NEW YORK (September 19, 2022) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has added Michael Paglialonga and Johane Severin as of counsel in its New York City office. Paglialonga joins from the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL), where he most recently served as first deputy counsel and as the acting general counsel, and Severin joins from the Office of the New York State Attorney General (NYS OAG), where she served as assistant attorney general. In addition to Paglialonga and Severin, the New York City office also recently added shareholder Will Anthony in July.

“I am excited to welcome Michael and Johane to our talented bench of attorneys practicing across the state of New York,” said Jeanine Conley Daves, Littler’s New York City office managing shareholder. “They both bring a wealth of knowledge in a wide range of labor and employment matters, along with extensive prior government experience that will further enhance our ability to counsel clients on an array of complex issues impacting their workplaces.”

Paglialonga advises employers across a range of areas, including claims related to the Fair Labor Standards Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, New York State Human Rights Law and Title VII. He also provides counsel on COVID-19-related restrictions and reopening requirements, as well as New York labor law matters. During his 15 years at the NYSDOL, Paglialonga represented the commissioner of labor in hundreds of administrative hearings and focused primarily on wage and hour and safety and health cases. He also advised on amendments to the New York Labor Law, oversaw regulatory activities and drafted regulations and regulatory packages that were adopted as law in Title 12 of the New York Code of Rules and Regulations.

During her time at the NYS OAG, Severin supported the Education Section of the Litigation Bureau. She defended the State University of New York, City University of New York, and the State Education Department in labor and employment-related litigation arising from alleged violations of federal, state and local anti-discrimination laws. Prior to that, Severin served as deputy counsel for the Office of the New York City Public Advocate and as an attorney for the New York City Commission on Human Rights. Earlier in her career, she spent seven years as an attorney for Legal Services NYC, a nonprofit organization that provides free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals in New York City.

Paglialonga received his J.D., cum laude, from Albany Law School, his M.B.A. from the College of Saint Rose and his B.A. from California State Polytechnic University. Severin received her J.D. from Brooklyn Law School, her M.S.Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania and her B.A. from Wesleyan University.

About Littler

With more than 1,700 labor and employment attorneys in offices around the world, Littler provides workplace solutions that are local, everywhere. Our diverse global team and proprietary technology foster a culture that celebrates original thinking, delivering groundbreaking innovation that prepares employers for what’s happening today, and what’s likely to happen tomorrow.