Jonathan Sterling

Jon Sterling defends employers against claims by current and former employees, including claims of wrongful discharge, unpaid wages, and harassment. He appreciates that employment disputes often feel personal, and his goal is to relieve employers of both the legal and the emotional burden they face. His clients include schools, colleges, businesses, municipalities, and other organizations, as well as individuals who have been sued in employment-related litigation.

In court nearly every week, Jon defends employers in cases involving FLSA, FMLA, ERISA, freedom of expression, workers' compensation retaliation, and common law claims. He has obtained numerous dismissals of lawsuits, as well as of administrative complaints filed with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO). Jon routinely defends employers in CHRO and EEOC investigations and has successfully litigated against the CHRO in Superior Court.

Jon also provides proactive advice to help employers stay compliant with employment laws and avoid litigation. Each day, he assists employers with practical matters, including reviewing and drafting employee handbooks, employment agreements, noncompete agreements, and arbitration agreements, and advises them on a variety of issues, such as terminations, investigations, reductions in force, and wage and hour issues, and in developing areas like biometrics and medical marijuana. Jon also conducts management, sexual harassment, and other training for employers.

Jon also assists education clients with a variety of matters unique to their industry, including academic and student discipline issues. He routinely counsels educational clients on a wide variety of student, employment, and academic matters, from Title IX to bullying to vaping on campus. For example, in recent years, Jon has obtained judgments following trial for a university on claims brought by former students alleging hazing and alleged failure to pay an athletic scholarship.

Jon has a significant litigation practice outside of the employment and education arena as well. He has represented clients in a number of industries in cases involving contractual, negligence, and other disputes in state and federal court, including class actions.

Jon belongs to the Employers Counsel Network and is an editor and frequent contributor to the Connecticut Employment Law Letter and 50 Employment Laws in 50 States. He serves as a co-author of the ERISA Litigation Handbook.

• CHRO ex rel. Mills-Sanders v. Greenwich Premier Servs. Co., No. NWH CV23-6008390-S, 2023 WL 5543621 (Conn. Super. Ct. Aug. 22, 2023) (granting motion to strike housing discrimination complaint brought by CHRO).
• Martinez v. City of Stamford, No. 22-702, 2023 WL 3162131 (2d Cir. May 1, 2023) (affirming summary judgment in favor of employer as to all counts in discrimination lawsuit).
• Kenneson v. Parker, No. 3:20-cv-00988, 2022 WL 4448875 (D. Conn. Sept. 23, 2022) (granting motion for summary judgment as to all claims against university police officers).
• Doe v. Wesleyan Univ., No. 3:19-cv-01519, 2022 WL 2656787 (D. Conn. July 8, 2022) (granting motion for summary judgment as to all claims, and imposing sanctions on plaintiff).
• Martinez v. City of Stamford, No. 3:20-cv-00174, 2022 WL 824638 (D. Conn. Mar. 17, 2022) (summary judgment granted as to all claims).
• McEvoy v. Fairfield Univ., No. CV215045467S, 2022 WL 294328 (Conn. Super. Ct. Jan. 10, 2022) (dismissing all claims against defendants).
• Dingle v. City of Stamford, No. 3:20-cv-01732, 2021 WL 4477329 (D. Conn. Sept. 30, 2021) (granting motion to dismiss).
• Cammarota v. Sacred Heart Univ., Inc., No. FBTCV196082929, 2020 WL 6712464 (Conn. Super. Ct. Oct. 20, 2020), affirmed by 209 Conn.App. 902 (2021) (summary judgment granted as to all claims, affirmed on appeal).
• Heslin v. S. Windsor Bd. of Educ., No. HHDCV196112394S, 2021 WL 5707546 (Conn. Super. Ct. Nov. 9, 2021) (granting summary judgment as to all claims against clients).
• Gagliardi v. Sacred Heart Univ., Inc., No. 3:17-cv-00857, 2019 WL 3202742 (D. Conn. July 16, 2019) (granting summary judgment as to all claims by former tennis coach under Title IX, Title VII, and EPA).
• Doe v. Simsbury Bd. of Educ., No. HHDCV185051404S, 2019 WL 2142052 (Conn. Super. Ct. Apr. 12, 2019) (granting motion to strike public nuisance claim).
• Gupte v. Watertown Bd. of Educ., No. 3:17-cv-00283, 2018 WL 4054880 (D. Conn. Aug. 24, 2018) (dismissing case in its entirety).
• Reho v. Sacred Heart Univ., Inc., No. 3:16-cv-01692, 2017 WL 1014998 (D. Conn. Mar. 15, 2017) (granting partial dismissal).
• Jauhari v. Sacred Heart Univ., Inc., No. 3:16-cv-00680, 2017 WL 819902 (D. Conn. Mar. 2, 2017) (limiting scope of comparator discovery in denial of tenure lawsuit).
• Doe v. Trinity Coll., No. FSTCV175016597S, 2017 WL 7053895 (Conn. Super. Ct. Dec. 26, 2017) (sustaining objection to plaintiff’s motion to sue anonymously).
• DeLucia v. Sacred Heart Univ., Inc., No. FBTCV156049853, 2017 WL 4273404 (Conn. Super. Ct. Aug. 11, 2017) (judgment for defendants on all counts following bench trial).
• Reid v. Town of W. Hartford, No. CV156031283S, 2017 WL 5707522 (Conn. Super. Ct. Oct. 26, 2017) (dismissing CHRO’s appeal of dismissal of public accommodation discrimination case).
• Roberts v. Town of Orange, Dep't of Police Servs., No. AANCV166019852S, 2017 WL 4106132 (Conn. Super. Ct. Aug. 8, 2017) (granting summary judgment to defendant on all claims in employment discrimination case).
• DeFusco v. Town of West Hartford, No. 3:15-cv-00485, 2016 WL 1225496 (D. Conn. Mar. 28, 2016) (granting motion to dismiss claims in discrimination/retaliation case).
• Skinner v. Martin, No. CV146011250, 2015 WL 2261571 (Conn. Super. Ct. Apr. 22, 2015) (dismissing all claims in employment case).
• Fasoli v. City of Stamford, 64 F. Supp. 3d 285 (D. Conn. 2014) (granting summary judgment to defendant on all claims in employment discrimination/retaliation case).
• McMahon v. Chubb Grp. of Ins. Cos., 553 F. App'x 85 (2d Cir. 2014) (affirming dismissal of unpaid wage claims).
• Vega v. Sacred Heart Univ., No. 3:10-cv-01870, 2013 WL 2420329 (D. Conn. June 3, 2013) (judgment for defendant on all counts following bench trial).
• Conn. Comm'r of Labor v. Chubb Grp. of Ins. Cos., No. 3:11-cv-00997, 2013 WL 836633 (D. Conn. Mar. 6, 2013).
• Walsh v. Lebanon Bd. of Educ., No. 3:11-cv-00194, 2013 WL 425092 (D. Conn. Feb. 4, 2013).
• Leichter v. Lebanon Bd. of Educ., 917 F. Supp. 2d 177 (D. Conn. 2013).
• Conn. Comm'r of Labor v. Chubb Grp. of Ins. Cos., No. 3:11-cv-00997, 2012 WL 3443003 (D. Conn. Aug. 15, 2012).
• Conn. v. Chubb Grp. of Ins. Cos., No. 3:11-cv-0099, 2012 WL 1110488 (D. Conn. Mar. 31, 2012).
• Konspore v. Friends of Animals, Inc., No. 3:10-cv-00613, 2012 WL 965527 (D. Conn. Mar. 20, 2012).
• Fitzgerald v. Chubb & Son Inc., No. 3:10-cv-00848, 2011 WL 2470701 (D. Conn. June 20, 2011).
• Vega v. Sacred Heart Univ., Inc., 836 F. Supp. 2d 58 (D. Conn. 2011).
• Worthington v. Carris Reels of Conn., Inc., No. 3:10-cv-00448, 2011 WL 3939005 (D. Conn. May 5, 2011).
• Brooks v. Sweeney, 9 A.3d 347 (Conn. 2010) (affirming summary judgment as to all claims against clients).
• Konspore v. Friends of Animals, Inc., No. 3:10-cv-00613, 2010 WL 3023820 (D. Conn. Aug. 2, 2010).
• Tehan v. Sacred Heart Univ., 388 F. App'x 42 (2d Cir. 2010).
• Richardson v. Comm'n on Human Rights & Opportunities, 532 F.3d 114 (2d Cir. 2008).
• Sebold v. City of Middletown, No. 3:05-cv-01205, 2007 WL 2782527 (D. Conn. Sept. 21, 2007).
• Brooks v. Sweeney, No. CV065005224, 2007 WL 1976089 (Conn. Super. Ct. June 12, 2007).
• Goldfarb v. Town of West Hartford, 474 F. Supp. 2d 356 (D. Conn. 2007).
• Santoro v. Town of Hamden, No. CV040488583, 2006 WL 2536595 (Conn. Super. Ct. Aug. 18, 2006).
• Rivera v. Men's Wearhouse, Inc., No. 3:05-cv-01907, 2006 WL 1801705 (D. Conn. June 27, 2006).
• Deguzman v. Kramer, No. 3:04-cv-02064, 2005 WL 2030447 (D. Conn. Aug. 23, 2005).
• Strohmeyer v. Metro. Life Ins. Co., No. 3:04-cv-01808, 2005 WL 3963770 (D. Conn. Nov. 15, 2005).
• Strohmeyer v. Metro. Life Ins. Co., 365 F. Supp. 2d 258 (D. Conn. 2005).
• Russ v. Town of Watertown, No. 3:04-cv-00014, 2005 WL 734344 (D. Conn. Mar. 29, 2005).
• McEwan v. Town of New Canaan, No. 3:03-cv-01966, 2004 WL 1897116 (D. Conn. Aug. 20, 2004).
• Jenkins v. Area Co-Op Educ. Servs., No. 3:99-cv-02371, 2004 WL 413267 (D. Conn. Feb. 25, 2004).

• The Best Lawyers in America, Employment Law - Management, ERISA Litigation, Labor and Employment Litigation (2023-2024)

• "Keeping Trustees Informed of Changing Risk, Insurance, and Legal Issues," 2024 National Business Officers Association (NBOA) Annual Meeting and Business Solutions Showcase, Atlanta, GA (February 26, 2024)
• "Title IX Sexual Harassment - Important Policy Information and Bystander Intervention," Fairfield, CT (February 8, 2023)
• "Employment Law 102: Hiring a Creative Workforce," Arts and Business Council of Greater Boston (February 8, 2023)
• "Employment Law 101: Creative Workers’ Rights," Arts and Business Council of Greater Boston (January 25, 2023)
• "Gig Workers, Independent Contractors, and Employees? Oh My! Understanding the FLSA and Employee Classification," HR Comply Virtual Conference: Overcoming Compliance Challenges in the New Normal (April 29, 2021)
• "Intellectual Property and Employment Law Considerations for Online Learning," Carlton Fields (August 11, 2020)
• "HR Update," Carlton Fields In-House Counsel Forum, Orlando, FL (March 2019)
• "Employment Law Update: Trends From Hollywood to Hartford," Hartford, CT (May 2018)
• "Sexual Harassment Prevention Training," various employers (annually)
• "Employee Performance Management" Fairfield, CT (June 2018)
• "Federal Employment Law Roundup 2017: Which Laws Apply to Your Organization, When, and How to Stay Compliant This Year," BLR (January 12, 2017)
• "Family and Medical Leave Act Master Class," Hartford, CT (April 20, 2016)
• "Exempt vs. Non-Exempt and Independent Contractors: How to Correctly Classify Employees and Avoid Costly Mistakes," BLR (March 5, 2015)
• "How to Avoid Emerging Wage & Hour Risks: Exempt or Non-Exempt, Contractor Liability & Minimum Wage Hikes," BLR (June 10, 2014)
• "Perfecting Your PTO Policy: Know Your Obligations When Administering Leave," BLR (December 16, 2013)
• "Wage and Hour Bootcamp," BLR (October 10, 2012)
• "LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter Redux," Hartford County Bar Association (May 12, 2010)