Services
Education
- Syracuse University College of Law, J.D., cum laude
- St. John Fisher College, B.A., cum laude
Admissions
- New York
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
RecognitionIn 2009, Mr. Jones was selected to the Rochester Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award in recognition of his civic and professional achievement.
|
|
STEPHEN J. JONES
Stephen Jones is a trusted advisor and courtroom advocate for employers of every size. His clients range from multinational Fortune 100 companies, research universities, and major healthcare systems to start-ups and small family-owned businesses. Mr. Jones concentrates his practice in employment litigation, with a particular emphasis on complex class action lawsuits, discrimination claims, trade secret/non-competition litigation, ERISA claims, and wage-hour collective actions. Mr. Jones has a track record of obtaining summary judgment dismissals of employment claims and has developed cost-effective litigation strategies carefully calibrated to achieve trial advantage while remaining attentive to the client’s overall business considerations.
Mr. Jones’ experience also includes representing employers in administrative agency proceedings before the New York State Division of Human Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the federal and state Departments of Labor. In addition, Mr. Jones regularly counsels employers with respect to employment policies and procedures and compliance with state and federal employment laws. He has developed successful preventative, training, and auditing methodologies for companies in equal employment opportunity and wage-hour areas. Mr. Jones has conducted dozens of company-wide wage-hour audits focusing on exemption classifications and timekeeping practices.
During 2006, Mr. Jones served on special assignment as in-house counsel to Eastman Kodak Company, where he was responsible for managing external counsel on litigation matters and counseling business units.
Before joining the firm, Mr. Jones was a member of the Syracuse Law Review, the Justinian Honorary Law Society, and the Moot Court Honor Society. Champion: 27th Annual McKenzie Lewis Appellate Advocacy Competition of Syracuse Law School; Author: 50 Syr. L. Rev. 285 (2000). Representative Experience- Obtained dismissal of alleged ERISA claims for retiree health benefits on behalf of major research university (2012).
Obtained dismissal of alleged ERISA claims for retiree health benefits on behalf of major research university (2012). - Obtained affirmance of summary judgment dismissal from Second Circuit Court of Appeals on claims of disability discrimination and FMLA interference and retaliation on behalf of international engineering company (2012).
Obtained affirmance of summary judgment dismissal from Second Circuit Court of Appeals on claims of disability discrimination and FMLA interference and retaliation on behalf of international engineering company (2012). - Obtained summary judgment dismissal of sexual harassment and retaliation claims on behalf of international technology company (2012).
Obtained summary judgment dismissal of sexual harassment and retaliation claims on behalf of international technology company (2012). . . . View all . . .
- Obtained affirmance of dismissal of FLSA claims in class and collective action against major Long Island hospital system from Second Circuit Court of Appeals (2013).
Obtained affirmance of dismissal of FLSA claims in class and collective action against major Long Island hospital system from Second Circuit Court of Appeals (2013).
- Obtained summary judgment dismissal of race/national origin discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation claims on behalf of national retail company (2013).
Obtained summary judgment dismissal of race/national origin discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation claims on behalf of national retail company (2013).
- Representing international news media company in multiple actions for long term disability benefits claims under ERISA (2013).
Representing international news media company in multiple actions for long term disability benefits claims under ERISA (2013).
- Represented IT communications company in non-competition, alleged trade secret litigation involving unified communications technologies utilized by the U.S. Department of defense and dissolved temporary restraining order (2011-12).
Represented IT communications company in non-competition, alleged trade secret litigation involving unified communications technologies utilized by the U.S. Department of defense and dissolved temporary restraining order (2011-12).
- Defended multinational engineering company in alleged exemption misclassification class action and twice defeated plaintiffs’ motion for conditional certification under the FLSA (2010).
Defended multinational engineering company in alleged exemption misclassification class action and twice defeated plaintiffs’ motion for conditional certification under the FLSA (2010).
- Negotiated dismissal of New York City-based hospital system from multi-defendant class action alleging meal period and off-the-clock claims under the FLSA and New York Labor Law (2010).
Negotiated dismissal of New York City-based hospital system from multi-defendant class action alleging meal period and off-the-clock claims under the FLSA and New York Labor Law (2010).
- Obtained dismissal on the pleadings of sexual harassment claims against multinational restaurant franchise under Title VII of the Civil Rights and New York Human Rights Law (2011)
Obtained dismissal on the pleadings of sexual harassment claims against multinational restaurant franchise under Title VII of the Civil Rights and New York Human Rights Law (2011)
- Defeated motion for preliminary injunction in breach of restrictive covenant, unfair competition, and trade secret litigation (2009).
Defeated motion for preliminary injunction in breach of restrictive covenant, unfair competition, and trade secret litigation (2009).
- Defended Boston-based hospital system in class action alleging meal period and off-the-clock claims under the FLSA and Massachusetts Wage Act until successful settlement (2010).
Defended Boston-based hospital system in class action alleging meal period and off-the-clock claims under the FLSA and Massachusetts Wage Act until successful settlement (2010).
- Obtained summary judgment dismissal of disability discrimination and failure to accommodate claims under the ADA, NY Human Rights Law, and FMLA (2011).
Obtained summary judgment dismissal of disability discrimination and failure to accommodate claims under the ADA, NY Human Rights Law, and FMLA (2011).
- Obtained summary judgment dismissal of racial discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and NY Human Rights Law (2010).
Obtained summary judgment dismissal of racial discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and NY Human Rights Law (2010).
- Obtained decision from Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirming summary judgment dismissal of racial discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation claims under federal and state law (2009).
Obtained decision from Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirming summary judgment dismissal of racial discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation claims under federal and state law (2009).
- Defended multinational retailer in class action alleging misclassification of store managers under the FLSA and multiple state laws and negotiated settlement on terms favorable to the employer (2010).
Defended multinational retailer in class action alleging misclassification of store managers under the FLSA and multiple state laws and negotiated settlement on terms favorable to the employer (2010).
- Defended national retailer in alleged misclassification of information technology and financial positions in class action under the FLSA and New York Labor Law and negotiated settlement on terms favorable to the employer (2009).
Defended national retailer in alleged misclassification of information technology and financial positions in class action under the FLSA and New York Labor Law and negotiated settlement on terms favorable to the employer (2009).
- Defended multinational technology company in alleged exemption misclassification class action under the FLSA and New York Labor Law and negotiated settlement on terms favorable to the employer (2009).
Defended multinational technology company in alleged exemption misclassification class action under the FLSA and New York Labor Law and negotiated settlement on terms favorable to the employer (2009).
. . . Hide Representative Experience . . .AffiliationsMr. Jones is a member of the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and the Monroe County Bar Association.
Mr. Jones currently serves as Corporate Secretary, Board of Directors for Volunteers of America, Western New York, and served for three years as President of the Board of Directors for Step by Step, a Rochester-based organization dedicated to assisting and rehabilitating incarcerated women. Thought Leadership/Alerts
Media Clips
Events
|