Eli Freedberg is a seasoned employment attorney who represents national and regional employers across the hospitality, retail, utility, transportation, health care, and financial services industries. He is known for delivering strategic, business-focused solutions to complex workplace challenges and for defending employers in high-stakes litigation. He also frequently advises large and small businesses on all aspects of wage and hour compliance, prevailing wage obligations, predictable scheduling and fair workweek issues as well as a host of leave and discrimination concerns.
Eli has extensive experience litigating matters under the FLSA, ADA, Title VII, FMLA, and state and local employment laws. He regularly appears in federal and state courts and arbitration forums, where he has successfully obtained dismissals and summary judgment in cases involving discrimination, wage and hour violations, and trade secret disputes. Eli also counsels clients on proactive compliance strategies, internal audits, and risk mitigation related to wage and hour practices, workplace policies, and employee conduct.
Representative Experience:
- Secured summary judgment in federal court on behalf of a utility company in a claim where security personnel sourced by a third-party vendor asserted joint employment claims against the utility company
- Reached favorable resolutions of dozens of fair work week and paid sick leave administrative audits
- Successfully dismissed complaint filed against a hotel management company in a race discrimination claim where a hotel guest was evicted from premises and sustained the dismissal on appeal
- Resolved well over a dozen of prevailing wage misclassification claims filed by the New York State Department of Labor without receiving debarment orders
- Obtained dismissal of a background check class action filed in federal court on behalf of a national transportation company
- Defended dozens of restaurant groups in class and collective actions involving tip credit, tip pooling, and service charge distribution practices
- Advised employers on wage and hour compliance, including internal audits and Department of Labor investigations
- Drafted regulatory comments on behalf of trade organizations in response to proposed wage and hour rule changes
- Successfully defended against claims of trade secret misappropriation and spoliation of evidence in competitive employment disputes
- Delivered workplace training programs for managers and HR professionals on harassment prevention, performance management, and wage/hour compliance
Eli is a frequent speaker and contributor on employment law topics, including wage and hour compliance, tip credit and service charge regulations, harassment prevention, and effective workplace policies.
As the New York coordinator for Littler’s Workplace Policy Institute (WPI), Eli also monitors and analyzes legislative and regulatory developments affecting employers in New York State and New York City. He has organized coalitions to challenge burdensome municipal laws, including New York City’s Fair Workweek legislation, and regularly drafts comments to regulatory agencies on behalf of clients and trade associations. Eli helps employers anticipate legal changes and adapt their policies to remain compliant and competitive.