Employment & Complex Litigation Attorneys

For over 35 years, Leeds Brown Law, P.C. has protected the rights of clients. As one of the region’s most established litigation firms, we pride ourselves on delivering personal service with integrity and professionalism. Our attorneys are experienced in negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation in both state and federal courts, with a primary focus on employment law matters such as civil rights violations, sexual harassment, and discrimination based on race, age, gender, or disability.

Recovered For Our Clients

$ 100000000 +

Recovered in Employment Discrimination

1 +

Years of Experience

1 +

Sexual Harassment

Sex Discrimination in the Workplace

Pregnancy Discrimination

Employment Age Discrimination

Employment Disability Discrimination

Race Discrimination

Whistleblower

Teacher's Rights

Some of Our Employment Litigation Successes

LBL has helped secure substantial public settlements and precedent-setting decisions, including:

Nearly $1 million NYPD settlement : Officer Danielle Campo secured nearly $1 million redress for pervasive sex harassment.
$2 million salon harassment suit : Gender‑expression bias at a high‑profile Manhattan hair studio.
$380 k federal jury verdict: One of NY’s first LGBTQ+ officer harassment wins.
$750 k jury verdict: Village punished landlord for renting to minorities.
$2 million pregnancy‑bias claim: Unmarried teacher fired for expecting a child.
Race & retaliation suit v. Gucci: Tax lawyer alleged systemic bias and Rihanna endorsement scandal.
$5 million jury verdict: Middle‑school dean tormented after whistleblowing.

$1M NYDP Settlement

In 2022, the City of New York agreed to pay over $1 million to settle a lawsuit brought by NYPD officer Danielle Campo, who alleged years of sexual harassment and retaliation by supervisors and colleagues. Campo claimed she faced unwanted advances, inappropriate comments, and professional retaliation after reporting the misconduct. The settlement provided significant compensation and brought attention to ongoing issues of harassment within the NYPD.

$2 M Salon Harassment Suit

In a $2 million lawsuit against Manhattan’s high-profile salon Bumble & Bumble, hair assistant Dawn Dawson alleged workplace harassment based on gender expression, claiming she was mocked for not fitting stereotypical expectations of femininity. Represented by Leeds, Morelli & Brown, Dawson’s case drew attention for its celebrity clientele and for highlighting discrimination based on gender identity and presentation.

$380K Federal Jury Verdict

Former Nassau County police officer James Quinn won a $380,000 federal jury verdict after proving he was harassed and discriminated against by fellow officers because of his sexual orientation. Quinn’s case was one of the first in New York — and among the earliest nationwide — to hold a government entity liable for anti-gay workplace harassment, marking a significant precedent in civil rights law.

$2M Pregnancy-bias Claim

Michelle Redhead, a teacher at a Seventh-day Adventist school, won a $2 million pregnancy discrimination settlement after being fired for becoming pregnant outside of marriage. Redhead’s supervisors claimed the dismissal aligned with church doctrine, but her attorneys argued it violated state and federal law barring discrimination based on pregnancy and marital status. The case underscored workplace protections for educators at religious-affiliated institutions teaching primarily secular subjects.

$129 K ADA Jury Award + Reinstatement

Christopher Hoey, a Nassau County police officer diagnosed with bipolar disorder, won a $129,500 federal jury verdict after proving department leaders unlawfully restricted him to desk duty and stripped him of his firearm for over six years following a manic episode. Represented by Leeds Brown Law, Hoey’s case reinforced ADA protections against workplace discrimination based on mental health conditions and secured his reinstatement to full-duty status.

$5 Million Jury Verdict

Cheryl Farb, the first dean of students at Baldwin Middle School, won a $5 million jury verdict for emotional distress and retaliation after alleging that Principal James Brown harassed her and orchestrated a campaign to drive her out of her job once she complained about discriminatory treatment. The jury awarded Farb $4 million in damages plus $1 million in punitive damages, along with $250,000 to her husband for loss of consortium. Represented by Leeds Brown Law, Farb’s case spotlighted retaliation and intentional infliction of emotional distress in the workplace, even absent a sexual harassment finding.

$7 M Sex‑Harassment Claim by School Aide

Ulana Illiano, a former administrative assistant in the Mineola school district, filed a $7 million federal lawsuit alleging she was sexually harassed by senior administrators and subjected to frequent anti-Semitic remarks. Illiano claimed Deputy Superintendent Michael Nagler made unwanted advances and Superintendent Lorenzo Licopoli used slurs in the workplace. Represented by Leeds Brown Law, the suit underscored the firm’s advocacy in cases involving both sexual harassment and discriminatory workplace culture within public school systems.

$145K First Amendment Settlement

Jay Silverstein, former guidance director for the Lawrence School District, received a $145,000 settlement after alleging he was fired for being perceived as “anti-Orthodox.” Silverstein claimed his dismissal violated his First Amendment rights and stemmed from board members’ religious biases, despite strong performance reviews. Represented by Leeds Brown Law, the case emphasized that perceptions about religion cannot dictate employment decisions in public schools.

Judicial Recognition

Judges across multiple jurisdictions have repeatedly praised Leeds Brown Law for its exceptional advocacy and commitment to clients. Courts have commended the firm’s “first-rate” work, recognizing its substantial effort, strong knowledge of class action law, and vigorous representation of class members. From comments highlighting the firm’s excellent organization and zealous advocacy to acknowledgments of its extensive experience in complex litigation, Leeds Brown has consistently earned the respect of the bench for its dedication and results.

Arredondo v. Univ. of La Verne (C.D. Cal. Feb. 8, 2022)
“Counsel here has done significant work in identifying and investigating potential claims, including bringing a meritorious motion for class certification supported by ample evidence. Counsel also has a wealth of experience handling class actions.… Counsel has demonstrated strong knowledge of the applicable law throughout the briefing process for this class certification motion. And finally, counsel has demonstrated it will commit sufficient resources to represent the class in this heavily litigated case.”

Meehan v. Roadmaster Drivers School, Inc. (E.D. Pa. Sept. 18, 2024)
“[A]s to the work Counsel has put in its -- from where I’m sitting, it’s been substantial, and it’s been first rate.” “[E]ach [of the firms] has represented their client with zeal and vigor.”

Swetz v. The Clorox Company (S.D.N.Y. May 22, 2024)
“I'm delighted that you were able to resolve this. I think very highly of lawyers [including LBL] who actually take on these matters. And I noticed, with the Court's approval, there was a fair amount of self-organization at the beginning of this . . . So I very much appreciate what you've done. I think you did an excellent job.”

Dixon v. Lincoln University (E.D. Pa. May 6, 2025)
“Here, the proposed class counsel—Nicholas Colella, Esquire and Anthony Alesandro, Esquire—are qualified to ‘fairly and adequately represent the interests of the class.’ Colella and Alesandro have substantial experience handling class litigation and have worked on many other COVID-19 college refund lawsuits.”

Our Employment Litigation Team

At Leeds Brown Law, our Employment & Complex Litigation Team combines decades of experience with a record of landmark results. Our attorneys have secured millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for employees, professionals, and individuals facing discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage disputes, and contractual conflicts. From high-profile employment cases to precedent-setting constitutional claims, our team is recognized for its skill in handling sensitive workplace issues and complex litigation with integrity, determination, and unwavering commitment to justice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of workplace issues can your firm help with?

Our attorneys handle a wide range of employment disputes, including discrimination based on age, race, gender, disability, pregnancy, or sexual orientation, as well as sexual harassment, wage and hour violations, wrongful termination, retaliation, breach of contract, and hostile work environment claims. We also take on complex litigation matters involving high-stakes disputes between employees and large corporations.

How do attorney fees work in employment and complex litigation cases?

In most cases, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay any legal fees unless we recover money for you through a settlement or verdict. In some matters, such as certain business or contract disputes, we may work hourly or on a hybrid arrangement. We always discuss fee structures up front so you know exactly what to expect.

What should I do if I think I’ve been discriminated against or wrongfully terminated?

First, document everything — keep records of emails, texts, performance reviews, or witness statements that may support your claim. Do not sign anything from your employer without reviewing it carefully. Then, reach out to an experienced employment attorney as soon as possible. Deadlines for filing discrimination or wrongful termination claims can be very short, so acting quickly helps protect your rights.

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