Valerie K. Ferrier is counsel to the Firm and co-chairs the Labor and Employment Practice Group. Ms. Ferrier, who was named as one of Lawline’s Top Women Faculty for 2021, is an accomplished employment attorney and litigator, offers advice and counseling to clients to mitigate and manage risk. She counsels clients on compliance issues and separation matters, prepares employee handbooks, and provides policy updates and management and employee training. She has significant experience defending and counseling with respect to discrimination claims in court and before administrative agencies, including those brought under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the First and Fourteenth Amendments, and the New York State and City Human Rights Laws. Her practice includes the defense of wage and hour and misclassification claims, both single plaintiff and class and collective actions, under the Fair Labor Standards Act and the New York Labor Law. Ms. Ferrier has successfully first-chaired state and federal jury and bench trials, and has state and federal appellate practice experience. She represents a range of clients from small family-owned businesses to national chains and international companies in a variety of different industries.
Frank Mavromichalis, a longtime client of Ms. Ferrier’s, said in a statement: “I have operated a business in the city of New York for over 20 years, and like so many other business owners throughout the city, I have had the unfortunate and sometimes inevitable experience of dealing with a lawsuit. Over the past several years, I have had the honor of working closely with my attorney, Valerie K. Ferrier. One of her most notable attributes was her incomparable attention to detail. She carefully listened to her client and gathered all the facts pertaining to the case. With her vast knowledge of the law, Ms. Ferrier skillfully formulated a strategy, all while contemplating multiple options that may arise as the legal process continued. She was always accessible to take my calls and throughout every step in the process she kept me updated as to any progression of events. Her genuine compassion to her clients’ circumstances was unparalleled and this continually helped put my mind at ease. Valerie K. Ferrier has earned my trust as a client and is the right choice to make when hiring an attorney to help you successfully manage through a legal crisis.”
Ms. Ferrier’s peers in the legal community echo this assessment. “Ms. Ferrier anticipates issues and clearly articulates risk and options for solutions before the issue becomes a problem. Her broad and varied experience in both human resources transactions and litigation have honed her soft skills and developed excellent judgement. She expertly ‘reads the room’ and adapts her style to meet their needs and achieve her goals.” The legal profession’s most prestigious legal directory, Martindale-Hubbell, has awarded Ms. Ferrier its “AV” rating, the highest rating available to any individual attorney.
Ms. Ferrier earned her J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law and her B.A., cum laude, from Simon’s Rock College of Bard.
Ms. Ferrier is admitted to practice in New York and Virginia, and in the Southern, Northern, Western, and Eastern District Courts of New York and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.
MEMBERSHIPS
American Bar Association 2008 to present; NYC Bar Association 2008 to present; Federal Bar Council, American Inn of Court 2016-2018; NYC Bar Association, LGBT Rights Committee, Employment Law Subcommittee Chair 2013-2015
RECENT PRESENTATIONS
January, 2021
Wage & Hour Claims: A Primer for Associates, CLE Presentation, Lawline
December, 2020
Recognizing and Avoiding Misclassification Claims
October, 2020
Wage & Hour Claims – Spot the Issues, Avoid the Claims
June, 2020
“It’s Against My Religion”: Religious Accommodations in the Workplace, CLE Presentation, Lawline
Sexual Harassment and Discrimination in NY – What is it Not?, CLE Presentation, Lawline
May, 2020
Cleaners and Care Givers – What You Need to Know About Misclassification Claims
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
August, 2020
Bias Ruling Spotlights Confusion Over Protected Categories, Law360
July, 2020
Workplace Bias Pleading May Change After Title IX Shift, Law360
February, 2020
3 Rulings Show When Litigating Wage Claims is Worth It, Law360
Summer 2019
Key Updates in International Employment Law for 2019, Today’s General Counsel
The Writing is on the Wall: A $15 Minimum Wage Edges Toward the New Normal, Briefs – Cuban American Bar Association
September, 2018: “This Call is Being Recorded”: Secret Workplace Recordings, The Word – Ius Laboris
REPRESENTATIVE CASES
Mediated a separation agreement with a former executive on behalf of a European manufacturer.
Successfully defended a restaurant at federal trial, obtaining dismissal of all claims of unpaid overtime and retaliation, resulting in a verdict of only $3,400 based on statutory violations.
Obtained dismissal of nine out of ten claims of disability and gender/pregnancy discrimination at trial. The court subsequently vacated the jury’s verdict with respect to the remaining claim, resulting in a complete defense verdict.
Obtained summary judgment in federal court dismissing all claims of alleged race and national origin discrimination against a hospital.
Obtained dismissal of all claims of unpaid overtime and gender discrimination against a hospital in state court.
Obtained dismissal of all age discrimination claims and settled the sole remaining claim for breach of contract for nuisance value.
Obtained summary judgment in federal court dismissing all claims for unpaid overtime against a chain of car dealerships.
Obtained summary judgment in federal court, resulting in complete dismissal of all claims of alleged religious discrimination against a governmental agency, including First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendment claims.
Obtained summary judgment in federal court, resulting in complete dismissal of all claims of disability discrimination under Title VII against a governmental agency.