Stephen J. Jones
Partner / Co-Leader, Wage & Hour Compliance & Litigation Team
Introduction
Steve Jones is a trusted advisor and experienced trial attorney for many premier companies, universities, and organizations. Steve leads the firm’s Labor & Employment Class Action Team, co-chairs the firm’s Wage & Hour Team, and is regularly called upon to defend “bet-the-company” high-stakes litigation. His experience includes defense of over 200 class actions and collective actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Equal Pay Act, and ERISA. His practice also includes extensive non-competition and trade secret litigation and defense of whistleblower, discrimination, and sexual harassment claims in state and federal courts and before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Department of Labor, and state human rights agencies. Steve has developed innovative auditing methodologies in wage-hour and EEO areas (including statistical pay equity analysis), thereby reducing or eliminating his clients’ exposure to class action litigation and EEOC systemic discrimination enforcement actions.
My focus
My mission, above all else, is to achieve my clients’ business objectives while pursuing excellence in the practice of law. I don’t just “represent” my clients; I partner with them. I believe clients are entitled to “no surprises.” Accordingly, I dedicate my practice to constant client contact, transparency, and accountability.
I understand that the most efficient way to resolve litigation is not always the most obvious. It is critical from the outset, therefore, to develop a defense strategy carefully calibrated to achieve trial and/or settlement advantage while always remaining attentive to my clients’ overall business objectives. It’s the foundation of any successful defense and my personal promise to clients.
Community Leadership
Awards & Recognition
Steve has been recognized for exceptional standing in the legal community by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business for Labor & Employment (Upstate New York) and is one of only three attorneys to receive Chambers’s highest “Band 1” rating in Upstate New York, based on interviews and peer review (2019-2024).
He has also been named to the 2017–2024 editions of Best Lawyers in America (Litigation-Labor and Employment) and the 2014–2024 editions of Super Lawyers (Employment Litigation Defense). based on peer review and professional achievement.
Steve has been named to the “Power 20 List for Litigation” by the Editorial Boards of the Rochester Business Journal and The Daily Record as one of Western New York’s power players in the legal industry (2021, 2023, 2024).
In 2022, Steve was selected as a fellow of the New York Bar Foundation by the New York Bar Board of Directors in recognition of outstanding professional achievement, dedication to the legal profession, and commitment to the organized bar.
In 2014, the New York Law Journal chose Steve for its “Rising Stars” Award—the only Rochester attorney to receive the award that year, based on his contributions to the practice of law. In 2009, Steve received the “40 Under 40” Award from the Rochester Business Journal (2009).
In the news
- Bloomberg Law
Paychex 401(k) distribution snafu governed by ERISA, judge says
March 6, 2025The following article covers a New York federal judge’s order granting Paychex’s motion to dismiss a 401(k) participant’s lawsuit alleging Paychex is liable for a stolen rollover distribution the company would only mail via paper checks. NP is mentioned in the coverage for representing Paychex. The NP team includes Rochester Labor & Employment partner Steve Jones, and counsel Todd Shinaman and Mike Lingle.
- Law360
Paychex wins initial toss of worker's rollover theft suit
March 6, 2025The following article covers a New York federal judge’s order granting Paychex’s motion to dismiss a 401(k) participant’s lawsuit alleging Paychex is liable for a stolen rollover distribution the company would only mail via paper checks. NP is mentioned in the coverage for representing Paychex. The NP team includes Rochester Labor & Employment partner Steve Jones, and counsel Todd Shinaman and Mike Lingle.
- Rochester Business Journal and The Daily Record
2024 Power Law Lists
July 19, 2024The publications have selected several NP attorneys for their annual “Power Lists,” putting a spotlight on regional professionals who are leaders in their respective fields. Click the links to read Q&A profiles with the NP honorees.
- 2024 Power 50 Law List: Jared Lusk
- 2024 Trusts & Estates Power List: Stephanie Seiffert
- 2024 Litigation Power List: Kim Harding and Steve Jones
- 2024 Labor & Employment Law Power List: Kim Harding and Eric Paley
- The Daily Record
The Daily Record’s Power 20 Litigation 2023
Nov 9, 2023The following articles profile Rochester Labor & Employment partners Kim Harding, leader of the firm’s Labor Relations team, and Stephen Jones, co-leader of the firm’s Wage & Hour Compliance and Litigation team, for their inclusion on the publication’s “Power 20 Litigation 2023” list. This annual list recognizes prominent litigators in the Rochester region for their exceptional client service.
- Law360
Corning gets ex-market consultant’s bias suit dismissed
July 18, 2023This article covers a federal judge dismissing a former Corning Inc. worker’s race and gender discrimination suit because the worker failed to identify a solid comparator to show she was subjected to discrimination. The article mentions partner Steve Jones, co-leader of the Wage & Hour Compliance and Litigation team, and counsel Mike Lingle, both of the Labor & Employment practice in Rochester, for representing Corning in the case.
- Bloomberg Law
Eastman Kodak beats securities suit over COVID-linked loan deal
Sep 28, 2022This article mentions NP for representing the Eastman Kodak Company, which secured the dismissal of a securities lawsuit brought by investors complaining of options granted to executives just before announcement of Kodak’s potential participation in a government program to fund expansion to produce pharmaceutical products in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rochester Complex Disputes partner Carolyn Nussbaum and Privacy & Technology partner Rick McGuirk served as counsel for the company. Rochester Labor & Employment partner Steve Jones is client attorney for Kodak. The NP team also included Rochester Complex Disputes associate Sarah Tufano, senior paralegal Amy Demanchick, and practice assistants Kathy Elhelw and Darbie James.
- Law Street
IDEXX Laboratories Inc sues former employees for disclosing trade secret information
This article covers a lawsuit filed by Maine-based veterinary diagnostics company IDEXX Laboratories against two former employees for allegedly violating trade secret laws and mentions NP for representing IDEXX Laboratories. The NP team is comprised of Labor & Employment partner Steve Jones and Complex Disputes associate Eric Ferrante, both in Rochester, and Chicago Privacy & Technology partner Richard Tilghman.March 1, 2022 - The Daily Record
Power 20 Litigation 2021
This article on Rochester’s Power 20 Litigation list for 2021 includes Rochester Labor & Employment partner Steve Jones. Coverage of the accolade also includes a Q&A feature story on Steve’s outlook on the legal industry, what he enjoys about being a litigator, and his community impact.Dec 23, 2021 - WHAM 1180 (Rochester)
Clerio Vision Radio Segment
This radio segment features Rochester Labor & Employment partner Stephen Jones for his work with client Clerio Vision, which spun off from University of Rochester’s laser and vision science research, and how he’s helped grow the biotech startup by leveraging Rochester assets.Nov 5, 2020 - Rochester Business Journal
Landscape is in flux for non-compete agreements
Rochester labor and employment partner Steve Jones is quoted in this article about recent changes to the New York laws surrounding non-compete agreements.June 10, 2016 - Rochester Business Journal
State Legislation Increases Wages, Mandates Family Leave
Rochester partners Jeff LaBarge and Steve Jones, counsel Todd Shinaman, and associates Joe Carello and Kim Harding co-authored this column discussing New York’s landmark legislation raising the minimum wage and mandating paid family leave.May 13, 2016 - Democrat & Chronicle
Interns: To pay or not to pay, that is the question
Rochester Labor & Employment partner Steve Jones authored this column in Sunday’s Democrat & Chronicle discussing summer internships and what employers need to keep in mind.Aug 2, 2015 - Rochester Business Journal
Scrutiny, Awareness Raise the Stakes for Employers
Rochester Labor & Employment partner Steve Jones is quoted throughout this article about trends in wage hour legislation and compliance. Click here to read the full article.May 1, 2015 - Democrat & Chronicle
Confusing Wage Laws Trip Up Businesses
Rochester Labor & Employment partner Steve Jones discusses how labor law violations, penalties and accusations can impact employers. Click here to read the full article.April 15, 2015 - Democrat & Chronicle
Nixon Peabody Attorney Hooked by TV Lawyers
This feature story profiles Rochester Labor & Employment partner Steve Jones. In the piece, Steve discusses a range of topics including his passion for employment law, how he developed his practice and the firm’s history in and commitment to Rochester.Nov 18, 2014 - New York Law Journal
Rising Stars
Rochester Labor & Employment partner Steve Jones is featured in this special section profiling the New York Law Journal’s 2014 Rising Stars honorees.June 16, 2014 - New York Law Journal
2014 Rising Stars
The New York Law Journal has selected Rochester Labor & Employment partner Steve Jones as one of the publication’s 2014 Rising Stars.May 1, 2014 - Rochester Business Journal
After 75 Years, It's Time to Reform Overtime Laws
This op-ed authored by Rochester Labor & Employment partner Steve Jones focuses on Fair Labor Standards Act and discusses proposed amendments to the Act.Dec 20, 2013
Admitted to practice
New York
U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
Education
Harvard University, M.P.A.
Syracuse University College of Law, J.D., cum laude
St. John Fisher College, B.A., cum laude
Professional activities
- American Bar Association
- New York State Bar Association
- Monroe County Bar Association
Recognition
- “Power 20 List for Litigation,” recognized as one of Western New York’s power players in the legal industry by the editorial boards of the Rochester Business Journal and the Daily Record (2021, 2023, 2024)
- Chambers’s “Band 1” rating in Upstate New York (2019-2024)
- Selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 in the field of Litigation - Labor and Employment; listed in Best Lawyers since 2017
- “Rising Stars” Award, New York Law Journal (2014)
- “40 Under 40” Award, Rochester Business Journal (2009)
Insights And Happenings
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View AllCharles M. Dyke
Partner / Leader, ERISA Litigation Practice- San Francisco
- Office:+1 415.984.8315
- cdyke@nixonpeabody.com
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