Littler

257 Best Lawyers awards

Littler logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Employment Law - Management Litigation - Labor and Employment

Biography

Jonathan Shapiro has extensive experience in employment, labor and employee benefits law and litigation. He represents employers before state and federal courts across the country in complex wage-and hour class and collective actions and cases that involve discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination and other employment matters.

Jonathan has defended executives in white-collar criminal investigations and litigation. In addition, he counsels employers on various issues concerning employment law compliance and managing a workforce, including:

  • Wage and hour compliance and exemption classification
  • Payroll practices and personnel policies and practices
  • Hiring and termination of employees
  • Audits and investigations
  • Employment agreements and severance packages for executives
    Littler

    257 Best Lawyers awards

    Littler logo

    Overview

    • Duke University, Juris Doctor, graduated 1987

    • Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Bar
    • Maine, Maine Bar
    • Massachusetts, Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers of the SJC
    • New York, New York State Bar
    • District of Columbia, District of Columbia Bar

    • American Bar Association - Member
    • Maine State Bar Association - Member
    • Massachusetts Bar Association - Member
    • New York State Bar Association - Member

    • USDC, District of Maine
    • USDC, Eastern District of New York
    • USDC, Southern District of New York
    • USDC, District of Massachusetts
    • USDC, District of Columbia
    • Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Bar
    • Maine, Maine Bar
    • Massachusetts, Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers of the SJC
    • New York, New York State Bar
    • District of Columbia, District of Columbia Bar
    • American Bar Association - Member
    • Maine State Bar Association - Member
    • Massachusetts Bar Association - Member
    • New York State Bar Association - Member
    • Duke University, Juris Doctor, graduated 1987
    • USDC, District of Maine
    • USDC, Eastern District of New York
    • USDC, Southern District of New York
    • USDC, District of Massachusetts
    • USDC, District of Columbia

    Client Testimonials

    Having worked with a variety of law firms through the years, my experience with Jonathan Shapiro has been outstanding. He is just a wealth of information and can break down complex issues into understandable components, which certainly makes the decision-making process easier.

    Tom Whipple (Marketron Broadcast Solutions)

    Hailey, IN

    Jonathan Shapiro is responsive, thorough, consistent, and a very good listener.

    Steve VanThournout (EMC Publishing)

    St. Paul, MN

    Jonathan Shapiro did a great job working for us. He helped us with a complicated and emotional matter. He was able to represent our corporation effectively and ethically despite the fact that our own management was divided over strategy. Our counterparty intentionally created a chaotic situation. Mr. Shapiro was able to provide clear and concise analysis of the situation and zealously advocated for the interests of our company. Mr. Shapiro earned our respect and gratitude.

    Buckley McAllister (McAllister Towing & Transportation Co.Inc.)

    New York, NY

    Jonathan Shapiro is top notch -- professional, knowledgeable, and reasonable.

    I have managed large businesses for two Fortune 200 companies over the past 23 years and Jonathan Shapiro is by far the best employment lawyer I've ever seen.

    Jonathan Shapiro is one of the most knowledgeable and responsive attorneys with whom I have ever had the privilege of working. He demonstrates his mastery of labor and employment law on a daily basis. However, in addition to providing clear and concise answers to legal questions, he also provides creative and practical solutions to complex business challenges. Jonathan is more than just a legal resource to our business; he is a trusted partner and advisor.

    Jonathan Shapiro is our primary resource at Fisher & Phillips. Our entire HR management team has found him to be an extremely accomplished and knowledgeable resource for all employment matters. He is responsive, thorough, and has a very approachable and pleasant personality. I would recommend Jonathan to other colleagues without hesitation.

    Susan D'Agostino (Harris Connect LLC)

    Brewster, NY

    He is one of the most responsive and knowledgeable attorneys we deal with in any area of practice, and he demonstrates great common and business sense in his advice. He is a model for the effective lawyer.

    Jonathan Shapiro is a superb business partner. As an HR professional, it is so important to have a trusted resource to help navigate the complex laws associated with employment. Jonathan has always given wonderful advice, helped me understand the options available, and protected the company when we are going down the wrong path. He is patient, responsive (available 24/7), with the highest level of integrity. I have worked in HR for over 25 years and Jonathan is the best employment attorney I have ever had the privilege of working with.

    Pam Bilash (onTargetjobs, Inc.)

    We use Jonathan Shapiro on all types of human resources matters. Jon is very knowledgeable of all aspects of employment law. He provides excellent guidance and coaching to us when we have situations in which we have little experience. He can succinctly describe the company's defensive objectives and strategy and explain how plaintiffs and judges will view our positions. Above all, Jon is available; he doesn't pass us off to subordinates. Bottom line: We always think to call Jon whenever we have a sticky employment issue.

    James Afdahl (EMC Publishing)

    St. Paul, MN

    Jonathan is very easy to deal with. His fees seem to be very reasonable, and he is very open and honest in offering advice.

    Stephen Bradshaw (Wilks Broadcasting)

    Alpharetta, GA

    I have my own HR outsourcing company and work with Mr. Shapiro in his role as employment counsel to one of my largest clients. I have always been impressed with how Mr. Shapiro and other members of his firm respond promptly and efficiently to all requests. I have a great deal of confidence in his knowledge and experience in the area of employment law. Mr. Shapiro combines his legal knowledge with a practical understanding of how to make things work on the business level. He is extremely efficient with how he spends his time on client matters. He is a pleasure to work with.

    Susan Kreeger (RealHR Solutions)

    New York, NY

    Our Company is a small publicly traded medical device manufacturer, which operates primarily in the U.S. and Canada. On an ongoing basis we deal with several law firms for our particular needs. Mr. Shapiro's support for our Company has ranged from employment issues to supplier contract negotiations. At all times, Mr. Shapiro has proven to be extremely knowledgeable, and efficient to work with. John is always mindful of the most cost-effective manner to deal with an issue. I wish I could say the same for the other firms we work with.

    Leonard Simak (Footmaxx Holdings Inc.)

    Goffstown, NH

    Awards & Focus

    Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2014 - Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2012 - Litigation - Labor and Employment
    Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
    • Employment Law - Management, Portland-ME (2014)
    • Litigation - Labor and Employment, Portland-ME (2012)
    Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
    • Employment Law - Management
    • Litigation - Labor and Employment
    Additional Areas of Practice:
    • Trade Secrets Law
    Special Focus:
    • Civil Rights
    • Covenants Not to Compete
    • COVID-19
    • Defense
    • Discrimination
    • Employee Benefits
    • Hospitality
    • Litigation
    • Management
    • State and Federal
    • Trade Secrets
    • Wrongful Discharge
    Awards:
    • Named, Super Lawyer New England Super Lawyers
    • Named, International Who's Who of Management Labour and Employment Lawyers Who's Who Legal
    • Named, America's Leading Lawyers for Business Chambers USA

    Additional Information

    • Other Court Admissions
    • U.S. District Court, District of Maine
    • U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York

      Your browser is not fully compatible with our automatic printer friendly formatting.

      Please use the print button to print this profile page.

      Spinning circle Big letter B