James M. Sconzo

About Jim's Practice

James M. Sconzo chairs the Labor & Employment Practice Team. He is principally involved in representing employers in a broad array of employment and labor matters. He also has significant experience in ERISA litigation, commercial litigation, directors and officers' liability and the representation of professionals, such as attorneys, insurance specialists, accountants and others.
Mr. Sconzo has represented employers in a broad range of industries, including entertainment, financial services, transportation, education, healthcare, technology, manufacturing and not for profits. He has defended employers in state and federal courts, before administrative agencies and in arbitration. He has successfully defended employers from claims of age, race, sex and disability discrimination, as well as sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract and common law tort claims. He has represented employers in single plaintiff, multiple plaintiff and class action contexts. He has defended municipalities, school boards, the State of Connecticut and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from civil rights claims. Mr. Sconzo has defended a number of colleges and universities from claims of wrongful denial of tenure, breach of contract and in faculty discipline matters. Mr. Sconzo conducts workplace investigations and training in the areas of sexual harassment prevention, diversity and privacy. He counsels employers on employment and non-disclosure/non-compete agreements and the many laws regulating the workforce, such as the FLSA, FMLA, ADA, WARN Act, and Title VII.

In addition to his substantial experience in labor and employment matters, Mr. Sconzo has had extensive experience in ERISA litigation and commercial litigation, including D&O, E&O and professional liability matters. Mr. Sconzo has acted as a mediator and arbitrator, and regularly counsels clients on alternative dispute resolution. Prior to joining Jorden Burt, Mr. Sconzo was a partner at a large Connecticut law firm where he organized and chaired that firm's labor and employment practice group.

Education

• Syracuse University, J.D., 1989
• University of Connecticut, B.A., 1986
  - Phi Alpha Theta

Major Publications & Speaking Engagements

• Editor, Connecticut Employment Law Letter
• Contributing Author, New England Employment Law Letter
• Contributing Author, "50 Employment Laws in 50 States,"BLR (2005-2012)
• Quoted, "Miscimarra announcement called 'great loss' but 'no reason to panic'," Human Resources News, August 11, 2017
• Panel Moderator, "Strategic Planning When Representing a Client in an Employment Dispute: The Perspectives of Management and Employees," Connecticut Bar Association Annual Meeting (June 9, 2008)
• Speaker, "Top Ten Employment Issues In 2008," Human Resource Association of Central Connecticut (Jan. 23, 2008)
• Author, "E.E.O.C. v. BCI Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of L.A.: Subordinate Bias Liability - 'The Cat's Paw,'" In-House Defense Quarterly (Fall 2007)
• Speaker, "Bottom Line: The One Thing You Must Know About 10 Employment Law Issues," 2007 Advanced Employment Issues Symposium, Las Vegas, NV (Nov. 8-9, 2007)
• Panelist, "Let's Talk Labor Law," GC New England Roundtable (Spring 2007)
• Speaker, "Subordinate Bias Liability Under Title VII," The Connecticut Bar Association 2007 Annual Meeting (June 18, 2007)
• Speaker, "Family and Medical Leave Act Master Class," Cromwell, CT (May 8, 2007)
• Author, "NASD Eyes Roving Reps," Expect Focus (Spring 2007)
• Author, "Financial Services Sector Targeted In Litigation," Connecticut Law Tribune (Jan. 22, 2007)
• Author, "Financial Services Industry Prime Target For Wage And Hour Claims," Metropolitan Corporate Counsel (Nov. 2006)
• Author, "Judges Perform Gastric Bypass on Obesity Claims," Connecticut Employment Law Letter (Nov. 2006)
• Speaker, "The Seven Habits of Highly Ineffective Crisis Management Organizations," Advanced Employment Issues Symposium (Oct. 2006)

Professional Recognition

• Appointed Member, Executive Committee of the Connecticut Bar Association's Labor and Employment Section
• Appointed Member, Executive Committee of the Connecticut Bar Association's Federal Practice Section
• Selected as a Connecticut top 50 Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers magazine
• Appointed a Special Master, U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut
• Editor, Connecticut Employment Law Letter
• "AV" rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Admitted to Practice

Connecticut; U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit; U.S. District Courts: Southern, Eastern, Northern, and Western Districts of New York and District of Connecticut