Gina E. Nicotera

Gina Nicotera is a member of the Labor and Employment group who advises clients across industries on managing employment-related risk and aligning workforce strategies with business goals. She guides companies through compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and provides practical counsel on hiring, terminations, leaves, accommodations, harassment prevention, wage and hour, collective bargaining and labor relations, and WARN Act obligations.

Gina represents clients in litigation and administrative proceedings, including individual and class action claims of discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment, and wage and hour violations. She also negotiates employment, confidentiality, separation, and restrictive covenant agreements, drafts employee handbooks and policies, conducts workplace investigations, and provides training to support effective and compliant workplace practices.

In addition to her employment law services, Gina has experience in traditional labor law, including collective bargaining negotiations, unfair labor practice charges, and navigating union organizing efforts. Gina also conducts due diligence and regularly counsels corporate and private equity clients on union relations, reductions in force, and strategic workforce planning in the context of mergers and acquisitions.

Experience

• Obtained complete dismissal of reverse discrimination and wrongful termination claims brought in state and federal court by former employee of a prominent restaurant group.
• Guided New Jersey-based manufacturer through employee layoffs in connection with the winding down of operations, ensuring compliance with federal and state WARN Act obligations.
• Represented pharmaceutical manufacturing company in collective bargaining negotiations resulting in a settled contract.
• Served as lead counsel and negotiated early settlement of class action wage and hour claims on behalf of multi-location restaurants.
• Obtained multiple no probable cause findings in favor of popular clothing retailer in connection with federal and state administrative charges alleging race discrimination.
• Provided strategic advice and negotiated employment and separation agreements on behalf of numerous executives and financial services professionals.