities filings related to executive compensation matters.
Mr. Taylor has broad experience with both defined contribution and defined benefit plans. He works extensively with clients on plan compliance, the negotiation of administrative services agreements and other vendor contracts, governance and fiduciary issues, and the administration of claims and appeals.
Prior to joining Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, Mr. Taylor worked at several international law firms.
Education
- University of South Carolina (B.S.)
- University of Virginia (J.D)
Bar Admissions
- Arizona
- California
- North Carolina
- Texas (inactive)