Jacqueline Phipps Polito is a trial attorney with substantial experience in all aspects of traditional and non-traditional labor and employment litigation. She represents both public and private sector clients, at the trial and appellate level. She has significant collective bargaining and labor relations experience. Her practical approach, combined with her management background, enables her to offer strategic employment advice to clients, recognizing the global needs of the organization.

She practices in state and federal courts and is admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court. Her practice areas are:

• Labor relations
• Collective bargaining
• Arbitrations
• The Fair Labor Standards Act
• The New York State Human Rights Law
• Public Employment Relations Board (PERB)
• National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
• Article 78 proceedings
• Public sector law
• Education law
• Employment discrimination law and litigation
• Litigating all aspects of cases involving protection of trade secrets and post-employment restrictions

Jackie also provides clients with employment counseling and training. She has authored numerous articles and conducted numerous seminars regarding developments in both the private and public sector employment law areas, including:

• Contract compliance
• Policy and procedure updates
• Hiring and firing public sector employees
• Civil service law
• Interest based bargaining
• Laws prohibiting discrimination in employment
• Workplace harassment
• Terminations in the public sector
• Collective negotiations

Jackie has prosecuted and defended many non-compete/non-solicitation matters throughout courts in New York. Recently, in representing a national broadcasting client, she was successful in obtaining a six month injunction restraining the former employees from use of proprietary business information.

She also has expertise in handling New York workers’ compensation issues, including benefits claims disputes. Prior to joining Littler Mendelson's Rochester Office, Jackie served as the Chief Human Capital Initiatives Officer and Chief Labor Negotiator for the Rochester City School District, the area’s third largest employer, where she oversaw and managed the workers compensation division. In doing so, she: analyzed claims; determined when fraud investigations should be commenced; ensured compatibility of handling claims consistently throughout the District and each bargaining unit; and determined when matters should be resolved to ensure fiscal responsibility. Immediately prior to that, she was a partner at another firm, where she served as a member of the Labor and Employment Group.

PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS

• Member, Greater Rochester Area Women's Bar Association
  • Member, Nominating Committee, 2006
  • Co-chair, Mentoring Committee, 2008-2009
• Member, New York State Bar Association
• Former member, Executive Committee, Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section, 2000-2008
• Former member, Gender Equity Taskforce, 2007
• Former trustee, Seneca Park Zoo Society, 2007-2010
• Chair, Monroe County Ethics Committee, 2005-2008
• Officer and member, Board of Directors, Women’s Council of the Rochester Business Alliance, 2000-2004
• Officer and member, Board of Directors, Rochester Women’s Network, 2002-2004
• Former member and lector, Parish Council - St. Ambrose Church
• Former member, Board of Directors – DePaul Community Services
• Former member, Zoning Board - Town of Irondequoit

RECOGNITION

• Named, Super Lawyer, 2007, 2008 and 2012
• Recipient, Sheldon Hurwitz Award, New York State Bar Association, 2007
• Finalist, Athena Award,  2006
• Named, Up & Coming Attorney, The Daily Record, 2004
• Named, 40 under 40, Rochester Business Journal, 2002