Brendan N. Gooley

Brendan Gooley counsels and defends independent schools and colleges and universities in an array of matters, including student injuries and student discipline, with a particular focus on Title IX and FERPA issues. Brendan regularly advises schools regarding processes for disciplining students and defends schools in Title IX and breach of contract cases brought by students challenging discipline imposed on them. He has also defended schools in student injury cases ranging from wrongful death claims to slip and falls.

Brendan also advises employers on a wide array of employment matters, including various claims of employment discrimination and sexual harassment under Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act. When those claims result in litigation, Brendan defends employers in all stages of litigation, including proceedings before the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities and in court. He also advises insurers on coverage matters.

Brendan is an editor of BLR's Connecticut Employment Law Letter, where he regularly writes about new developments relevant to Connecticut employers.

Brendan served as a law clerk to the Honorable Christopher F. Droney of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and to the Honorable Andrew J. McDonald of the Connecticut Supreme Court, and he brings the experience gained from those clerkships to all aspects of his practice, including the appellate matters he handles.

Brendan also maintains an active pro bono practice, and his clients have included the Connecticut State Association of Math Leagues, a prisoner in a civil rights case, and children in the care of Connecticut's Department of Children and Families.

Experience

Obtained a defense verdict in a jury trial related to serious student injuries where the plaintiff sought damages of more than $26 million.

Obtained summary judgment in case against school related to mandated reporting obligations where a school was sued for contacting DCF.

Obtained summary judgment of breach of contract claims by students suspended after being accused of sexual misconduct and obtained affirmance of dismissal of one student's claim on appeal.

Obtained summary judgment of personal injury claims by children and parents related to slip and fall on school property.

Obtained dismissal of claims by parent related to school's adherence to restraining order.

Successfully represented creditor in appeal of judgment it obtained for breach of an equipment finance agreement.

Obtained dismissal of employment discrimination claims by terminated employee.

Prevailed in denial of unemployment benefits claims by disgruntled employee.

Obtained order granting a motion to strike housing discrimination complaint brought by state commission of human rights.

Obtained summary judgment on all counts as to all plaintiffs in premises liability matter against school, including claims of catastrophic injuries, bystander distress, and in the face of multimillion-dollar demands.

Blog Posts

Honors & Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America (2027)

The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch (2021–2026)

Top Author, Alternative Dispute Resolution, JD Supra Readers Choice Awards (2026)

Connecticut Rising Stars, Super Lawyers Magazine (2024–2025)

No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the highest court of any state. See Awards Methodology.

Professional & Community Involvement

Brendan serves on the board of directors of Lawyers for Children America.

Brendan is a frequent contributor to the firm's Reinsurance & Arbitration Focus blog, where he covers reinsurance and arbitration developments. At the University of Connecticut School of Law, he served as managing editor of the Connecticut Law Review and was a member of the Connecticut Moot Court Board.