Posts
June 10 2019
Valerie J. Bluth is a member of the Labor & Employment practice group. Ms. Bluth’s labor and employment practice is wide-ranging, as she guides businesses on employment-related issues from employee onboarding through post-termination disputes.
In that regard, Ms. Bluth regularly advises clients regarding employment discrimination and harassment, wage and hour compliance, employment policies and practices, unemployment insurance and Workers’ Compensation claims, internal investigations, reasonable accommodations, leave of absence management, terminations and disciplinary actions, labor-management relations, grievance processing, collective bargaining agreement interpretation and application, alternative dispute resolution and a variety of other workplace issues, including for clients with operations in multiple states and in connection with corporate transactions. Ms. Bluth also routinely drafts employment, restrictive covenant and non-disclosure agreements as well as employment policies and employee handbooks, and develops and presents training programs for managers and staff regarding various principles of workplace law.
Additionally, an experienced litigator, Ms. Bluth defends employers against all types of employment claims asserted in federal and state courts, arbitrations, and administrative proceedings. She also represents clients in traditional labor matters, including labor arbitrations and National Labor Relations Board proceedings.
Ms. Bluth has represented and advised both small businesses and large corporations, in both unionized and non-unionized settings, in the hospitality, security, financial services, startup, real estate, analytics, advertising, publishing, automotive, retail, information technology, performing and visual arts, construction, luxury brand, cosmetics, journalism, and healthcare industries, among others, as well as in the nonprofit, education and municipal sectors.
Above all, Ms. Bluth works tirelessly to ensure clients are in compliance with an ever-changing landscape of federal, state and local employment laws, especially with respect to pay practices and employment policies, and to devise practical solutions for any employment problems that might arise.
Ms. Bluth is also a regular speaker on employment-related topics at hospitality industry webinars and has served as a panelist for employment-related CLE classes.
Ms. Bluth received her Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and her Juris Doctor degree from Fordham Law School. Ms. Bluth is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey, as well as the United States District Courts for the Southern District of New York, Eastern District of New York, and District of New Jersey.
February 27 2024
Benedetta Bortoluzzi is an associate in the Firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group. She advises clients – including Italian companies – on compliance matters and a wide range of employment-related issues. Ms. Bortoluzzi also represents both small businesses and large corporations in employment law litigation.
Ms. Bortoluzzi is fluent in Italian, Spanish, English, and French.
Ms. Bortoluzzi is admitted to practice in New York. She received her LL.M. degree from Fordham University School of Law, and her Italian Law degree (Laurea in Giurisprudenza) from LUISS Guido Carli School of Law (Rome, Italy).
July 10 2024
Caitlin Breen is an associate in the Labor & Employment practice group. Her practice spans a broad range of employment matters throughout all phases of litigation, including wage and hour matters, employment discrimination, retaliation, and other employment related claims. Ms. Breen assists clients with employment issues, including drafting workplace policies and handbooks and advising regarding compliance with federal and state employment laws. Ms. Breen has traditional labor law experience, handling labor arbitrations and providing advice involving the application and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements. Prior to joining Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, Ms. Breen represented employers at a New York based law firm as an associate in the Labor and Employment group.
Ms. Breen began her career as an Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office, prosecuting a caseload of misdemeanor and felony matters. Following her time as a prosecutor, Ms. Breen served as the Court Law Clerk for the Eastern District of New York, where she participated in a program aimed at reducing case backlogs across the Eastern District of New York. From there, Ms. Breen worked as an Agency Attorney in the Office of Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining for the New York City Department of Education.
Ms. Breen holds a J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law, where she was a member of the St. John’s Law Review. Ms. Breen is an adjunct professor at Cardozo School of Law where she teaches Lawyering and Legal Writing.
Education
St. John’s University School of Law (J.D.)
Fordham University (B.A.)Bar Admissions
New York
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New YorkMay 30 2023
Nicola Ciliotta is an associate in the Firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group. His expansive labor and employment practice encompasses everything from representing employers in courts and other forums, to advising businesses on all aspects of the employment relationship.
Mr. Ciliotta has significant experience representing clients in state and federal court, arbitration forums, and before various government agencies, in disputes involving claims of discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, hostile work environment, wage and hour violations, contractual violations, and other employment-related matters.
Mr. Ciliotta’s practice also consists of conducting management and employee training programs, performing internal investigations, and advising businesses on compliance with the constantly evolving federal/state/local labor laws, and collective bargaining agreements. He also regularly prepares employment materials for businesses, including company handbooks and policies, employment/non-compete/separation agreements, and training materials for managers and staff.
Mr. Ciliotta is fluent in Spanish and has extensive experience working with Spanish-speaking clients.
Prior to joining Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, Mr. Ciliotta represented businesses on all aspects of the employment relationship at a national firm. Prior to that, Mr. Ciliotta litigated labor and employment disputes on behalf of both employers and employees at a New York-based labor & employment boutique law firm.
Mr. Ciliotta has been selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Nicola CiliottaRated by Super Lawyersloading …
June 10 2019
Peter B. Cohen, a member of the Firm since 2011, specializes in the areas of employee benefits, executive compensation, employment and fiduciary law. With more than 40 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 received his undergraduate degree from the University of Vermont in 1977, his J.D. from New England Law in 1982, and an LL.M. in Taxation from Boston University in 1983. He is a member in good standing of the New York bar and has previously practiced with the firms of DiFabio, Tommaney and Legnard, 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 serves on the Executive Board of Ally Law, a prominent global legal network with 75 member firms in 60 countries.
Ms. Fugazy is admitted to practice in multiple jurisdictions, and received her J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law.
Rated by Super Lawyers
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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 2017May 22 2025
Sean Galvin, an associate in the Firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group, represents employers in a variety of employment litigation matters, including wage and hour class and representative actions under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), as well as claims involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination. Mr. Galvin has experience handling all phases of litigation, from responding to administrative complaints to drafting pleadings, conducting discovery, taking depositions, and participating in settlement negotiations, arbitrations, and trials.
Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Galvin served as in-house Legal Counsel at a medical device manufacturer, where he supported the company’s technology and operations functions. In that role, he advised internal stakeholders on employment matters and compliance, deepening his understanding of in-house business needs and risk mitigation strategies. Before that, he worked in litigation and antitrust counseling at an international law firm, bringing a strong analytical foundation to his current practice.
Mr. Galvin earned his J.D. from NYU School of Law and holds a dual undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Portland. A Southern California resident by way of Anchorage, Alaska, Mr. Galvin enjoys spending his weekends with his young son, exploring LA’s beaches and trails, and staying curious about the evolving intersection of technology and law.
October 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.
January 31 2024
Linda Guthmann Krieger is a member in the Firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group and Hospitality Group. Ms. Krieger has extensive experience representing clients at trial, arbitration and mediation, and has a record of favorable outcomes. She acts as corporate counsel for several small to medium sized businesses, advising them on day-to-day employment issues. Ms. Krieger has completed training by the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine School of Law and has been a mediator for cases in both state and federal court. Ms. Krieger is also a third-party neutral investigator assisting employers with workplace complaints.
Ms. Krieger is a long-time member of the Settlement Officer Panel for U.S. District Court, Central District of California. In addition, she has been Chair of the Federal Nominations Committee and Chair of the Work and Family Issues Committee for Women Lawyers of Los Angeles. She was the president of Women’s Business Council, part of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, for the 2008-2009 term, and was a board member of the Downtown Long Beach Associates (now Alliance) from 2009-2015. She was also on the board of the Long Beach Bar Foundation and was a board member of Women Lawyers of Long Beach. She is very involved in Bruin Professionals, as well, including their Lawyers Affinity Group. She has also served on the Board of Directors of the Long Beach Bar Association for many years and was the President from 2019-2020.
Ms. Krieger grew up in Chicago, Illinois and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Illinois. She received her Juris Doctor from UCLA, graduating in the top twenty percent of her class. Ms. Krieger recently joined a panel of mediators for the LA Superior Court called MVP – Mediation Volunteer Panel. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, pickleball, movies, community service work, and she loves to travel.
September 22 2025
Jeff Meyer is a member in the Labor & Employment practice group. Mr. Meyer’s practice covers the full spectrum of labor and employment matters exclusively on behalf of employers and business owners of all sizes and sectors. For the past twenty years, Mr. Meyer has developed in-depth knowledge of traditional labor law and has guided management across the United States through all aspects of the union relationship, ranging from union avoidance training and elections, to collective bargaining, to grievance administration and arbitrations, including litigation before the National Labor Relations Board. Mr. Meyer has substantial litigation experience defending against federal and state wage and hour class and collective actions as well as audits and investigations before the U.S. Department of Labor and the New York State Department of Labor. As part of his wage and hour practice, Mr. Meyer has represented a significant number of employers in the hospitality industry, from caterers and food purveyors to restaurant groups and mom and pop establishments, defending against claims of tip misappropriation, unpaid overtime, minimum wage and spread of hours, as well as misclassification.
Mr. Meyer also provides training and guidance to employers in all industries on how best to comply with the federal, state and local labor laws that govern their operations. In addition, Mr. Meyer represents clients before the EEOC, its state and local equivalents and state and federal courts involving claims under Title VII, ADEA, ADA and related state/local anti-discrimination laws. Mr. Meyer’s practice also consists of counseling management on a wide range of day-to-day human resource issues involving onboarding, termination, medical leave, proper pay practices and employee classification.
Mr. Meyer is a graduate of the Bucknell University (1999) and St. John’s University School of Law (2004). Mr. Meyer is admitted to practice before the courts of the State of New York, the United States District Courts for the Southern, Eastern, Western and Northern Districts of New York, the District of New Jersey as well as the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Meyer was selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2012 and Super Lawyers in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
March 23 2023
Steven R. Nevolis, a member of the Firm, practices in the Labor & Employment Practice Group. His practice encompasses a broad spectrum of services for management-side clients, including employment litigation and class actions, employment law compliance counseling, and traditional labor work in unionized work forces. He seeks to serve as an indispensable resource for his clients in analyzing, advising, and resolving any and all matters related to labor and employment law, allowing his clients’ businesses to operate with minimal disruption.
He understands the increasing complexity of legal issues facing employers and the resulting challenges to effectively managing a workforce. To assist his clients, Mr. Nevolis frequently provides advice regarding compliance with various federal, state, and local laws, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Family and Medical Leave Act, New York Labor Law, and the New York State and New York City Human Rights laws.
Mr. Nevolis has extensive experience defending his clients in connection with state and federal court litigations and before various administrative agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the New York State Division of Human Rights. His experience also includes working with clients on complex labor relations matters, including collective bargaining, labor arbitration, and defending against unfair labor practice charges. He also advises clients with respect to non-compete and non-solicitation agreements and will litigate to enforce these agreements and protect his clients’ interest.
Mr. Nevolis was named a 2024 Tomorrow’s Leader by the organization International Employment Lawyer. He has been selected as one of 40 rising stars who will be at the forefront of addressing future labor and employment challenges.
Education
- Seton Hall University School of Law, J.D., 2012, cum laude, Seton Hall Legislative Journal, editor-in chief
- York College of Pennsylvania, B.A., 2009, cum laude
Bar Admissions
- New York, 2013
- New Jersey, 2012
Courts
- 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-District of New Jersey
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
David R. Rothfeld, a member of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, leads the firm’s traditional labor law practice and specializes in the representation of management in negotiating collective bargaining agreements. In this capacity, Mr. Rothfeld serves as Chief Labor negotiator for the Hotel Association of New York City, Inc., and negotiates initial opening and renewal collective bargaining agreements for all types of businesses, including, hotels, restaurants and gaming facilities.
Mr. Rothfeld also provides his management clients:
- Representation at grievance and arbitration proceedings;
- Advice on contract interpretation and compliance;
- Representation before the National Labor Relations Board, in representation proceedings and unfair labor practice proceedings;
- Counsel on a wide range of employment issues, encompassing compliance with applicable local, state and federal employment discrimination, labor, wage-hour and employee benefits laws and regulations.
Additionally, Mr. Rothfeld has conducted numerous seminars for employers, industry groups and trade associations on various labor and employment issues, such as Covid implications, Americans with Disabilities Act, harassment and current workplace issues such as employee discipline, employee privacy and workplace violence. Mr. Rothfeld serves as counsel to Taft-Hartley Pension and Welfare Funds as well.
Mr. Rothfeld represents clients in a myriad of different businesses, with a concentration in the hospitality field, including hotels, restaurants, clubs, catering and gaming facilities. He also represents employers in other industries such as real estate, manufacturing, service industries, schools and not-for-profit organizations.
Mr. Rothfeld is a board member of the Cornell Institute for Hospitality and Labor Relations, and is a frequent participant at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration Round Tables as well as the Law School’s Labor and Employment Law Round Table. He has been selected by his peers to be included in the The Best Lawyers in America in the practice areas of Employment Law, Management and Labor Law and Management. He has also been selected as a “Super Lawyer” for the New York Metropolitan area.
February 01 2021
Jaclyn K. Ruocco is a member in the Firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group. Her practice involves representing management in traditional labor relations, employment counseling, and employment litigation defense, including assisting clients against discrimination claims, sexual harassment claims, wage and hour disputes, and wrongful termination suits under both federal and state laws, including claims brought under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law and the New York City Human Rights Law. Jaclyn has broad experience in negotiating and interpreting labor contracts, conducting management and employee trainings, and devising company policies.
Ms. Ruocco regularly speaks on how to navigate existing and proliferating labor and employment laws and regulations, especially recent COVID-19 government and agency rules and mandates.
Before joining Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, Ms. Ruocco was an associate at Kane Kessler and prior to that, an AmLaw 100 law firm, where she defended clients in complex commercial matters and employment litigations.
While studying at Seton Hall School of Law, Ms. Ruocco was selected to participate in the Seton Hall Center for Social Justice, Civil Litigation Clinic and was ranked third in her class. She interned for the Honorable Dolores K. Sloviter of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and for the Honorable Dennis Cavanaugh of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.
Prior to her legal practice, Ms. Ruocco was the Finance Director of a statewide political party, where she quickly rose as one of the leading party fundraisers. As a result of her work, she has spoken at the Eagleton Institute of Politics on campaign finance and reform.
Ms. Ruocco has been selected as a “Rising Star” in the New York Metro area from 2016- 2019 by Super Lawyers, an annual listing of top-rated attorneys in the United States.
Education
Rutgers University (B.A.)
Seton Hall School of Law (J.D. Magna Cum Laude)
Bar Admissions
New York and New Jersey
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
February 01 2021
Robert L. Sacks is a member of the Firm and practices in the firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group and in all phases of labor and employment on behalf of management, ERISA, principally as applied to multiple and multi-employer plans, trade association law and antitrust.
Mr. Sacks has authored “Rules Creating a Collective Contract Between an Employer and a Union,” for the American Bar Association Section of Labor Relations Law, Committee on Labor Relations and the Law of Collective Bargaining Agreements.
Memberships and Associations
American Bar Association
American Society of Association ExecutivesDesigned the legal and administrative framework used for a multi-employer welfare arrangement in the freelance commercial production industry.
Education
- State University of New York at Buffalo (B.A.)
- Brooklyn Law School (J.D.)
- New York University School of Law (L.L.M. in Trade Regulation)
Bar Admissions
- New York
- U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York
February 01 2021
Alexander Soric, a member of the Firm, practices in the firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group. As a first chair, Mr. Soric represents management in labor relations, including in numerous arbitration hearings, collective bargaining, mediations and in matters before the National Labor Relations Board. Mr. Soric conducts training for managers in labor relations and anti-harassment. He has represented management in several class actions brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Davis-Bacon Act and State wage-hour matters in federal and state courts and in federal, state and local agencies.
Mr. Soric has represented numerous employers in employment discrimination and unfair labor practice matters in federal and state courts and agencies. His experience also includes negotiating and drafting employment agreements, non-compete and separation agreements, drafting personnel policies and counseling clients nationwide on federal, state and city labor, wage-hour and discrimination law compliance. Mr. Soric has represented numerous clients in a wide variety of industries, including casino gaming, telecommunications, hotels, restaurants, private clubs, hospitals, nursing homes, manufacturers, construction contractors, as well as universities and not-for-profits. He has served as court-appointed labor counsel to Receivers for hotels in receivership.
Prior to joining Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, Mr. Soric served as a Courtroom Deputy during law school in the Eastern District of New York, and he was awarded the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Trial Advocacy at Brooklyn Law School. After graduation, Mr. Soric served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Raymond J. Dearie, United States District Judge in the Eastern District of New York.
Memberships and Associations
New York State Bar Association
Member, Eastern District Committee on LitigationRepresentative Engagements
- Obtained dismissal on pre-emption grounds on motion to dismiss overtime and gratuities claims under Fair Labor Standards Act and New York law regarding wages under a collective bargaining agreement.
- Obtained summary judgment on Fair Labor Standards Act overtime claims in Eastern District of New York.
- Defeated motions to compel voluminous discovery in a banquet gratuities class action under New York law.
- Settled class action gratuities claims on favorable terms.
- recently represented a casino in a disability discrimination claim in the Eastern District of New York and obtained settlement on favorable terms.
- recently represented a hotel in a gender discrimination claim before the New York State Division of Human Rights and obtained a no probable cause finding and dismissal.
- recently represented a hotel in an unfair labor practice proceeding before the National Labor Relations Board and obtained a withdrawal of the charge.
Education
- Stony Brook University (B.A.)
- Brooklyn Law School (J.D.)
Bar Admissions
- New York
- U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York
September 12 2025
Rebecca A. Stark is an associate in the Labor & Employment practice group. Her practice involves a wide range of employment litigation, including defense of wage and hour, employment discrimination, retaliation, and harassment claims. She also assists employers with general employment issues, such as drafting workplace policies and advising on compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
Ms. Stark is admitted to practice in New York and in the United States District Courts for the Southern, Eastern, and Northern Districts of New York. She earned her J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law and her B.A. from Binghamton University.
February 01 2021
Joseph Tangredi is a member in the Firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group. Mr. Tangredi’s practice focuses on representing management in traditional labor relations, employment counseling, and employment litigation defense. He has successfully represented management in the hospitality, healthcare, and non-profit industries in labor relations, including in numerous arbitration hearings, mediation, and collective bargaining.
He has extensive experience in defending his clients against discrimination and wage and hour claims brought in federal and state courts and administrative agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the New York State Division of Human Rights. An important piece of his work involves consulting management on how to comply their respective collective bargaining agreements, and federal, state, and local labor laws, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, New York Labor Law, and the New York State and New York City Human Rights Law.
Mr. Tangredi regularly trains clients on navigating complex legal issues that management encounters in the workplace and how to maintain healthy employer-employee relations to minimize workplace disruptions.
Mr. Tangredi has been selected as a Rising Star in the New York Metro area from 2021 – 2024 by Super Lawyers.
Education
- Gettysburg College (B.A., Cum Laude)
- Fordham University School of Law (J.D.)
Bar Admissions
- New York
- United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
Rated by Super Lawyers
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February 02 2024
Harrison Taylor, a member of 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.
May 20 2025
Victor R. Ujkic, an associate of the Firm, has experience representing and advising employees regarding employment law and personal injury claims and suits. Mr. Ujkic has represented employees in all aspects of employment litigation matters ranging from wage and hour actions to discrimination, harassment, whistleblower, and retaliation claims. Mr. Ujkic has represented and assisted employees at all stages of the litigation process including drafting pleadings, conducting discovery, taking depositions, and representing employees at trial. Mr. Ujkic now brings his extensive knowledge on employment related matters to advising and counseling employers and employees alike.
Mr. Ujkic received his Juris Doctor from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from Loyola Marymount University. During his time in law school, Mr. Ujkic earned his certificate in Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine’s esteemed Strauss Institute of Dispute Resolution. After graduating, Mr. Ujkic has devoted the significant majority of his professional practice to employment law.
Mr. Ujkic was born and raised in Southern California, and enjoys visiting the beach and traveling. Mr. Ujkic also enjoys playing basketball in his spare time. He is also an avid sports fan and enjoys supporting teams from both Southern California and other parts of the United States, including the Lakers, Steelers, Angels, and Kings.
January 11 2024
Anthony Vassallo is an associate in the Firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group. He represents management-side clients in a wide range of matters, including traditional labor relations, employment litigation, workplace investigations, and employment law compliance counseling. His practice spans unionized and non-unionized workforces across various industries.
Mr. Vassallo advises employers on the administration and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements and defends management in labor arbitration proceedings, contract grievances, and unfair labor practice charges. He has experience navigating disputes involving discipline, discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour compliance, and workplace harassment.
He also counsels clients on compliance with federal, state, and local labor and employment laws, including the National Labor Relations Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, New York Labor Law, and the New York State and New York City Human Rights Laws. Mr. Vassallo regularly assists employers with managing internal investigations, responding to administrative charges before the EEOC and NYSDHR, and developing proactive strategies to reduce legal exposure.
Mr. Vassallo is admitted to practice in New York and in the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. He earned his J.D. from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University and his B.A. in Political Science from Pennsylvania State University.
June 10 2019
Ilan Weiser is a member in the Labor & Employment practice group. Mr. Weiser exclusively represents businesses of all sizes and sectors on how best to comply with the federal, state and local labor laws that govern their operations. Mr. Weiser’s principal area of expertise is employment law litigation and has vigorously defended hundreds of his clients in federal and state court and before various governmental agencies against claims of employment discrimination and unfair pay practices. Mr. Weiser’s practice also consists of counseling management on a wide range of day-to-day human resource issues involving onboarding, termination, performance management, medical leave, proper pay practices and employee classification. Mr. Weiser also drafts various written policies and employment agreements, such as company handbooks, commission agreements, and non-competition and non-disclosure agreements. Mr. Weiser prides himself on being available to his business clients at all times and provides recommendations and solutions so that they can weigh the benefits and consequences before taking a particular course of action.
Mr. Weiser has particularly in-depth knowledge of wage and hour law and regularly defends and counsels his clients in class and collection action lawsuits concerning claims for unpaid wages. He is a frequent lecturer to owners and operators of hospitality establishments in the New York Tri-state area on how best to comply with certain industry-specific issues such as tip misappropriation, exemptions from overtime and minimum wages, as well as properly addressing claims of workplace harassment with the goal of avoiding litigation altogether. Mr. Weiser is also the Chair of the Labor & Employment Subcommittee of the New York City Bar Association Hospitality Committee.
Prior to joining Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, Mr. Weiser represented businesses at a New York-based labor & employment boutique. In the early stages of his legal career, Mr. Weiser represented employees in labor & employment matters and brings a unique perspective to his business clients in that he has experience both prosecuting and defending employment matters.
Mr. Weiser is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Hofstra University School of Law, and is a fluent Spanish speaker and proficient in Hebrew. Mr. Weiser is admitted to practice before the courts of the State of New York, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. Mr. Weiser has been selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
January 08 2025
Eric O. Zeiger, a member of the Firm, has extensive experience advising and representing employers in employment-related matters, including day-to-day compliance, pre-litigation claims, and active lawsuits. Mr. Zeiger has defended employers in all aspects of employment litigation matters ranging from wage and hour class and PAGA actions to discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims. Mr. Zeiger has represented and assisted employers at all stages of the litigation process including responding to pre-litigation administrative claims, drafting pleadings, conducting discovery, taking depositions, and representing employers at trial or arbitration. Mr. Zeiger also works closely with clients to implement handbook policies and practices that help employers avoid engaging in costly litigation.
Mr. Zeiger received his Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law and his Bachelor of Science from California Lutheran University. During his time in law school, Mr. Zeiger served as Vice President of the Labor and Employment Society.
As a southern California native, Mr. Zeiger enjoys taking advantage of the weather by visiting the beach and hiking with his wife and daughter. Mr. Zeiger is also an avid sports fan and enjoys supporting many of the local Los Angeles teams including the Lakers, Rams, Dodgers, and Kings.