Burke Employment Lawyers

Brendan focuses his practice on developing and managing global talent acquisition programs for large and small employers seeking to fill highly skilled positions in the United States. He counsels employers located throughout New York, the United States and internationally and assists with obtaining immigration status and employment authorization for employees in both nonimmigrant and immigrant (permanent resident/“green card”) visa categories. His practice includes an emphasis on assisting college/university faculty members and medical professionals with complex immigration issues such as J-1 waivers, O-1 visas, and permanent residency through the National Interest Waiver, Outstanding Professor/Researcher, and Alien of Extraordinary Ability categories. Brendan...

JIM BARNA BRINGS A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE TO EMPLOYMENT LAW REPRESENTATION. Throughout his career, Jim Barna has focused his practice on employment law. Jim did his undergraduate studies at Syracuse University and Stony Brook University. Jim attended law school at Washington University in St. Louis, a Top Twenty law school with an extensive employment law curriculum. While in law school, he had the opportunity to work for a national leader in employment law and womens rights litigation, Mary Anne Sedey. “From Mary Anne Sedey, I saw that big cases can bring big changes, and that a life devoted...

Richard Pawelczyk handles transactions and litigation for individuals, as well as companies of all sizes. He has represented household names, both individuals and companies, in music, sports, fashion, food & beverage. He was counsel to several prominent entertainment companies and helped guide their business development. Rich is also a seasoned intellectual property attorney, with vast experience in trademarks and copyrights for celebrities and media companies. He co-authored a legal brief that advocated for extension of copyright protection in a case that was before the United States Supreme Court. Rich’s experience includes corporate transactions, commercial real estate, food & beverage, fashion,...

I founded Cordello Law PLLC to focus entirely on labor and employment litigation on behalf of employees throughout the Rochester, New York area. Since that time, my law firm has been instrumental in obtaining significant financial recoveries for clients through the litigation and negotiation of employment disputes. While a firm’s success is generally measured from a financial standpoint, I am proud of the fact that my cases have also led to changes in illegal and abusive employment practices.

As an Associate at Tully Rinckey PLLC’s Binghamton office, Tyler defends the rights of federal and private employees who require assistance with harassment, disability retirement, retaliation, disciplinary, discrimination and adverse action, among a range of other legal matters including Title IX representation. Drawing from his experience as a litigation attorney with several notable law firms within the nation’s capital, Tyler brings a fresh perspective on federal labor and employment law to the area’s practice group at the firm.

Prior to joining Tully Rinckey PLLC, Tyler was a litigation attorney with a prominent Washington, D.C. law firm, where he gained extensive experience...

Currently, Kathryn is of counsel at Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP. She practices in the medical malpractice group. She also advises clients, both employers and employees, in all areas of labor and employment law, including preparation of employment agreements and employment manuals and policies, litigation including mediation and arbitration, as well as trials, appeals, and administrative hearings. She also advises clients on general litigation matters.

Previously, Kathryn practiced mainly military law; regularly handling cases involving Article 15s, letters of reprimand, courts-martial, security clearance and officer/enlisted separation proceedings. She also handled discrimination complaints before the Equal Employment Opportunity...

Jack Tuckner is a Women’s Rights in the Workplace attorney and a founding partner of Tuckner, Sipser, Weinstock & Sipser, perhaps the only law firm in the nation concentrating its practice on workplace gender rights. His practice is focused on helping working women combat sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination, and other discrimination and illegal treatment faced by women, including illegal pay disparity, gender discrimination, maternity leave matters, unlawful retaliation, and wrongful termination. Jack has long fought for women’s rights and against the unequal and wrongful treatment of women in the workplace. In doing so, Jack has gained a reputation for feminist activism...

James R. O’Connor, Esq. is a labor and employment law associate in Tully Rinckey PLLC’s Buffalo office, where he focuses his practice on representing clients in federal and private sector employment law claims, including claims involving the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), New York Labor Law, New York Executive Law and Qui Tam claims.

Prior to joining Tully Rinckey PLLC, James was...

Rachel Wright is an attorney practicing in Tiveron Law’s Corporate & Business Law Department with a heightened focus on the needs of the hospitality industry, nonprofits, small businesses, and compliance. Prior extensive experience in the hospitality industry gives Rachel a unique understanding of the legal needs of that industry. Rachel is equipped to handle Joint ventures, issues in corporate governance and structuring, commercial contracts, entity formation, business compliance, mergers and acquisitions, liquor licensing for bars and restaurants, and issues in employment law. Ms. Wright obtained her Juris Doctorate from the University of Buffalo School of Law. She also holds a Master...

Adela graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh with a triple major in Health Services, Administration of Justice and Communications. She obtained her J.D., cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, with certificates in Civil Litigation and Health Services.

Following graduation, Adela spent almost three years in Boston, Massachusetts representing clients in a variety of matters, including personal injury, summary process, contract disputes, and class action cases. In 2017, she moved to Buffalo, New York where she concentrated her practice in litigation, medical malpractice defense, nursing home defense, employment discrimination defense, and corporate health care matters....

Kevin Burke is a Buffalo business attorney focused on the litigation of contract disputes, labor and employment issues, intellectual property protection, and trade secret cases. Kevin has represented both individuals and businesses since he moved home from Washington, D.C. in 1999, where he graduated with honors from Georgetown University and George Washington University Law School. Kevin has tried dozens of major commercial and employment cases to verdict. He regularly handles appeals before the Appellate Division, State of New York and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. He frequently writes and lectures on employee mobility issues, including the evolving area of...

Licensed Attorney in New York, Federal District Courts, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, and Federal Court District of Connecticut, and Vermont. L.L.M. Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence, New York University School of Law, 10-year (2013-2023) Super Lawyers Award Recipient. Recognized as one of the Top 100 Trial Attorneys in New York State. When I decided to form Giordano Law Offices in 2000, I was excited about the prospect of being able to help as many people as I could in diverse practice areas. Giordano Law Offices is the culmination of many years of broad legal experience. ...

Kathleen Connelly concentrates her practice in Employment Law. She has more than 25 years of experience representing employers and individual members of management in both the private and public sectors in preventative counseling, litigation defense and dispute resolution, workplace investigations, employee handbooks, policies and training.

OSSAI MIAZAD is Partner and Co-Chair of the Discrimination and Retaliation Practice Group and is also active in the firm's Class & Collective Action Practice Group at Outten & Golden LLP in New York. She represents employees in class action and impact litigation aimed at eliminating systemic discrimination. She has experience litigating before federal and state courts and arbitration panels. Ms. Miazad currently serves as plaintiffs' counsel in numerous major class action lawsuits involving challenges to the use of credit and criminal history records for employment decisions, challenges to U.S. citizen and legal permanent resident requirements in contracting on behalf...

TAMMY MARZIGLIANO is a partner at Outten & Golden LLP in New York, where she represents employees in litigation and negotiation in all areas of employment law, including matters involving compensation (and bonus) disputes, contractual violations, and whistleblower and individual discrimination claims. Ms. Marzigliano is the Co-Chair of both Outten & Golden’s Financial Services Practice Group and its Whistleblower and Retaliation Practice Group. She is also a member of Outten & Golden’s Executive and Professionals Practice Group and former Co-Chair of its Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Practice Group. She has also been recognized by Best Lawyers...

I limit my practice to employment law. Since 2011 I have been Westchester County based helping both employees and small businesses. Tarrytown is a great place to serve both Manhattan and Upstate New York. We look for creative ways to resolve employment disputes outside the courthouse although sometimes filing is the only choice. Time will tell which venue is best. Keeping up with the whirlwind of changes at both the federal and state levels in New York demands ongoing education beyond AI. Twenty plus years of exclusive labor and employment law matter resolutions is priceless.

Susan M. Maya graduated Magna Cum Laude from Quinnipiac University School of Law where she attended as a Dean’s Scholar. While at Quinnipiac she received seven outstanding academic achievement awards. Ms. Maya was an academic invitee on the Quinnipiac Law Review where she held the position of Associate Editor. Ms. Maya graduated Magna Cum Laude from the State University of New York at Binghamton. Ms. Maya practices in the areas of Trusts and Estates, Special Education Law, and Executive Compensation Law. She is admitted to practice in New York and Connecticut. She lives with her family in Westport, CT.

Bill has 20+ years of litigation and law firm management experience. He is hardworking, efficient and detail oriented with strong leadership skills and a proven track record. He is extremely organized with a strong ability to multi-task. Bill works well in a team environment and is capable of handling complex matters and providing guidance to other team members to ensure that all matters are handled properly. EDUCATION Juris Doctor ...

Steven Cramer focuses in the areas of commercial, construction and real estate litigation and arbitration, as well as counseling clients in contract negotiation and other transactions. Mr. Cramer’s clients include owners, contractors, private equity funds, design professionals, sureties, cooperatives and condominiums, and other businesses as well as individuals. Mr. Cramer was recognized as a "Super Lawyer" in the field of Construction Litigation in 2010. Mr. Cramer served as a partner at Bauman Katz & Grill LLP, and an associate at Ross & Cohen and Zetlin and DeChiara, where he worked in commercial litigation and arbitration, and contract negotiation. Mr. Cramer earned his...

I am dedicated to my clients' causes. I use an intelligent approach of strategizing every angle, starting from when I first talk to my client. I use over 30 years of legal experience that I gained from some of the most controversial high profile cases to work towards winning your case. My keen knowledge of law and procedure leads to very creative solutions to handle your case quickly and efficiently, including my use of the latest technology and research tools.

JUSTIN M. SWARTZ, a partner at Outten & Golden LLP in New York and Co-Chair of its Class Action Practice Group, represents employees in class action wage/hour and discrimination cases, as well as individual discrimination cases and other employment matters. He is also Co-Chair of the firm’s Public Interest Committee.

Mr. Swartz is currently litigating cases challenging the practice of classifying workers as independent contractors and failing to pay overtime compensation. He and Outten & Golden LLP's Public Interest Committee have represented hundreds of low-wage workers in minimum wage and unpaid overtime cases, including construction workers, farm workers, and low-wage cleaning...

Brittany A. Stevens has considerable experience representing employees in a wide range of employment discrimination matters. She manages a variety of cases involving sexual harassment, retaliation, and discrimination based on race, national origin, gender, pregnancy, age, disability, religion, caregiver status, and sexual orientation. She has handled numerous cases from inception through settlement.

Ms. Stevens zealously advocates for women's rights and is committed to helping women in the workplace. Ms. Stevens is a passionate litigator who believes strongly in civil rights and fairness throughout the work environment.

Ms. Stevens has obtained significant awards and settlements for her clients. Remarkably, Ms. Stevens received a...

The managing partner at Phillips & Associates, William K. Phillips dedicates his practice to protecting the rights of employees in the workplace. His firm has handled thousands of employment cases, including discrimination and sexual harassment claims. Mr. Phillips has been recognized as one of the “10 Best Labor and Employment Attorneys in New York” by the American Institute of Legal Counsel and among the “Top 100 Labor & Employment Lawyer in New York” by the American Society of Legal Advocates.

Steven Fingerhut is a Partner at Phillips & Associates. He takes an aggressive approach to the representation of his clients and is proud to give a voice to those who may otherwise have none. Mr. Fingerhut has obtained over $10 Million in settlements for his clients in the past five years. Most recently, in January 2024, Steven Fingerhut received a Plaintiff’s verdict and an award of $260,000 for his client after successfully trying hostile work environment, retaliation, and defamation claims, in the Eastern District of New York. Smart v. USA Labor for Hire, Inc., et al., Case No.: 1:20-cv-5594 (TAM). The...

Gregory Calliste, Jr. is a New York employment discrimination attorney at Phillips & Associates. He possesses 13 years of experience handling civil, and criminal law matters, including employment law matters, at the federal, state and administrative levels.

If you are a victim of racial or national origin discrimination at work, you should be aware that there are federal, state, and local laws in place to protect you. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, for example, prohibited racial discrimination occurs when an employer treats someone unfavorably due to their race or because of personal characteristics associated with race,...

Attorney Emre Polat is an experienced New York City employment attorney. He has substantial litigation experience in all aspects of employment law, including lawsuits arising out of wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage and hour violations, medical leave violations, whistleblower claims, retaliation, non-compete agreements, and severance agreements. Mr. Polat has personally litigated countless matters from inception through trial. He has represented both employees and employers who need a discrimination attorney or assistance in other claims. His advocacy and experience has earned him notable recognition and respect. Mr. Polat has personally litigated countless matters from inception through trial. His advocacy and experience has...

Erdal Turnacioglu concentrates his practice in the area of employment law. He has substantial experience within the state and federal courts of New York and New Jersey. Over the course of my legal career, Erdal has been driven by a passion for employment law. After law school, he worked in-house for a major New York City insurance company, handling motor vehicle accident defense. While this job introduced him to the practice of law, Erdal never lost sight of his dream of one day assisting individuals and businesses with their employment-related issues. In 2010, Erdal attended a seminar entitled, “How to Handle...

D. Maimon Kirschenbaum represents employees in class action and individual wage/hour cases, individual discrimination cases and other employment matters, such as severance negotiations. Maimon has successfully taken on employers ranging in size from Fortune 500 Companies to "mom and pop" local businesses.

From an early point in his career, Maimon has been recognized in the media as a "wunderkind of the plaintiff's bar" and the "patron saint of stiffed waiters." Now a partner at the law firm of Joseph & Kirschenbaum LLP, he is well known throughout the restaurant and hospitality industry and its lawyers as a dedicated and effective advocate...

Lisa Renee Pomerantz has more than thirty-five years of varied legal experience. After graduating cum laude from Radcliffe College of Harvard University and from Boston University Law School where she was on the Law Review, Lisa spent a year as a law clerk to a federal court judge. Following a stint as a litigation attorney in private practice, she worked for more than fifteen years as a senior level in-house attorney for a major corporation. Since 2003, Lisa has had her own practice. She works with innovative and creative enterprises to structure and foster successful business relationships...

LAURENCE S. MOY is Deputy Managing Partner, and has been practicing law almost exclusively in the area of representing individuals in employment matters since 1985. Mr. Moy co-chairs the firm’s Financial Services Industry Practice Group. He enjoys representing clients and groups of clients in these highly specialized fields by counseling them, as well as negotiating and litigating on their behalf.

Mr. Moy has extensive experience in arbitration before FINRA (and, previously, the NASD and the NYSE), the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”), and JAMS, as well as trials, appeals, and other litigation experience before federal and state courts concerning employment and...

Andrew’s first job as a lawyer was with the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, where he was a Deputy Attorney General for approximately seven years. As a government trial attorney, he learned “his way around a courtroom” as well as how to effectively and persuasively write legal documents. As a Deputy Attorney General, Andrew gained invaluable litigation experience in both State and Federal Courts, arguing motions before judges, negotiating settlements before mediators, taking and defending over 800 depositions, and trying both bench and jury trials.

After working with the New Jersey Attorney General, over the next eight years, Andrew further honed...

Senior legal executive with proven success in leading legal and risk management functions for global companies; demonstrated success with creating new risk management and ethics/compliance functions cost-effectively. More than 16 years of legal experience in a broad range of matters that include investigations, ethics and compliance counseling, risk management, product safety/product liability matters, business and human resources counseling, and litigation.

Ephraim Jacob (‘E.J.”) Fink has been litigating in the Connecticut and New York Courts since 2000. After representing hundreds of carriers and their policy holders as well as corporations, product manufacturers and healthcare facilities from negligence and contract claims, EJ practiced at a boutique in the areas of personal injury, family law/divorce, estate and trust litigation. EJ graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications with a degree in journalism and thereafter obtained his JD at New England Law-Boston where his dean’s list grade average earned him an associate editor position on the New England Journal on Criminal...

Attorney Stuart Meissner was born in 1962 in Brooklyn, New York. He earned his Bachelor’s and Juris Doctorate from Hofstra University. He went on to earn his masters of law degree from New York University Law School. He opened his own practice, Meissner Associates, twenty years ago in 2001 in Manhattan, New York. His practice focuses primarily on SEC whistleblower cases, investment disputes, securities violations, and FINRA arbitration. After 9/11, Attorney Meissner volunteered at Ground Zero on “the pile” on the “bucket brigade” along with fire and police officers, sifting through debris trying to find survivors. He was later subsequently...

When I was nine my aunt told me I should be a lawyer when I grew up because I argued about everything, really, really well. That's when I learned I could make a living doing what I loved: winning arguments. After graduating from Columbia University, New York City's only Ivy League school I went on to Fordham Law. Fordham was the only law school ranked in the top twenty-five nationwide that offered a night program in New York. Since I was working full time to pay my own way, Fordham's top tier night division was perfect for me. After two...

As an Associate at Tully Rinckey PLLC, Zachary handles both federal labor and employment plaintiff’s cases before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Merit Systems Protection Board – in which he defends the rights of federal employees against a range of abuses, including discrimination and retaliation claims, as well as wrongful personnel actions – as well as defending against criminal charges in all town and county courts surrounding the Rochester Office and federal charges within the United States District Court for the Western District of New York. Zachary has enjoyed great success in aggressively and effectively representing federal employees and...

I am one of the founding partners of Thomas & Solomon LLP. Ihave more than a decade's experience in employment law litigation and counsel. I litigate a range of matters from complex employment class action lawsuits to litigation involving all types of individual workplace disputes, ranging from claims of illegal termination and harassment, to actions to recover unpaid benefits.
I am also a certified Federal Court mediator with WDNY, with over 25 certified hours of training and role-play. Completed at least one observation and two meditations under the supervision of the WDNY program director. Maintains a minimum of 6...

After graduating from Manhattan College in 2009, Jacob began his career as a Special Education Advocate & Paralegal. For seven years he worked for a reputable Manhattan-based law firm that concentrates on advocating for students with special needs. As an Advocate, Jacob would often attend Committee on Special Education (“CSE”) meetings alongside parents, providing them with assistance in the development of their children’s Individual Education Programs (“IEP”) and/or 504 Plans. When disputes arose with local school districts, Jacob assisted attorneys in all phases of the administrative due process procedure provided by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ("IDEA"). This often...

The Diederich Law Office focuses on helping victims of illegality and bias in employment and civil rights cases, particularly wrongful termination and job discrimination cases, and negotiating severance packages. Cases include wrongful discrimination based upon age, gender / sex, national origin, race, pregnancy or disability. I also served as a "citizen soldier" (US Army reservist), with tours of duty in the combat zones of Iraq (2004-05) and Afghanistan (2012), as an Army lawyer. I retired in the rank of lieutenant colonel. We handle cases from Long Island, through New York City and into the Hudson...