Jacqueline Phipps Polito

  • Office Managing Shareholder
  • Co-Chair, Higher Education Industry Group
  • Rochester
jpolito@littler.com
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Jacqueline Phipps Polito is a seasoned trial attorney with extensive experience in both traditional and nontraditional employment litigation. She represents national and local clients in the public and private sector at trial and appellate levels. She also has significant collective bargaining and labor relations experience. Jackie’s practical approach and executive level management background enables her to offer strategic employment advice to clients.

Jackie is an experienced neutral investigator and has conducted a significant number of C-suite investigations, often involving sensitive workplace matters. She is one of Littler’s lead workplace investigators and has extensive experience conducting investigations involving allegations of sexual assault. 

Jackie practices in state and federal courts, as well as before numerous administrative agencies. She has represented local and national clients in the following areas: 

  • Wrongful termination
  • Discrimination, harassment and retaliation
  • New York State and City Human Rights Law
  • Public Employment Relations Board (PERB)
  • National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
  • Article 78 proceedings
  • Public sector law
  • Education law
  • Arbitrations
  • The Fair Labor Standards Act

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.

Before 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. In that role, she oversaw and managed human resources, employee benefits, and labor relations.

Credentials & Recognition

Speaking Engagements

Conducting Lawful Investigations in the New Workplace

  • May 8, 2024
  • Littler Executive Employer Conference, Phoenix, AZ

2023 Tri-State Regional Employer Conference

  • June 20, 2023
  • New York, New York
  • Littler Live Event

Conducting Lawful Investigations in the Evolving Workplace

  • May 10, 2023
  • Littler Executive Employer Conference, Phoenix, AZ

Working Here, Working There, Working Everywhere: Post-Pandemic Remote Work Challenges

  • February 15, 2023
  • NHRA

2022 New York Employment Law Update - Union Organizing

  • November 8, 2022
  • Rochester, New York
  • Littler Live Event

Conducting Lawful Investigations in the Evolving Workplace

  • May 4, 2022
  • Littler Executive Employer Conference

Late Night with Littler: A Healthcare Industry Roundtable

  • May 4, 2022
  • Littler Executive Employer Conference

Sticky Situations: Handling Sensitive Employment Challenges in a Pandemic

  • October 30, 2020
  • Littler Webinar

Investigations Under New Title IX Regulations

  • July 9, 2020
  • Littler Webinar

Back to Work in New York? Littler Discusses Whether and How to Reopen

  • May 26, 2020
  • Littler Webinar

Everything Changes in a New York Minute

  • April 30, 2020
  • Littler Webinar

Conducting Lawful Investigations in the Wake of #MeToo

  • May 10, 2019
  • 2019 Littler Executive Employer, Phoenix, AZ

A Corporate Balancing Act: Business Need vs. Legal Risk

  • September 2018
  • Annual NYS SHRM event

Paddling in the Same Direction: Manage, Motivate & Improve Performance Before & After Problems Begin

  • May 3, 2018
  • Littler Executive Employer, Phoenix, AZ

Healthcare Roundtable

  • May 2, 2018
  • Littler Executive Employer, Phoenix, AZ

From Harvey Weinstein to [Insert Name]: Preventing Harassment in the Workplace and What to Do When Claims are Made

  • March 20, 2018
  • Rochester, New York
  • Littler Live Event

Second Annual Canada Conference

  • November 1, 2017
  • Toronto, Canada
  • Littler Live Event

Managing, Motivating and Improving Performance

  • September 24, 2017
  • New York State Council SHRM

The Ins and Outs of Internal Investigations

  • May 21, 2017
  • Compliance Week 2017, Washington, D.C.

Conducting Efficient, Effective, and Lawful Workplace Investigations

  • May 12, 2017
  • The 2017 Executive Employer® Conference, Phoenix, AZ

Update Your Status: Current Legal Risks Related to Social Media in the Workplace

  • March 28, 2017
  • Rochester, New York
  • Littler Live Event

Looking Back and Looking Ahead: Continuing Compliance with New York's Hospitality Wage Order

  • March 2, 2017
  • Rochester, New York
  • Littler Live Event

Drug Testing Employees in New York: Union, Medical, and OSHA Issues

  • May 25, 2016
  • Rochester, New York
  • Littler Live Event

Conducting Lawful Investigations: Facing New Challenges, Refining Your Techniques and Avoiding the Common Pitfalls

  • May 6, 2016
  • The 2016 Executive Employer® Conference, Scottsdale, AZ

Additional Thought Leadership

Employers Must Plan, Be Compassionate, Follow Laws for Layoffs

  • May 13, 2018
  • Democrat & Chronicle

Learn how we can help you confidently address your unique workplace legal challenges.