Johnston Lykos, LLC

Johnston Lykos, LLC was founded by Colleen Ramage Johnston and Nikki Velisaris Lykos. The firm exclusively focuses its practice in the area of employment law, primarily on the employee-side. Johnston Lykos handles all types of employment matters ranging from litigating illegal harassment, discrimination and retaliation cases in court to counselling clients and negotiating separatation packages. Johnston Lykos has extensive experience handling age,  sex, gender, pregnancy, race, national origin, religious and disability discrimination claims, in addition to Family and Medical Act cases, Equal Pay Act cases, unemployment compensation matters, wage disputes, whistleblower claims, and issues with non-compete, non-disclosures and executive employment matters. The firm is located in Pittsburgh, PA.

Employees often face situations with their employers that can create a sense of powerlessness and uncertainty. Whether it be negotiating an employee contract, handling conflicts that arise during the employment relationship or addressing issues involving an employee's separation, Johnston Lykos is here to help. However difficult the situation, the lawyers of Johnston Lykos will address issues of discrimination, harrassment, termination and other employment challenges with a sympathetic ear and a strong voice.

Johnston Lykos adheres to a set of principles that guides our relationship with our clients. We establish trust built through communication, accessibility and commitment to results.  We are well aware that battles are won through action. But many are lost through lack of understanding. So before we act, we listen. Together with our clients, we define goals, strategies and possible outcomes for each unique circumstance. Through listening, we achieve understanding of our clients' positions and consider the legal, financial and personal implications of a course of action to gain the trust on which successful relationships are built. One of the frustrating aspects of legal matters can be the need for immediate response. So we make a promise to our clients. We’re available. We return calls promptly. Leading edge technology enables communication on an ongoing basis, avoiding delays and missed opportunities. We ensure that our clients are kept up to date and understand each step of the legal process. In some cases, the best deterrent to conflict is a willingness to confront it. Johnston Lykos is committed to results. Our successful resolution of cases has provided a level of confidence that is not easily shaken. We take representation of our clients seriously and are not easily intimidated or dissuaded. In short, we’re aggressive when the need arises.

Colleen Ramage Johnston represents plaintiffs in litigation involving employment matters including age, gender, race, disability and retaliation discrimination as well as claims under the Family Medical Leave Act, the Equal Pay Act and related Constitutional claims. She earned her B.A. from Dickinson College and completed her J.D. at the Duquesne University School of Law, where she was an editor for the magazine, Juris.​ She is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, a Fellow of the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County where she serves as Vice President and a Fellow of Litigation Counsel of America.  Colleen is a Past Chair of the Labor and Employment Section of the Allegheny County Bar Association. She is a former Council Member of the ACBA Federal Court Section and served on the ACBA Federal Court Local Rules Committee in 2015. Colleen is also a member of the Third Federal Circuit, the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) and the Western Pennsylvania Employment Lawyers Association (WPELA). She is also a past president of the Duquesne University Law Alumni Association. She was recognized by the The Legal Intelligencer and Pennsylvania Law Weekly in their "The Women of Year" 2008 publication for her federal jury verdict which resulted in a judgment of nearly $3 million for 12 teachers who were paid less because of their age and gender by a local school district. Another of her federal court jury trials yielded a favorable verdict of over $3 million against the area's largest health care system on behalf of a physician due to illegal retaliation. Colleen has also received several other substantial verdicts in single-plaintiff and multi-plaintiff cases.  She is a regular speaker for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and has appeared as a guest lecturer on the topic of employment law at the Duquesne University's Graduate School of Business, Duquesne University's School of Law and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Colleen was selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®, been certified as a member of the Million Dollar and Multi Million Dollar Advocates Forum®, The Top Trial Lawyers in America®, been selected as a top employment lawyer by Law Dragon, been rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale Hubbell and been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer. Colleen is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and all Pennsylvania state courts.

Nikki Velisaris Lykos represents individuals in litigation involving age, gender, disability and retaliation discrimination as well as claims under the Family Medical Leave Act and Equal Pay Act. Nikki also advises individuals and closely-held and family-owned businesses on all aspects of the employment relationship, including employment agreements, non-competition agreements, wage and hour compliance, and drafting and implementing employment policies and handbooks. Nikki is a regular speaker for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and has appeared as a guest lecturer on the topic of employment law at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. She is a mediator for the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Nikki holds a B.S. in Finance and a B.A. in Journalism from Penn State University. She earned her MBA from Duquesne University and her J.D. from Duquesne University's School of Law.​She is a Fellow in the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County and a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association where she serves on the Labor and Employment Section Council.  Nikki also serves on the Duquesne Law Alumni Association Board of Governors and is a member of the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) and the Western Pennsylvania Employment Lawyers Association (WPELA). Nikki was selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®, is rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale Hubbell, named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer Rising Star, certified a member of the Million Dollar and Multi Million Dollar Advocates Forum® in 2017.​Nikki is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and all Pennsylvania state courts.