Phillips & Associates | Sexual Harassment, Discrimination & Employment Lawyers
Employment Law | Serving New York, NY
914-265-2306Phillips & Associates | Sexual Harassment, Discrimination & Employment Lawyers helps New York clients with their Employment needs.
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Phillips & Associates is an employment-only litigation firm. It represents employees and has never represented employers. Since its founding in November 2011, the firm has focused on a single area of law, the disputes that arise between employees and the people and institutions who control their pay, their advancement, and their continued employment.
That work includes sexual harassment, workplace relationship harassment, discrimination, retaliation, hostile work environment, whistleblower retaliation, wrongful termination, pregnancy discrimination, medical and parental leave, accommodations, and wage-and-hour claims. A significant part of the practice involves workplace power dynamics, meaning misconduct by supervisors, executives, business owners, physicians, law firm partners, and managers. These matters often involve unwanted advances, pressure to meet alone, retaliation after an employee rejects a supervisor or ends a relationship, and situations in which an employer treats potential sexual harassment as a private matter rather than misconduct.
Phillips & Associates is built as a team rather than around a single name. Every attorney is a full-time, in-house member of the firm, and each client is assigned a litigation team led by a partner or senior litigator and supported by an associate and a paralegal. The firm's attorneys bring more than 200 years of combined employment law experience, and all attorneys and staff receive trauma-informed training.
The firm has recovered more than $360 million for employees, including more than $60 million in 2025, across more than 9,500 matters and approximately 2,000 litigated cases. Its attorneys have appeared before more than 110 U.S. District Judges and more than 70 U.S. Magistrate Judges, including nearly every currently sitting District Judge in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, and have obtained published decisions cited by other courts, including the Second Circuit's decision in Vasquez v. Empress Ambulance Service. The firm is ranked by Chambers and Partners and recognized by Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and the 2026 Best Law Firms list.
Attorney William K. Phillips
Bar Admissions:
- New York, 1996
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court Western District of New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit
Education:
- St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami Gardens, Florida, 1993
- College of Staten Island
- B.A.
- Honors: magna cum laude
- Major: Sociology
- Major: Anthropology
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- American Bar Association (Member)
- National Employment Lawyers Association ("NELA") (Member)
- American Society of Legal Advocates (Member)
- New York State Trial Lawyers Association
- New York County Lawyers Association
- Brooklyn Bar Association
- New York Chapter of NELA
Attorney Alfredo Pelicci
Bar Admissions:
- New York
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
- Maryland
- Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit
- U.S. District Court Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida
Education:
- The George Washington University Law School, Washington, District of Columbia, 2015
- Juris Doctor
- University of Florida, 2010
- B.S.
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- National Employment Lawyers Association of New York (NELA-NY), Mentorship Committee Chair, 2020 - 2022
Attorney Bryan Arce
Bar Admissions:
- Southern District of New York
- Eastern District of New York
- District of New Jersey
- Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- Western District of Pennsylvania
- Second Circuit
Education:
- Brooklyn Law School, 2009
- J.D
Languages Spoken:
- Spanish
- German
Attorney Max C. Bracero
Bar Admissions:
- New York
Education:
- Temple University School of Law, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Attorney Michelle Caiola
Bar Admissions:
- New York
- Missouri
Education:
- University of Iowa College of Law
- J.D.
- Kent State University in Ohio
- B.A.
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- National Employment Lawyers Association
- New York State Bar Association
- City Bar of New York
- New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers
Attorney Gregory Calliste, Jr.
Bar Admissions:
- New York
- New Jersey
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court Southern District of New York
- Federal District Court of New Jersey
- U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit
Education:
- New York Law School, New York, New York, 2003
- J.D.
- State University of New York at Old Westbury, 1998
- Major: Business Systems & Management
Attorney Dorina Cela
Bar Admissions:
- New York
- Florida
- U.S. District Court Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court Western District of New York
- U.S. District Court Northern District of New York
Education:
- Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego, California
- Honors: International Human Rights Law
- Honors: Pro Bono Legal Service
- Honors: Certified law student at the San Diego Alternate Public Defender
- Honors: Alternate Dispute Resolution Team, Active Member
- Hunter College, New York
- B.A.
- Major: Political Science and Psychology
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- National Employment Lawyers’ Association, New York (Member)
- New York City Bar Association (Member)
- New York Women’s Bar Association (Member)
- New York County Lawyers’ Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee
- New York County Lawyers’ Association, Labor Relations & Employment Law Committee
- New York County Lawyers’ Association, Law and Literature Committee
- New York County Lawyers’ Association (Member)
- American-Albanian Bar Association
Attorney Melissa Berouty
Bar Admissions:
- New York
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- District of Columbia
Education:
- Syracuse University College of Law, Syracuse, New York
- Honors: Harvard Law’s Labor and Work Life Program
- Law Journal: News for the Journal of Global Rights and Organizations, Managing Editor
Attorney Joshua Friedman
Bar Admissions:
- New York, 2013
- Massachusetts, 2012
Education:
- Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, Huntington, New York, 2012
- Juris Doctor
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Member of the National Employment Lawyers' Association/NY
- Member of New York City Bar Association
- Member of New York Bar
- Member of Massachusetts Bar
Attorney Sara Callow
Bar Admissions:
- New Jersey
- New York
Education:
- Rutgers University School of Law, Newark, New Jersey, 2022
- Juris Doctorate
- Honors: EEOC by clerking for the Honorable Iris Santiago-Flores in 2021
- Honors: Rutgers' Employment and Labor Law Association, President
- Stockton University
- Honors: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- Honors: Washington D.C. Internship Program
- Major: Political Science - Pre-law
- Minor: Writing
Attorney Greg Kirschenbaum
Bar Admissions:
- New York
- U.S. District Court Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York
- New Jersey
- Florida
- U.S. District Court Northern District of New York
- U.S. District Court District of New Jersey
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit
Education:
- Brooklyn Law School, Brooklyn, New York
- J.D.
- Honors: Cali Award
- Honors: Peggy Browning Fund Fellowship
- Honors: With Honors
- University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware
- B.A.
- Major: Political Science
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- National Employment Lawyers Association, New York chapter, 2018 - 2024
Attorney Todd W. Carpenter
Bar Admissions:
- New York, 2007
- U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, 2007
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, 2007
- U.S. District Court Northern District of New York
Education:
- Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego, California, 2004
- J.D.
- Honors: Pro Bono Honors
- Honors: Phi Alpha Delta
- Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, 2000
- B.S.
- Major: Civil Engineering
Attorney Bayron Flores-Tapia
Bar Admissions:
- New York
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court Southern District of New York
Education:
- Fordham University School of Law, New York, New York, 2021
- J.D.
- City College of New York
- B.A.
- Major: Political Science
Languages Spoken:
- Spanish
Attorney Christine Hintze
Bar Admissions:
- New York
Education:
- Brooklyn Law School, Brooklyn, New York
- J.D.
- Honors: Dennis J. Block Center for International Business Law Fellowship
Attorney Jack Kealey
Bar Admissions:
- New York
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court Southern District of New York
Education:
- Brooklyn Law School, Brooklyn, New York
- J.D.
- Honors: cum laude
- Law Journal: Preserving Fabled Amateurism: The Benefits of the NCAA's Adoption of the Olympic Amateurism Model
Attorney Brittany Stevens
Bar Admissions:
- New York, 2015
Education:
- University of San Francisco School of Law, San Francisco, California
- Honors: Vice-President of the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association
- Honors: President of the Jewish Law Students Association
- Honors: Co-Chair of the Educational Programs Committee for the Student Bar
- Honors: Student representative for the USF employment clinic
- Law Journal: Intellectual Property Law Journal, Executive Articles Editor
- Skidmore College
- B.S., Bachelor of Science
- Honors: cum laude
- Major: Management and Business
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- NELA New York (Member)
- New York State Bar Association (Member)
Attorney Kelsey Tubman
Bar Admissions:
- New York, 2017
- New Jersey, 2023
Education:
- American University, Washington College of Law, Washington, District of Columbia
- Juris Doctor
- Honors: Student attorney at the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office on the District Court Team
- Law Review: Criminal Law Practitioner Brief, Staff member and Senior Editor
- California State University, Chico in Chico, California
- Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science
- Major: Legal Studies
Attorney Jesse Weinstein
Bar Admissions:
- New York
Education:
- American University, Washington College of Law, Washington, District of Columbia
- Pace University
Attorney Morgan Mickelsen
Bar Admissions:
- State of New York
- United States District Courts
Education:
- Brooklyn Law School
- J.D.
- University of Miami
- B.A.
Attorney Ian N. Piasecki
Bar Admissions:
- New York
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
Education:
- Rutgers University Law School, 2016
- J.D.
- Saint Joseph’s University
- B.A.
Attorney Zachary G. Randall
Bar Admissions:
- New York
Education:
- Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University
- J.D.
Attorney Jessica C. Rosales
Bar Admissions:
- New York
Education:
- American University Washington College of Law
- J.D.
- Brandeis University
- B.A.
Attorney Samantha Solomotis
Bar Admissions:
- New York
Education:
- Brooklyn Law School
- J.D.
- J.D.
Attorney Katherine L. Strych
Bar Admissions:
- New Jersey
Education:
- Seton Hall University School of Law
- J.D.
- Seton Hall University
- B.A.
- magna cum laude
Attorney Jason Stump
Bar Admissions:
- New Jersey, 2022
- Pennsylvania, 2024
Education:
- Rutgers School of Law - Camden, Camden, New Jersey, 2021
- Honors: Eagleton Institute of Politics Fellow and a Legal Writing Fellow
- Honors: Philadelphia Bar Association Eve Biskind Klothen Law Student Pro Bono Distinction Award
- Honors: Dean’s Pro Bono Publico Award for Exceptional Service, with Distinction
- Honors: Mary Philbrook Student Public Interest Award
- Honors: Dean's Award for Service to Rutgers Law School
- Honors: President of the Association of Public Interest Law
- Honors: Student Leader for the Voter Rights Pro Bono Project
- Honors: Volunteer Educator for the Street Law Project
- West Chester University
- Bachelor of Arts
- Major: Musical Theater
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- New Jersey Bar Association (Member)
Languages Spoken:
- Spanish
Attorney Melissa Vo
Bar Admissions:
- New York
- U.S. District Court Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York
Education:
- Temple University Beasley School of Law, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- J.D.
- Honors: Integrated Trial Advocacy Program
- Honors: Vice President of the Media and Communications Law Society
- Honors: Director of Community Relations in the Asian Pacific American Law Student Association
- University of Pennsylvania
- Bachelor of Arts
- Major: Psychology
Attorney Nicholas D. Wogan
Bar Admissions:
- New York, 2024
Education:
- St. John's University School of Law
- Juris Doctor
- Honors: Vice President of Internal Affairs for the Labor Relations and Employment Law Society
- Law Review: American Bankruptcy Institute Law Review, Senior Staff Member
- California State University, Fresno
- Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts
- Honors: magna cum laude
- California State University, Fresno
- Master of Arts in English Literature
Attorney Alexander Zugaro
Bar Admissions:
- New York
- New Jersey
- U.S. District Court Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York
Education:
- Pace University School of Law, White Plains, New York
- Juris Doctor
- Honors: cum laude
- Honors: Dean's List
- Law Review: Pace Law Review, Senior Editor
Office Locations
Since 1997, the "Lead Counsel Verified" status has been granted to attorneys who possess:
- The Right Professional Experience
- A Spotless Record
The following attorneys at this firm are Lead Counsel Verified:
Bryan Arce
This attorney practices in New York and is Lead Counsel Verified in the following practice areas:
| Practice Area | Year |
|---|---|
| Employment Law | Since 2018 |
Gregory W. Kirschenbaum
This attorney practices in New York and is Lead Counsel Verified in the following practice areas:
| Practice Area | Year |
|---|---|
| Employment Law | Since 2018 |
William K. Phillips
This attorney practices in New York and is Lead Counsel Verified in the following practice areas:
| Practice Area | Year |
|---|---|
| Employment Law | Since 2018 |
Michelle Caiola
This attorney practices in New York and is Lead Counsel Verified in the following practice areas:
| Practice Area | Year |
|---|---|
| Employment Law | Since 2024 |
Phillips & Associates | Sexual Harassment, Discrimination & Employment Lawyers Awards
Avvo Client's Choice Award: This award is granted to attorneys with at least 5 reviews with 4+ stars in a given year on Avvo.com
Avvo Top Contributor: This award is granted to attorneys who have significantly contributed to Avvo.com by answering questions in the Q&A forum, publishing legal guides, or other meaningful contributions to the Avvo community.
Super Lawyers Selectee: Super Lawyers® is a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The top 5% of lawyers in each state are selected using a patented selection process that includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations.