Nixon Peabody LLP

199 Best Lawyers awards

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Awarded Practice Areas

Employment Law - Management Labor Law - Management Litigation - Labor and Employment
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Rochester, NY.

Biography

Todd Shinaman is counsel in the Labor & Employment practice group. He has over 25 years of experience in counseling and representing employers of all sizes in all aspects of labor and employment law and litigation.

What do you focus on?

I have experience in virtually all aspects of labor and employment law, but I have focused recently on several main areas of practice.

Wage-hour class action litigation

I have led, or participated on, a team of other experienced class action litigators to defend numerous high stakes wage-hour class actions, including obtaining the dismissal of such claims and successfully arguing to uphold dismissals at the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. We have also succeeded in denying or limiting class certifications, significantly reducing potential liability.

Defense of discrimination claims

I have aggressively and successfully defended numerous discrimination cases of all types, including through trial. I have also negotiated many favorable settlements, satisfying the clients’ goal of resolving a matter expeditiously and efficiently. I regularly represent clients before state and federal administrative agencies and courts.

Labor work

I have effectively negotiated union contracts and assisted clients in opposing unionization. I have also won dismissal of many grievances at arbitration.

Counseling

I regularly counsel clients in all areas of employment law to minimize litigation and liability exposure.

Nixon Peabody LLP

199 Best Lawyers awards

Nixon Peabody LLP logo

Overview

  • Cornell University, BS

  • New York, New York State Bar Association

  • United States Court of Appeals
  • United States District Court
  • New York, New York State Bar Association
  • Cornell University, BS
  • United States Court of Appeals
  • United States District Court

Client Testimonials

Todd R. Shinaman is a talented litigator and counselor with decades of experience advising employers of all sizes. He is very practical, thoughtful, and knowledgeable.

Joseph Carello (Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.)

Todd is a labor and employment generalist that can handle just about any question or lawsuit in this space.

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Employment Law - Management
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Employment Law - Management, Rochester, NY (2026)
  • Labor Law - Management, Rochester, NY (2025)
  • Employment Law - Management, Rochester, NY (2024)
  • Labor Law - Management, Rochester, NY (2021)
  • Employment Law - Management, Rochester, NY (2018)
  • Employment Law - Management, Rochester, NY (2013)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Employment Law - Management
  • Labor Law - Management
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Trade Secrets Law
Special Focus:
  • Class Actions
  • Defense
  • Litigation
  • Management

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