Five Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti, P.C. partners have been selected to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Guide for 2020. This is the third year Lawdragon has released this list, which was determined by the views of peers and competitors in the employment law practice area.
For the third year in a row, Partners Joseph Garrison and Stephen Fitzgerald have made the list. This is the second year Partners Nina Pirrotti and Joshua Goodbaum have made the list. This is Partner Ethan Levin-Epstein’s first time receiving the honor.
Since founding the firm in 1977, Garrison has become the leading employment lawyer in Connecticut and one of the most prominent employee rights advocates in the United States. His current practice draws upon his vast experience as a trial lawyer and negotiator and combines the representation of individuals in litigation with an expanding focus on mediation and arbitration.
Levin-Epstein is a seasoned trial lawyer with over 45 years of experience in criminal law. He has tried more than 30 jury trials to verdict for the prosecution and the defense. Prior to joining Garrison, Levin-Epstein in 1991, Levin-Epstein spent fourteen years as a federal and state prosecutor, ending that portion of his career as the First Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Connecticut. Levin-Epstein’s experience in criminal law has enhanced his ability to effectively represent individuals in their employment-related matters. There is significant overlap between the two fields and where clients face situations which have implications from both an employment and criminal perspective, Levin-Epstein’s experience in both areas has proven invaluable.
Fitzgerald joined the firm in 2001, after serving for over ten years as an Assistant District Attorney at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, where he rose to the rank of Supervising Attorney. His employment practice involves the representation of a wide range of workers including physicians, executives, sales staff, academics, financial services and others. He has handled countless litigations and negotiations involving claims of discrimination, sexual harassment, breach of contract and retaliation. A significant portion of his practice is representing railroad workers who have been injured on the job or retaliated against. He has achieved courtroom victories and several favorable settlements on behalf of railroad workers who have been retaliated against and disciplined for speaking out about safety issues in violation of the Federal Rail Safety Act (FRSA). Steve also handles personal injury claims from passengers involved in train accidents.
Pirrotti represents individuals in employment and civil rights litigation and negotiation. A member of the Executive Board of the National Employment Lawyers’ Association, Vice Chair of the American Bar Association Labor and Employment Section’s Trial Advocacy Committee, and a past president of the Connecticut Employment Lawyers’ Association, she is well versed in all aspects of employment law. She also advocates on behalf of students and university employees seeking to discharge their rights under Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination (including sexual harassment) in educational institutions. Pirrotti has written extensively on a variety of employment and civil rights related issues. She regularly speaks nationally in this arena as well, with a particular emphasis of late on sexual harassment issues in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
Goodbaum’s experience in Connecticut employment law runs the gamut, from discrimination and sexual harassment, to wrongful termination, retaliation, non-competition agreements, contract disputes, and wage and hour issues, including claims for unpaid overtime and commissions. He regularly assists his fellow lawyers with appeals and other complex legal projects, regardless of the subject matter.
The lawyers of Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti, P.C. have been advocating for employee and civil rights throughout Connecticut for 43 years and are Lawdragon 500 approved. From our offices in New Haven, we provide award-winning representation in all aspects of employment law.