Discrimination

Deena R. Merlen is a Partner at the firm. She serves clients at both our New York and Stamford offices and heads the Connecticut practice. Her practice areas include intellectual property, employment and labor law, media and entertainment, general business law, commercial transactions and dispute resolution. In her employment practice, Ms. Merlen is a trusted “go to” problem solver and counsel to individuals, established name brand companies and startups alike. She has extensive experience representing clients in matters including general counseling, discrimination actions, mediations and dispute resolution, investigations by federal or state agencies, as well as wage and hour claims and other labor law matters. She also advises on and regularly negotiates employment and separation agreements, independent contractor arrangements and other services-related arrangements. Ms. Merlen also counsels clients on employment and business matters in response to a crisis or other unexpected business impact, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting business closures, including continuity plans, employee furloughs, reductions in force and other critical measures. In her intellectual property practice, Ms. Merlen helps her clients with the development, acquisition and protection of their valuable brands and other vital intellectual property assets. She manages and grows trademark portfolios in the U.S. and internationally; negotiates licensing, assignment, distribution and branding agreements; prosecutes trademark and copyright registrations; enforces intellectual property rights; and provides strategic counsel to safeguard brand platforms and expand the value of her clients’ intellectual property assets. Ms. Merlen’s media practice encompasses the development and protection of creative works in the fields of music, film, television, theatre, publishing, literary arts, performing arts, design and technology. She ran her own business in the entertainment industry for over a decade and brings that business experience and acumen to her legal practice. In addition, Ms. Merlen provides general business counsel and represents clients in company and transactional matters such as partnerships, joint ventures, licensing arrangements, the purchase or sale of businesses, and a wide range of other corporate matters, including company formation, capitalization and governance, compliance and contracts. Representative clients include technology companies, schools and other academic institutions, personal care and beauty companies, fashion and design companies, media, arts and entertainment companies, wholesalers, retailers and more. Prior to her work with RPJ, Ms. Merlen served as Law Clerk to The Honorable Roger J. Miner of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, after which she joined Debevoise & Plimpton, where she practiced for over five years in the areas of corporate law and intellectual property. Ms. Merlen is admitted to practice in Connecticut and New York.

Colleen Van Egmond is an accomplished lawyer that has extensive legal experience in business planning, business litigation, estate planning, estate litigation, probates, employment law, agriculture law, along with accident and injuries. She has worked for such law firms as Thayer Harvey Gregerson Hedberg & Jackson along with Curtis & Arata prior to becoming the managing partner with Arata Swingle Van Egmond & Goodwin. In addition to her legal experience, she is currently active in different associations such as Association of Defense Council, Stanislaus County Bar Association and the Children's Crisis Center. Colleen Van Egmond graduated from the McGeorge School of Law with an honors in taxation and was admitted to the California State Bar in 2005. In addition to her legal degree, Ms. Van Egmond has a B.S. in Managerial Economics and a A.S. in Agriculture Business.

Antonio Gonzalez is a seasoned litigator in the employment law field. He started his law career defending employers in employment cases such as discrimination and harassment lawsuits, as well as providing advice and counsel to employers. After defending employers for six years, Antonio opened up his own practice, Gonzalez Law. His current practice focuses exclusively on representing employees in employment-related lawsuits. Antonio received his JD from Loyola Law School, where he was an editor for the Loyola Law Review. During law school he also externed for then U.S. District Court Judge and former California Supreme Court Justice, Carlos Moreno. He received his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Stanford University. Gonzalez Law is a Los Angeles area labor & employment law firm exclusively representing employees with respect to workplace matters. Since the firm’s inception, the goals and philosophy is to assist individuals and their families obtain justice. Additionally, the firm assures that companies who are engaging in unlawful conduct take corrective action and provide a workplace free of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage violations, and unlawful conduct towards employees. The firm cares about its clients, providing special care to every case and treating every client with respect. Please call us for a free employment law consultation.

Mr. Friedman received his undergraduate degree (economics) from the University of Chicago in 1984, and his juris doctorate from the University of Chicago Law School in 1987. In 2002, Mr. Friedman formed the Law Office of Jeffrey Friedman, P.C. Mr. Friedman is a member of the Board of Managers of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice. He is admitted to practice law in the State of Illinois, and before the general and trial bars of the Northern District of Illinois, and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Friedman has served as an arbitrator with the Cook County Mandatory Arbitration program, and has also served as an instructor at Roosevelt College. Jeffrey Friedman represents victims and their families in connection with all types of unfortunate accidents, such as car accidents, motorcycle accidents, trucking accidents, as well as construction site accidents, premises liability, and other accidents caused by the wrongdoing of some other individual or company. Jeffrey Friedman also represents individuals who have been misdiagnosed, who have received negligent medical care and treatment, and who have suffered other types of medical malpractice.

Mark is a trial attorney and founder of Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm where he represents individuals or families who have suffered an injury or the loss of a loved one. He has civil litigation experience in the areas of motor carrier/transportation liability (tractor-trailer wrecks), motor vehicle accidents, product liability, premises liability, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, employment discrimination, and insurance bad faith. Mark was voted as one of Georgia’s Elite Lawyers by his peers. He has also been voted by the people of the Columbus Community as a Reader’s Choice Award Winner in the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. Mark has litigated cases across the State of Georgia and other states including, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Texas and New Jersey. Garnering Courtroom Experience as a Former Prosecutor Mark’s career began at the Office of District Attorney where he prosecuted numerous cases and was specifically assigned to prosecute child victim crimes. Mark acted as lead prosecutor in over 50 jury trials in Superior Courts of Georgia with an astonishing success rate. Mark was a sole practitioner attorney for almost five years. In his sole practice, Mark gained extensive experience in representing the injured victim due to others' neglect. Mark, also, handled numerous criminal defense cases including the successful trial defense of an individual accused of murder. Additionally, Mark handled contested and complex domestic/divorce cases. All in all, Mark has developed a great skill in the presentation of his cases at trial. The History of Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm In January 2006, Mark was a founding partner of The Law Firm of Bennett and Casto. Mark’s practice focus on injured persons expanded to include personal injury, workers compensation, Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse, medical malpractice and employment discrimination claims. Ten years later, in April 2016, Mark founded Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm on the premise of providing superior service to his clients. Believing that it is hypocritical to sue medical doctors when also asking these doctors to care for his personal injury and worker’s compensation clients, Mark will not file a claim against a doctor for medical malpractice, but rather the hospital or other negligent parties. Successful Appellate Practice Mark also has handled numerous cases on appeal. He has argued in person before the Georgia Supreme Court and Georgia Court of Appeals. He has never lost an appeal in which he was allowed to argue in person before the Appellate Judges.

With over 15 years of experience in employment litigation, Brian Sudano is a distinguished legal professional who is dedicated to protecting the rights of employees against some of the country’s largest corporations. Mr. Sudano has successfully handled a wide range of employment-related cases, including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation and wage disputes. His extensive knowledge of employment laws and regulations allows him to provide strategic guidance and effective representation to clients. Brian Sudano understands the complexities and sensitivities surrounding employment litigation, and approaches each case committed to achieving the best possible outcome. If you are an employee seeking justice for workplace mistreatment, contact us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your rights under the law.

Marsh Law Firm focuses our legal practice exclusively on representing survivors of sexual abuse and discrimination. We pride ourselves on being survivor focused, trauma informed, and justice-oriented lawyers. We advocate for our clients both in and out of the courtroom to secure justice and hold perpetrators and the institutions that enable abuse accountable. Our legal team understands that disclosing sexual abuse is an incredibly difficult process. Our goal is to work closely with each of our clients and approach each situation with empathy, respect, and understanding. Our first promise to our clients is that we will support them throughout their healing journey. Marsh Law Firm has a robust legal practice in New York and Pennsylvania. Our attorneys have substantial experience handling claims involving childhood sexual abuse, including claims against the Catholic Church and other institutions, adult sexual abuse, as well as online sexual exploitation and child sex abuse material (CSAM). Our attorneys represent survivors of campus sexual assault and discrimination in educational settings at the K-12, college, or university level, state and federal administrative proceedings, and in the courts. Marsh Law Firm celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive atmosphere that is welcoming to all. We help survivors rebuild their lives with dignity and respect through comprehensive legal representation. Contact us today for a free legal consultation.

Partner, Nicholas J. Repici, is a member of the firm’s Labor and Employment Law; Public Entity Defense; Education Law; and Land Use, Planning and Zoning Law Practice Groups. Mr. Repici has served as Labor Counsel, General Counsel and Special Litigation Counsel for numerous municipalities, counties, authorities, school boards and other public entities throughout New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. Mr. Repici has extensive experience handling public and private sector collective bargaining negotiations, grievance arbitrations, unfair labor practice proceedings and employee disciplinary matters. He also regularly represents management in all types of employment litigation matters including claims involving discrimination, harassment, hostile work environment, wrongful termination, wage and hour laws, whistle-blower activity, restrictive covenants and trade secrets. In addition, Mr. Repici counsels employers regarding workplace policies and procedures, employee leave issues and wage and hour compliance. He handles complex commercial litigation involving: commercial real estate and land use matters, construction matters, contract and business disputes, fraud and misrepresentation and public contract and bid protests. Mr. Repici's education law practice includes representing universities, public school districts and charter schools in matters involving tenure dismissal, non-renewal, employee disciplinary actions, employment litigation, public records disclosure, public meeting compliance, public bidding, board governance and ethical issues. Mr. Repici is the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Durand Foundation and serves as an Executive Board Member for the Moorestown Youth Baseball Association.

Bryan Arce is a New York City employment discrimination attorney and a Managing Partner at the law firm of Phillips & Associates. Mr. Arce is committed to representing workers who have been subject to harassment and other misconduct, such as wage and hour violations. Through his prior law firm, Mr. Arce and his associates have been part of million-dollar-plus verdicts - Including a $1.6 million verdict, a $2.5 million verdict, a $2.2 million verdict, and a $4.25 million verdict. Unlike many other litigators, Mr. Arce has first-hand experience with these violations. He spent 12 years working as a chef in the food service and hospitality industry, and he understands the kinds of harm that may result.

Mr. Hurlbut has over thirty years of experience in representing clients in both Federal and Texas state courts, from commencement of a suit through trial and appeals. He is as comfortable prosecuting a lawsuit as he is in defending a lawsuit. He has handled a large variety of legal disputes and lawsuits, from fraud, business disputes, partnership disputes, deceptive trade practices, construction defects, breach of contract, discrimination claims, and wrongful termination. Mr. Hurlbut has extensive experience in advising and representing small and medium size businesses as well as professionals in their employment, business and real estate matters. He advises business owners and HR on handling problem employees, company policies, discipline, termination and law-offs as well as defends businesses against employment-related claims. For years, he has also represented and counseled individuals and employees in discrimination claims, retaliation claims, wrongful terminations, workplace tort claims, contract and wage disputes, and lawsuits Prior to founding the Hurlbut Law Firm, Mr. Hurlbut was a shareholder in Bush, Hurlbut & Morrison, after previously a senior associate in Rohne, Hoodenpyle, Lobert & Myers. He obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Southern Methodist University and Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. He has been active and has assumed leadership positions in numerous bar, pro bono, civic and charitable activities, organizations and boards. Mr. Hurlbut was President of the Arlington Bar Association in 1992-1993 and was named in Tarrant County’s Top Attorneys, in the Fort Worth, Texas, the City’s Magazine in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. He was Chair of the Pro Bono Advisory Board for West Texas Legal Services and then Legal Aid of Northwest Texas between 1993 – 2012. In 2005 he was honored with the Equal Justice Award, Legal Aid of Northwest Texas.