Evan D. Parness

Representative Trial and Appellate Matters

• Representation of a large benefits, insurance and wealth management firm and its affiliates in employment-related matters, including successfully obtaining summary judgment dismissal of an age discrimination lawsuit in federal court
• Secured a unanimous jury verdict on behalf of one of the largest private universities in the US in connection with a series of lawsuits in New York brought by a former adjunct professor alleging retaliation
• Secured an 11th Circuit Court of Appeals victory for a leading healthcare corporation in a restrictive covenants matter, vacating a preliminary injunction that had barred an executive from accepting employment
• Secured a complete trial victory in the Southern District of New York in defense of a large private university in a class action in which the plaintiffs had sought more than US$350 million in damages for alleged ERISA violations
• Representation of a leading medical laboratory company in a disability discrimination jury trial; following verdict of no compensatory damages, case was resolved on favorable terms
• Representation of a financial services company, including successfully obtaining dismissal of a disability discrimination case before the New York State Division of Human Rights
• Representation of a production studio, including successfully obtaining dismissal of a race discrimination and retaliation case before the New York City Commission on Human Rights
• Representation of real estate finance company in successful prosecution of claim for injunctive relief against former executive enforcing non-competition and non-solicitation agreement
• Representation of a leading fashion modeling agency, in successfully prosecuting and defending claims concerning alleged breach of employment and non-solicitation agreements, claims for unfair competition, tortious interference, breach of contract and promissory estoppel, including proceedings seeking and obtaining injunctive relief, including recently obtaining dismissal of a lawsuit brought in the Southern District of New York
• Representation of a leading manufacturer of premium chocolates in employment-related matters, including advice concerning internal investigations of alleged employee misconduct, employee disciplinary actions, and negotiation of key agreements
• Successfully prosecuting claims for injunctive relief on behalf of one of the nation's leading providers of language translation, document management and litigation support services in multiple actions relating to the enforcement of non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality agreements

Representative Counseling and Investigation Matters

• Conduct sensitive investigations into alleged harassment and discrimination, and, where warranted, advise clients on appropriate corrective actions and workplace policies to ensure a productive workplace that complies with applicable laws and regulations
• Negotiate and draft employment agreements, restrictive covenant agreements, and severance/settlement agreements on behalf of leading companies in the financial services, technology, life sciences, and media, sports and entertainment sectors

Representative Business Transaction Matters

• Representation of Haymaker Acquisition Corp., a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, in the employment-related aspects of its US$948 million business combination with OneSpaWorld, a global provider of health and wellness products and services on board cruise ships and in destination resorts around the world
• Representation of a global financial services company in its multi-million acquisition of another financial services company, handling all employment aspects of the transaction

• Chambers USA
  • Band 5, New York Labor & Employment (2023)
  • Up and Coming, New York Labor & Employment (2021-2022)
• The Legal 500 United States
  • Next Generation Partner, Workplace and Employment Counseling (2021-2023)
  • Recommended, Labor-Management Relations (2022)
  • Recommended, Labor and Employment Disputes (including Collective Actions): Defense (2019, 2021)
    Legal 500 clients comment that "Evan Parness is an amazing attorney. Always attentive and will take instructions outside of business hours, he is always there when we need him and looks for the best outcome for clients."
• U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware Judge Caleb R. Layton, III Service Award
  • For successful pro bono representation of Court in trial and appellate proceedings related to Court’s COVID-19 vaccine policy
   
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Evan is a member of the firm's Pro Bono Committee in New York. 

The Lawyers Alliance of New York recognized Evan for his successful representation of BK ROT, a non-profit environmental organization that promotes community-based, green jobs for youth.

Evan provides pro bono employment law representation to Lincoln Center as part of Lincoln Center Counsels’ Council Summer Associate program.

Evan also provides pro bono employment law counsel to various theater companies in the New York City area, including  Theater Breaking Through Barriers, an Off-Broadway theatre organization dedicated to advancing artists with disabilities, and Sundog Theatre, a not-for-profit theater company that provides educational theatre programming to schools in the New York City area.

• "Post-Employment Non-Competes May Soon Be Prohibited in New York," New York Law Journal, July 3, 2023
• "When creating return-to-work policies, consider groups hardest-hit by pandemic," ABA Journal, August 9, 2021
• "Don't Throw Caution to the Winds: Discrimination and Harassment in the Age of Teleworking," New York Law Journal, February 19, 2021 
• "Taking the high road: New York employers should prepare for legalized marijuana," New York Law Journal, February 19, 2019
• "Restrictive Covenant and Trade Secret Misappropriation Claims: Key Initial Considerations and Tips for Seeking TROs, Preliminary Injunctions and Other Relief," Lexis Practice Advisor, June 5, 2018
• "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do: But a Good Separation Agreement Can Ease the Pain," The Labor Dish, February 7, 2017
• ''Retaliation Claims Under The False Claims Act: A Pop Quiz,'' The Labor Dish, January 4, 2016 
• "Be Like Mike? Enforcing Restrictive Covenants Against Unique Employees," The Labor Dish, May 18, 2015