Russell L. Lichtenstein is widely recognized as one of New Jersey’s most effective management-side employment litigators. He serves as Chair of Cooper Levenson’s Employment & Labor Practice Group and the Casino & Hospitality Industry Defense Litigation Practice Group, where he is the firm’s lead trial counsel for casino clients.
A seasoned trial lawyer, Russell is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney and recognized by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a Certified Trial Advocate. He regularly appears before state and federal courts in New Jersey and represents clients before administrative agencies handling employment and labor matters. He is also admitted pro hac vice in multiple jurisdictions nationwide, assisting clients across the country in employment-related disputes.
In addition to his litigation practice, Russell has extensive experience in traditional labor law. He advises employers on collective bargaining, contract negotiation and drafting, daily labor relations issues, and the defense of unfair labor practice charges before the National Labor Relations Board.
In the casino and hospitality sector, Russell is regarded as a trusted resource for risk management. He works closely with casino leadership and operational departments-including facilities, security, food and beverage, housekeeping, construction, and maintenance-to defend claims and implement strategies that reduce liability exposure. He has particular expertise in defending security negligence claims, a key area of risk for the industry.
Credentials
Russell is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney and recognized by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a Certified Trial Advocate.
Before joining Cooper Levenson in 1983, Russell served with distinction as an Assistant Prosecutor in Cape May County.
Russell’s expertise as a former prosecutor has given him the investigative, analytical, and courtroom skills to mount an aggressive defense of any claim or allegation.
In the more than 30 years that he has been with Cooper Levenson, Russell has successfully defended cases brought against employers including:
•New Jersey Law Against Discrimination,
•New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act
•New Jersey Wage and Hour Law
•Title VII
•Age Discrimination in Employment Act
•Older Worker Benefit Protection Act
•Americans With Disabilities Act
•Fair Labor Standards Act
•WARN Act
Awards and Recognitions
•Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell in Labor Law, Employment Law, Employment Litigation
•Selected for inclusion on the New Jersey “Super Lawyers” list from 2005 - present in the areas of Labor Law, Employment Law, and Employment Litigation.
•Selected as one of New Jersey’s “Top Attorneys” in the employment litigation field by New Jersey Monthly Magazine in each year they have made that designation from 2004 through the present.
Community
•President - Jersey Shore Council of the Boy Scouts of America (served two terms)
Articles
•“Sick Leave Abuse Policy Found Not To Violate FMLA,” Employment Law Alert
•“Businesses must use revised form I-9,” CL Alert
•“New COBRA Subsidies Under The ARRA,” CL Alert
