Best Lawyers in Connecticut, United States for Labor Law - Management
Mr. McHale represents public and private employers and non-profit organizations in all aspects of labor relations and employment law, including union representation elections, collective bargaining, contract administration, personnel policies and practices, wage and hour disputes, equal employment opportunity, employment litigation, occupational health and safety, workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation and related matters. His practice includes representation of employers in federal...
Kurosh L. Marjani is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Kurosh L., who practices law in Stamford, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kurosh L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Richard F. Vitarelli is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Labor Law - Management. Richard F., who practices law in Hartford, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Patricia E. Reilly represents clients in a range of employment law matters, with an emphasis on the litigation of employment discrimination and related torts; wage and hour issues; and trade secrets, restrictive covenants, and unfair trade practices disputes. She appears in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, the Connecticut Department of Labor, and the Connecticut Commission on Human Righ...
John P. Shea Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. John P., who practices law in Hartford, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Megan Youngling Carannante is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Construction and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Megan Youngling, who practices law in Hartford, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Megan Youngling is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Ms. Dixon defends employers in federal and state courts and before administrative agencies against a variety of employment law claims, including workplace discrimination, contract, and tort claims. She also counsels employers on a wide range of employment issues, such as employee discipline, family and medical leave matters, and compliance with various state and federal employment laws and regulations. Ms. Dixon regularly presents seminars on employment-related issues, including sexual harass...
Mike focuses his practice on providing legal guidance to public and private sector employers in managing all aspects of the employment relationship. Mike litigates cases in state and federal courts and has argued numerous cases before the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the Connecticut Appellate Court, and the Connecticut Supreme Court. He also frequently appears before the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights & Opportunities, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination...
Johanna Zelman’s unique background in health and mental care and in school law results in highly competent, in-depth and knowledgeable advice and representation for her clients. While she has represented a wide variety of private and public sector employers from various industries, Johanna has a specific strength and hands-on experience in the health and mental health fields. Prior to her legal career, she worked for Harvard University’s affiliate hospitals, where she had direct c...
Christopher M. Hodgson is a Senior Partner in the firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group. He has practiced labor and employment law in Connecticut since 1985. Chris is rated as AV by his peers in Martindale-Hubbell, its highest designation, and has been included in Best Lawyers in America since 2010, New England Super Lawyers since 2008, and Connecticut Super Lawyers since 2007. He is a graduate of Choate-Rosemary Hall, the University of Vermont, and the University of Richmond Schoo...
Stephen M. Sedor focuses his practice in the areas of education law, employment litigation and labor disputes. He defends public and private sector employers in lawsuits involving wrongful discharge, employment discrimination, wage and hour disputes, First Amendment and retaliation claims, unfair labor practice charges, restrictive covenants and other disputes. Stephen provides general counseling and advice to public and private sector employers on a wide range of labor and employment matters...
The emphasis of Mr. Myers’ practice is defending employers in state and federal court and in administrative tribunals on a variety of employment law issues, including claims involving age, disability, sex and race discrimination, sexual harassment, invasion of privacy, free speech, defamation, wrongful or retaliatory discharge, breach of contract, wage and hour violations, workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation and family leave act matters. He counsels employers on a ran...
James F. Shea is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. James F., who practices law in Hartford, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Holly L. Cini is a principal in the Hartford, Connecticut, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Holly regularly defends clients in employment-related litigation, including whistleblower claims, general retaliation matters, employment discrimination and harassment claims and ADA and FMLA litigation in all forums ranging from trial courts to administrative agencies to the state and federal appellate courts. Holly has extensive experience in every phase of litigation, from discovery to trial to appeal. ...
Floyd J. Dugas, Senior Partner with Berchem Moses PC, heads up the firm’s Labor & Employment practice. He represents towns, cities and boards of education throughout Connecticut, often as General Counsel. Floyd is a member of the firm’s Labor & Employment and Education Law departments. He represents both private and public sector employers. Floyd is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and the Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law. He has been involved in...
John G. Stretton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. John G., who practices law in Stamford, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.