Stuart M. Katz

Stuart is the only lawyer in Connecticut who has been named "Lawyer of the Year" by the Best Lawyers in America® for representing both Management and Individuals in the area of Employment Law, recognition that reflects his unique experience on both sides of the employer-employee relationship. A strong advocate who brings a strategic, big picture approach to every case, these attributes have been recognized in Chambers USA (2020) where sources say: “He works with clients very well and keeps them informed. He is one of my go-to people for employment litigation and is all-around excellent."

Employment Law

Stuart is chair of the firm’s Employment and Labor Practice Group. He represents employers of all sizes in defending a wide range of discrimination and harassment suits and litigating restrictive covenant, breach of contract and wage claims. Stuart also represents professionals and executives in matters relating to their employment. He routinely provides workplace trainings and guidance to employers and employees regarding personnel policies, handbooks and employee discipline. Stuart’s employment practice includes representation of clients in both state and federal courts, often acting as local counsel for out-of-state law firms and companies. He regularly handles matters before the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Department of Labor and other administrative agencies. Stuart also serves as an arbitrator and mediator for employment disputes.

Commercial Litigation

Stuart is also chair of the firm’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice Group and handles complex business disputes of all kinds. He represents clients ranging from owners of closely-held businesses to municipalities in cases involving claims of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, violations of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA), and various business torts. He regularly appears in both state and federal courts and before alternate dispute resolution organizations such as the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), as well as other arbitration and mediation neutrals.

Involvement

In addition to leading firm practice groups, Stuart chairs the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee. This committee has undertaken a number of initiatives aimed at promoting greater diversity and inclusion in the legal field, and at Cohen and Wolf. Stuart has previously chaired the firm’s Marketing and Recruitment committees.

Active in his community, Stuart currently serves as president of the board of directors of Camp Ramah in New England. He served for many years as an associate national commissioner and on the regional executive committee of the Anti-Defamation League and on the board of directors of Ezra Academy. He is also a past-President of Temple Beth Sholom in Hamden.

CREDENTIALS

HONORS & AWARDS

Benchmark Litigation Star, 2011-present

Benchmark Litigation Labor & Employment Star, Northeast, 2019

Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year”, Employment Law-Management, Stamford, CT metro area, 2018

Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year”, Employment Law-Individuals, Stamford, CT metro area, 2016

Best Lawyers®, Employment Law, Management and Individuals, 2013-present

Best Lawyers®, Litigation, Labor & Employment, 2013-present

Chambers USA, Employment Law, 2008-present

Connecticut Super Lawyers “Top Ten” List, 2013-2015

Connecticut Super Lawyers “Top 50” List, 2012-2018

Super Lawyers®, "Top 100 New England Super Lawyers". 2013-2015, 2017-2019

Connecticut Super Lawyers®, 2009-present

Martindale-Hubbell®, AV® Preeminent™ Peer Rating

ADL Daniel Ginsberg Leadership Award, 1997

Connecticut Law Tribune, "New Leader in the Law" Award, 2003

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

• Pitfalls of Worker Misclassification; A webinar sponsored by CEDF featuring guest speaker, Attorney Stuart Katz

Webinar, 04.30.2020

• What Employers Need to Know About Coronavirus-Related Paid Leave and Unemployment

Webinar, 04.24.2020

• What Employers Need to Know Now

Webinar, 04.13.2020

• What Connecticut Employers Need to Know Before April 1st

Webinar (replay available), 03.31.2020

• Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

Delamar Southport, The Cunningham Room, 03.24.2020

• New CT employer mandates - what a small business owner needs to know

Webinar, 01.09.2020

• Worker Classification: Avoiding Pitfalls and Penalties

Webinar, 11.21.2019

• The #MeToo Movement and Its Place in the Work Environment

Brooklawn Country Club, 11.20.2019

• How to Avoid Common Legal Pitfalls for Employers

Outriggers Restaurant, Stratford, CT, 10.30.2019

• How to Avoid Common Legal Pitfalls for Employers

Iron Brewing Company, 09.18.2019

• Cohen and Wolf's Employment and Labor Group to Host a Spring Breakfast Seminar

Westport Country Playhouse, 04.18.2018

• Employers' Primer on Sexual Discrimination and Harassment

04.10.2018

PUBLICATIONS

• EEOC Updates Guidance on COVID-19 ADA, Hiring and Discrimination Issues

04.20.2020

• Connecticut Employees Required to Wear Masks Beginning This Week

04.19.2020

• U.S. DOL Issues Regulations Regarding the FFCRA's New Emergency Leave Laws

04.02.2020

• U.S. DOL Provides Guidance on Exemptions From New Emergency Leave Laws for Small Businesses and Health Care Providers

03.30.2020

• Expanded Q&A From U.S. DOL Clarifies Some Confusion on New Emergency Leave Laws

03.28.2020

• DOL Issues Additional Guidance on New Emergency Leave Laws

03.25.2020

• Updated Coronavirus Client Alert for Connecticut Employers: Emergency Family & Medical Leave Act and Paid Sick Leave Act

03.19.2020

• Challenging Times for CT Employers: The Impact of COVID-19

03.18.2020

• Workplace Bullying - Do You Have a Proactive Anti-Bullying Policy in Place?

brbc.org, 04.20.2015

• Attorney talks employer responsibilities in Sandys wake

westfaironline.com, 11.30.2012

• Q&A on Accounting for Wages Lost to the Weather

CT Post, News Times, The Advocate, Greenwich Time, 11.16.2012

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Camp Ramah in New England, President, 2018- Present

Ezra Academy, Former member of Executive Committee and Board of Directors, 2014-2018

Anti-Defamation League, Associate National Commissioner, Regional Executive Committee, 1996-2016

Temple Beth Sholom, Past President, 2006-2008

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

American Bar Association

Connecticut Bar Association

• Labor & Employment Section, Executive Committee

Greater Bridgeport Bar Association

National Arbitration and Mediation (NAM): Arbitrator and Mediator