Stephen Aronson concentrates his practice on employment litigation and employer counseling. He regularly defends companies in federal and state court and before administrative agencies in the full range of employment law claims. In 2007, he won a defense verdict in a lawsuit filed in Connecticut state court by the former vice president of human resources of a specialty chemical company alleging that he was not paid certain amounts for two bonus awards and claiming breach of contract, promissory estoppel, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, and breach of an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. In 2004, he prevailed in two court trials, one defending an aerospace company from wage and hour claims and the second defending a municipal employer from race discrimination, hostile environment, and retaliation civil rights claims. Drawing on his experience as in-house employment counsel, Mr. Aronson also counsels companies and human resource professionals on litigation avoidance techniques, investigations, policies, discipline and performance management, governmental and internal audits, employment contracts, contingent worker liabilities, severance and separation agreements, workplace safety, individual terminations and reductions in force, and noncompete, nondisparagement, nonsolicitation, and confidentiality agreements. Mr. Aronson often presents seminars on employment law topics, including litigation strategies, personal liability, wage and hour claims, COBRA, ERISA, employment at will, wrongful discharge, employment contracts, handbooks, defamation, privacy rights, reductions in force, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and workplace violence. He has authored articles on Title VII damages, contingent worker liabilities, wage and hour claims, discrimination litigation, and other topics. Professional Associations - American Inns of Court, Former Secretary - Connecticut Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section - Society for Human Resource Management Honors and Awards - Listed in Connecticut Super Lawyers® in the area of Employment & Labor Law for 2011, 2007, and 2006 (Super Lawyers is a registered trademark of Key Professional Media, Inc.) Experience - Won summary judgment in an age discrimination case under the ADEA where a 64-year-old employee sued his employer, an aerospace technology company, after his 34-year-old supervisor decided to lay him off rather than his 20- or 34-year-old coworkers. - Defended a global specialty chemical company in a lawsuit filed in Connecticut state court by its former vice president of human resources alleging that he was not paid certain amounts for two bonus awards and claiming breach of contract, promissory estoppel, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, and breach of an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. As part of his claims, the former employee alleged that the company's chairman and CEO committed fraud, made material misrepresentations, and acted in bad faith. A jury in Danbury Superior Court returned a verdict in favor of our client on all claims. - Represented a national truck rental company in lawsuits filed by two current and six former employees alleging discrimination based on sex, race, color, and national origin, and retaliation for having opposed discrimination in the workplace in violation of Title VII, Section 1981, and Connecticut law. The plaintiffs also sought to have their claims certified as a class action. Successfully positioned the cases for mediation that resulted in a favorable global settlement. - After a trial, defeated claims by a former employee for breach of an employment contract, for failure to pay wages under Connecticut's wage payment statutes, and for failure to pay severance. - After a three-day trial, a federal court jury returned a verdict in favor of our client, a municipal corporation, against an employee claiming race discrimination, hostile environment, and retaliation under Sections 1981 and 1983 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Acts. - Investigated and prosecuted former president, vice president, and plant manager in claims alleging misappropriation of trade secrets, theft, and breach of fiduciary duties for establishing and running a competitive business using our client's employees. Worked with private investigators, forensic accountants, and police officers to gather evidence establishing claims. Served as temporary in-house employment department, handling terminations, payroll, benefits, security, communications, and other matters. - Representation of the board of directors of the Housing Authority of the City of New London on executive personnel matters. - Successfully defended state municipal oversight board from challenge to board and municipality's conversion of retirees from indemnity health plans to preferred provider plans, resulting in substantial cost savings to municipality. - Obtained summary judgment for employer on all claims where former employee alleged breach of contract, wrongful discharge in violation of right to freedom of speech, violation of whistleblower statute, negligent misrepresentation, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. - Successfully defeated appeal of summary judgment on claims of race discrimination in violation of Title VII and Section 1981 and disability discrimination and failure to accommodate under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). - Defended lumberyard and its president from common law claims for breach of an implied employment agreement and for unpaid bonuses (minimal jury verdict resulted in plaintiff recovering nothing). - Successfully defended national insurer in a four-day trial from precedent-setting claim by the Connecticut Department of Labor (DOL) seeking compensatory and liquidated damages for unpaid sales commissions to managers based on an agreement used nationally for all managers. - Defended property management company from claims by the Connecticut DOL seeking damages, fines, and penalties for allegedly misclassifying independent contractors and for unpaid wages for employees subject to call while away from the properties. - Successfully obtained dismissal of ADA disability discrimination and retaliation claims filed against company and two managers by former employee who underwent eye surgery and had scheduled back surgery at the time of his termination. - Served as local counsel to Dominion Resources Inc. in acquisition in Connecticut and continued as employment counsel. Counseled acquirer and local human resources professionals on due diligence, hiring and termination issues, wage and hour compliance, and other employment-related matters. Publications & Presentations Articles - "Enforcement of Arbitration Agreements under the FAA May Shield Employers from FLSA Class Actions" (10/2002), published in Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin - "Front Pay is Not Subject to Title VII Damages Cap" (7/1/2001), published in Bender's Labor & Employment Bulletin - "Paying Employees for Travel Time" (5/2001), published in CBIA News, a publication of the CBIA - "Professional Discipline Digest" (1994 to present), published in Connecticut Lawyer Magazine Books - Human Resources Guide to Recruiting, Retaining, and Rewarding Employees (Spring 2002), published by Smaller Business Association of New England Presentations - "Managing a Mobile Workforce: Complying with Wage and Hour Laws and Protecting Company Interests," copresented with Jean E. Tomasco, moderated by Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson (5/25/2011), webinar - "Recent Trends in Employment Law Claims: Update for Petroleum Marketers" (6/10/2008) - "Noncompetition Agreements and Trade Secret Protection: Current Trends, Tips, and Best Practices" (1/16/2008 and 11/12/2008) - "Protecting ECHN from Liability: E-Mails and Electronic Discovery" (10/18/2007), a seminar presented for the senior leadership team of client Eastern Connecticut Health Network - "Employee or Independent Contractor? Managing the Risk" (10/4/2007) presented at Truck Conference 2007, sponsored by the Motor Transportation Association of Connecticut - "Protecting Your Organization from Liability for Breaches of Data Privacy and Other Burgeoning Privacy Issues" (5/16 to 5/17/2007) - "Recent Developments in Employment Law 2007" (5/16 to 5/17/2007) presented at COEM - "Advanced FMLA: Strategies to Solve Your Most Complex FMLA Challenges" (3/15/2007) presented at COEM - "Challenges Facing Payroll Managers in an Electronic Workplace" (6/23/2005) presented at American Payroll Association, Hartford Chapter, quarterly meeting - "Guidelines for the Generation, Retention, and Destruction of HR Records in an Increasingly Electronic World," copresented with Jean Tomasco (6/3/2005) at Connecticut Business & Industry Association's (CBIA) Human Resources Conference at the new Connecticut Convention Center - "E-Discovery, Litigation Holds and Best Practices" (5/11/2005) presented at "Tour of the Electronic Workplace, Business Environment and Litigation Protocols," an executive roundtable - "Do You Know Where Your Electronic Records Are Located?" (3/2005) presented at Robinson & Cole Employment Roundtable - "Trial Presentation Technology for Today's Lawyers" (6/4/2004) presented at Annual Meeting of United States Law Firm Group, Hartford, Connecticut - "Hot Topics in Labor and Employment Law for Connecticut Employers" (10/7/2003) presented at Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, Inc., Innovative Expo 2003 - "Proposed Changes to the Federal Wage and Hour Laws and Recent Changes to the Connectict Personnel Files Act" (6/19/2003) presented at Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce, Inc. - "Deposing the Plaintiff in an Employment Lawsuit" (1/28/2003) presented at LEB in Practice - "Alternative Careers for In-House Lawyers: Going Into Private Practice" (9/19/2002) presented at Inaugural Careers Evening Seminar, sponsored by the Connecticut Chapter of the American Corporate Counsel Association and the Corporate Counsel Section of the Connecticut Bar Association - "Benefiting from Diversity" (2/2001), an in-house diversity training program - "Employee or Independent Contractor?" (10/2000) presented at Truck Conference 2000 Seminar, sponsored by the Motor Transport Association of Connecticut, Inc. - "An Overview of the FMCSA's Hours of Service Reform Proposal" (6/2000), sponsored by the Motor Transport Association of Connecticut, Inc. - "OSHA Compliance and Your Lawyer" (6/2000) presented at EH&S Compliance and Inspections, sponsored by the Briarwood Summer Institute and the CBIA - "Minimizing Your Personal Liability When Implementing Terminations" (2/24 to 2/25/2000) presented at Progressive Discipline, Coaching, and Termination Law Seminar, sponsored by the Council on Education in Management News 6.03.11, Labor and Employment Attorneys Discuss Legal Considerations of Telework Arrangements 5.25.11, Stephen Aronson Writes Professional Discipline Digest 5.20.10, Robinson & Cole Attorneys Featured in Health Care Reform Book 4.28.10, Robinson & Cole Attorney Speaks at Regional Economic Development Forum 3.30.10, Robinson & Cole Attorney Speaks at Continuing Legal Education Seminar on the Discovery Process in Employment Litigation 11.30.09, Robinson & Cole Attorneys Receive Spotlight Award for Community Work 11.20.09, Robinson & Cole Attorney Speaks at Educational Seminar on the Impact of Smoking on Businesses 11.12.09, Robinson & Cole Attorneys Present on Employment Program to Connecticut Chapter of American Institute of Architects 4.07.09, Robinson & Cole Attorneys Present Webinar to Fuel Industry 1.23.08, Robinson & Cole Partner Authors "Digest" for Connecticut Lawyer Magazine |