Employment

Our lawyers counsel and represent employers in every area of employment law. We work in partnership with clients to carry out management objectives and reduce legal risk by providing counsel and training on all aspects of the employer/employee relationship.

Our Services

We provide counseling and training to employers, in-house counsel and human resource professionals on all employment law related matters, including:  

  • Hiring and termination issues
  • Discipline
  • Wage and hour compliance
  • Layoffs
  • Child labor law
  • Offer letters
  • Employment contracts
  • Severance agreements
  • Personnel policies
  • Reasonable accommodation
  • Anti-discrimination laws
  • Whistleblower protection
  • Workplace privacy
  • Drug testing
  • Family and medical leave
  • Workplace safety
  • Litigation 
  • Compliance audits and investigations
  • Non-compete

Our Team

Our employment lawyers represent employers across all industries and around the country. We offer counseling and training on state and federal laws relevant to the employment relationship, helping to ensure our clients are in compliance with these laws. Our lawyers have decades of experience with guiding employers through their interactions with employees. We work with clients to achieve their desired results, such as recently guiding an employer through large-scale layoffs and office closures while avoiding litigation. We also have secured favorable outcomes in court, including obtaining complaint withdrawals, summary judgment rulings, and jury verdicts in our clients’ favor in discrimination litigation.   
 

    • Experience
      • Serving as outside employment counsel for a national company, advising in-house counsel and human resources professionals on all aspects of employment law including due diligence, hiring and termination issues, wage and hour compliance, risk management, and other employment-related matters.

      • Serving as outside employment counsel for the Northeast region of a national truck rental company for all areas of the employment relationship.
      • Serving as outside employment counsel for national fluids testing company with laboratories across the US for all multistate employment matters including investigations, wage and hour compliance, individual terminations and mass layoffs, electronic record keeping issues, and all other risk-management matters.
      • Ongoing representation of numerous employers in internal audits and federal and state governmental investigations focusing on wage and hour compliance including white collar exemptions to the overtime regulations and child labor violations.
    • News
      • November 6, 2023

        Robinson+Cole Receives 42 First-Tier Metropolitan Rankings and Six National Rankings in Latest Edition of Best Law Firms®

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      • October 18, 2023

        Abby Warren Quoted in Hartford Business Journal on Employer Guidance For Upcoming COVID, Cold & Flu Season

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      • May 9, 2023

        Abby Warren and Sapna Jain Author Hartford Business Journal Article on the Readiness of Employers to Welcome Summer Interns

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      • August 20, 2020

        61 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2021

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      • July 21, 2020

        Joe Barra and Matt Miklave Co-Author PE "Legal Beat" Article

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      • November 1, 2019

        Robinson+Cole Receives 33 First-Tier Metropolitan Rankings and Four National Rankings in Latest U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms”

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      • October 18, 2018

        51 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

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      • September 28, 2018

        Earl Phillips, Jon Schaefer, and Abby Warren Author Scrap Magazine Article on Physical Ability Tests

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      • December 13, 2017

        Rachel Kushel Co-presents on Labor Grievance Processing

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      • November 28, 2017

        Alisha Sullivan Presents on Women in the Law Program at Quinnipiac University

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      • November 27, 2017

        Britt-Marie Cole-Johnson Presents on HR Issues at NBI Workshop

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      • October 4, 2017

        Britt-Marie Cole-Johnson Speaks at Annual AWI Seminar

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      • August 15, 2017

        Fifty-Nine Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2018

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      • November 11, 2016

        Britt-Marie Cole-Johnson Presents at AWI Annual Conference

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      • August 15, 2016

        Robinson+Cole Receives Top Listing in Connecticut Lawyer Count in The Best Lawyers in America® 2017

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      • August 18, 2015

        Robinson+Cole Receives Top Listing in Connecticut Lawyer Count in The Best Lawyers in America® 2016

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      • July 7, 2015

        Britt-Marie Cole-Johnson Presents to SHRM Western CT Chapter

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      • July 1, 2015

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Write Article for Journal of Health & Life Sciences Law

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      • May 15, 2014

        Robinson+Cole Boosts Metro New York Employment Practice with Addition of 30-Year Labor Pro

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      • December 13, 2012

        Robinson & Cole Attorneys Earn Additional Honors for Pro Bono Work

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      • June 30, 2012

        Theodore J. Tucci to Participate in the Metro Hartford Alliance’s Panel Discussion on the U.S. Supreme Court’s Ruling on Health Care Reform

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      • May 31, 2012

        Robinson & Cole Expands Labor & Employment Practice with Addition of Three New Attorneys

    • Publications + Presentations
    • "Ethics in HR: How to Successfully Navigate Tricky Issues," co-presented by Abby M. Warren and Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, hosted by the Human Resource Leadership Association of Eastern Connecticut (4/27/2023)
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      "Workplace Challenges and Opportunities Around Mental Health," co-presented by Abby M. Warren and Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, as part of the the Tri-State SHRM Conference (4/24/2023)

      "Ethical Pitfalls from an Employment Law Perspective," co-presented by Abby M. Warren and Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, as part of the Tri-State SHRM Conference (4/24/2023)

      "Employment Law Update," presented by Abby M. Warren, presented as part of the Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts HR Committee Meeting (1/19/23)
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      "Designing a Return-to-Work Structure," co-authored by Matthew T. Miklave and Joseph A. Barra, published in the July/August issue of PE, the flagship publication of the National Society of Professional Engineers. (7/1/2020)
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      "Hot Topics in Employment: Discrimination & Harassment," co-presented by Abby M. Warren and Alisha N. Sullivan, for the CT Bar Association in New Britain, CT (5/14/2019)

      "Your Top 11 Employment Law Questions Answered," presented by Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, for attorneys, HR managers, CFOs and other management professionals in Waterbury, CT (4/1/2019)

      "Fear Not! No Secret Handshake Here: Handling Non-EEO Investigations," presented by Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, at the Association of Workplace Investigators (AWI) 2016 Annual Conference in San Francisco, California (November 4, 2016)
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      "The Workplace Scandal and Modern-Day Investigations: Harassment, Sexting, and Avoiding the 'Rabbit Hole'," presented by Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, presented to the Society for Human Resource Management in Danbury, Connecticut (6/16/2015)

      "H-1B Cap Reached – Lottery Initiated and Premium Processing Delayed" (4/8/2015)

      "NLRB Revised Election Rules Set to Take Effect in April" (3/5/2015)

      "CLE Breakfast," Spoke on emplyment laws and regulations in New York City and State at CLE Breakfast (10/23/2014)

      "Workplace Accommodations and the ADA: Focusing on Compliance and Productivity," co-presented by Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson and Nicole A. Bernabo (10/16/2014)

      "IRS Releases Safe Harbors, Intended to Promote Rollovers to Qualified Plans" (4/14/2014)

      "National Labor Relations Board Upholds Rule Prohibiting Disrespectful and Negative Behavior" (4/1/2014)

      "Supreme Court Holds Severance Payments Are Subject to FICA Taxes" (3/27/2014)

      "Looking Forward to 2014 for Manufacturers/Distributors" (01/21/2014)

      "IRS Modifies "Use-It-Or-Lose-It" Rule for Health Flexible Spending Accounts" (11/07/2013)

      "Practical Implications of the Revamped Connecticut Personnel Files Act," co-presented by Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson and Nicole A. Bernabo, webinar (10/29/2013)

      "Impact of the U.S. Government Reopening and Other Immigration Updates" (10/21/2013)

      "Annual Diversity Visa Lottery is Open!" (10/10/2013)

      "CT's Personnel Files New Employer Requirements" (10/02/2013)

      "Impact of the Government Shutdown on Immigration" (10/02/2013)

      "Check out our Manufacturing Law Blog" (09/10/2013)

      "DOL Extends Participant Fee Disclosure Deadline" (07/25/2013)

      "IRS Compliance Checks on Section 457(b) Top-Hat Plans" (07/10/2013)

      "Administration Delays the Affordable Care Act Employer Mandate" (07/03/2013)

      "Supreme Court Same-Sex Marriage Ruling Significantly Affects Employee Benefit Plans" (06/28/2013)

      "DOL Issues Model Exchange Notices and Updated Model COBRA Continuation Coverage Election Notice" (05/15/2013)

      "H-1B Cap Reached; Lottery Looms" (04/05/2013)

      "Automated I-94 Cards – Coming Soon" (03/28/2013)

      "Now is the Time to Review Your Organization’s Policies" (03/25/2013)

      "The Time Is Now…To Fix Your 403(b) Plan" (03/21/2013)

      "USCIS Expects H1-B Cap to Be Reached Quickly" (03/18/2013)

      "USCIS Issues Revised I-9 Form" (03/11/2013)

      "New FMLA Regulations & Guidance Issued" (02/14/2013)

      "Pending Green Card May Not Equate To “Legal Status”" (02/07/2013)

      "Innovation and Immigration Take Center Stage" (02/01/2013)

      "NLRB Rules Witness Statements Must Be Provided to Unions" (01/14/2013)

      "Nonsolicitation/Distribution Policies,"
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      "Retirement Plan Distribution Relief" (11/28/2012)

      "Education Law Legal Update" (11/01/2012)

      "A Key Court Decision for Employers in Connecticut" (10/16/2012)

      "2014 Diversity Visa Lottery Registration" (09/25/2012)

      "Participant Fee Disclosures Right Around the Corner" (08/23/2012)

      "NLRB Finds Hospital's No-Access Policy for Off-Duty Employees Unlawful" (07/16/2012)

      "Supreme Court Holds Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Constitutional" (06/29/2012)

      "NLRB General Counsel Issues Social Media Policy Guidance" (06/07/2012)

      "Defense of Marriage Act Ruled Unconstitutional" (06/04/2012)

      "OSHA Focuses on Nursing and Residential Care Facilities" (04/23/2012)

      "Court Developments Delay NLRA Notice Posting Rule" (04/19/2012)

      "Act Now - NLRB Notice Posting Requirement Effective April 30" (04/13/2012)

      "Finally! OSHA Revises Hazard Communications Standards" (04/05/2012)

      "OSHA Releases Guidance on Employer Safety Incentive Programs" (03/28/2012)

      "Summary of Benefits and Coverage Final Rules Released" (02/23/2012)

      "New Year, New Employment Policies" (02/14/2012)

      "DOL Issues Final Regulation on Service Provider Fee Disclosures" (02/07/2012)

      "Health Care Reform Update – Navigating the New Realities," at West Central Florida Healthcare Human Resources Association Meeting (1/13/2012)

      "Employee Rights Notice Posting Effective April 30, 2012" (12/28/2011)

      "CT Paid Sick Leave Act Effective January 1" (12/13/2011)

      "NLRB Postpones Deadline for Posting Employee Rights Notices" (10/06/2011)

      "Reminder: Annual Diversity Visa Lottery" (09/27/2011)

      "NLRB Releases Final Rule on Posting Employee Rights Notices" (09/06/2011)

      "CT Legislature Enacts Several Significant Laws Affecting Employers" (08/23/2011)

      "DOL Extends Compliance Deadline for Fee Disclosure Rules" (07/21/2011)

      "Proposed Labor Rules Would Shorten Union Election Timelines" (07/20/2011)

      "CT Employers Prepare Now to Comply With Nation’s First Paid Sick Leave Law" (07/06/2011)

      "Supreme Court Heightens the Standard for Class Certification in Wal-Mart v. Dukes" (06/24/2011)

      "Immigration Legal Update - June 2011" (06/13/2011)

      "New ADAAA Rules Expand Disability Protections" (05/26/2011)

      "Managing a Mobile Workforce: Complying with Wage and Hour Laws and Protecting Company Interests," co-presented by Stephen W. Aronson, Jean E. Tomasco and Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, webinar (5/25/2011)

      "New Rule Updates Employment Eligibility Verification Process (I-9)" (04/21/2011)

      "Social Media in the Workplace - What to Consider to Protect Your Company," co-presented by Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, Nicole A. Bernabo and Alice E. DeTora, webinar (3/30/2011)

      "Noncompetition Agreement Act Creates New Rules" (03/09/2011)

      "The New Proxy Regime" (01/03/2011)

      "Reminder: Annual Diversity Visa Lottery" (10/07/2010)

      "Immigration Legal Update - July 2010" (06/23/2010)

      "What to Do When You Are Served with a Subpoena," co-presented by Jamie M. Landry and Kori Termine Wisneski (4/27/2010)

      "Immigration Legal Update - February 2010" (02/09/2010)

      "Reminder: Annual Diversity Visa Lottery" (11/09/2009)

      "Immigration Legal Update - September 2009" (09/03/2009)

      "Immigration Legal Update - November 2008" (01/21/2009)

      "Immigration Legal Update - January 2009" (01/14/2009)

      "Immigration Legal Update - October 2008" (10/23/2008)

      "Immigration eNews - September 2008" (09/30/2008)

      "Immigration eNews - June 2008" (06/13/2008)

      "Immigration eNews - March 2008" (03/21/2008)

      "Immigration eNew - February 2008" (02/13/2008)

      "Immigration eNew - February 2008" (02/13/2008)

      "Immigration eNews - January 2008" (01/09/2008)

      "Immigration eNews - December 2007" (12/06/2007)

      "Immigration eNews - November 2007" (11/09/2007)

      "Immigration eNews - October 2007" (10/02/2007)

      "Immigration eNews - September 2007" (09/26/2007)

      "Defining, Counting, and Recording Hours Worked," at Connecticut Business & Industry Association's Wage & Hour Conference (9/18/2007)

      "The Firing Block: Strategies to Prevent Lawsuits Arising from Termination," at a two-day seminar, "Recent Developments in Employment Law 2007," sponsored by Council on Education in Management (5/16/2007)

      "Immigration eNews - December 5, 2006" (01/02/2007)

      "Immigration Law Update: The Visa Lottery - October 6, 2006" (10/06/2006)

      "Immigration eNews January 25, 2006" (07/21/2006)

      "Immigration Law Update: The Visa Lottery - October 4, 2005" (07/21/2006)

      "Immigration eNews - Tax Withholding and Foreign Workers - March 15, 2006" (07/21/2006)

      "Immigration eNews February 16, 2006" (07/21/2006)

      "Immigration eNews - June 23, 2006" (06/23/2006)

      "Immigration eNews - June 2, 2006" (06/02/2006)

      "FMLA Problem Areas," at CBIA's Human Resources Conference, presented by Attorney Heidi Lane of Connecticut Department of Labor (6/2006)
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      "Immigration eNews - May 23, 2006" (05/23/2006)

      "Immigration eNews - April 2006" (04/28/2006)

      "Big Brother, Hidden Cameras & Other Surveillance in the Workplace," at Massachusetts Bar Association Luncheon Roundtable, presented by Jeffrey M. Feuer, Esq., and David R. Kerrigan, Assistant Attorney General (1/11/2006)
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      "Critical Documentation for Payroll Managers," at CBIA's Payroll Management for Connecticut Businesses Conference (12/2005)

      "Guidelines for the Generation, Retention, and Destruction of HR Records in an Increasingly Electronic World," at Connecticut Business & Industry Association's (CBIA) Human Resources Conference at the new Connecticut Convention Center, presented by Stephen W. Aronson (6/3/2005)

      "E-Discovery, Litigation Holds and Best Practices," at "Tour of the Electronic Workplace, Business Environment and Litigation Protocols," an executive roundtable, presented by Stephen W. Aronson (5/11/2005)

      "Noncompetition Agreements in Massachusetts," at Massachusetts Bar Association (11/4/2004)
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      "Hot Topics in Labor and Employment Law for Connecticut Employers," at Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, Inc., Innovative Expo 2003, presented by Stephen W. Aronson (10/7/2003)

      "The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination's Sexual Harassment Guidelines: Blueprint for Proper Behavior in Massachusetts," published in Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin (March 2003)

      "The Battle Wages On: U. S. Supreme Court Redefines Title VII Timeframes, Expands Employer Liability," published in Connecticut Law Tribune (Sep. 2002)

      "Minimizing Your Personal Liability When Implementing Terminations," at Progressive Discipline, Coaching, and Termination Law Seminar, sponsored by the Council on Education in Management, presented by Stephen W. Aronson (2/24 to 2/25/2000)

      Labor and Employment in Rhode Island

      Labor and Employment in Connecticut, assisted by Effie Aquila Patrick

      "R&C e-News," (biweekly)
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      Labor and Employment in Massachusetts

      Occupational Safety and Health Handbook

Our Team

Members