Overview

Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti, P.C. has long been recognized as a preeminent law firm in Connecticut for the representation of individuals in employment disputes. Most recently, our law firm earned Tier 1 rankings in several categories in the 2024 edition of Best Law Firms®. Our attorneys include the former president of the National Employment Lawyers Association, a past and the current president of the Connecticut Employment Lawyers Association, and the 2024 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in “Employment Law – Individuals” in New Haven.

We represent individuals – from corporate executives to hourly workers – in every aspect of employment law, including:

  • Discrimination (on the basis of race, sex, age, physical or mental disability, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity, among others) and harassment, including sexual harassment;
  • Wrongful termination, including wrongful discharge in violation of public policy;
  • Retaliation against whistleblowers;
  • Free speech and other retaliation;
  • Overtime compensation, unpaid wages and commissions, and other wage and hour issues;
  • Non-competition agreements; and
  • Contract and severance negotiations.

Over the years, the civil rights lawyers of Garrison, Levin-Epstein have taken on virtually every large employer in Connecticut.

    Although Garrison, Levin-Epstein only represents individuals in employment litigation, we are also available to counsel employers in a variety of non-litigation contexts, including advising them on their rights and obligations and conducting internal investigations of employee allegations of misconduct.

    Founded:
    1977
    Size:
    6
    Magnifying glass with star icon
    Practice Areas:
    4
    Person outline with Best Lawyers logo
    Best Lawyers Recognized:
    5

    Rankings

    Regional

    New Haven

    Tier
    1
    New Haven
    Employment Law - Individuals
    Tier
    1
    New Haven
    Litigation - Insurance
    Tier
    1
    New Haven
    Litigation - Labor and Employment
    Tier
    1
    New Haven
    Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
    Tier
    2
    New Haven
    Litigation - ERISA
    Tier
    2
    New Haven
    Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants

    Firm Leadership

    Joseph D. Garrison
    Partner
    Joshua R. Goodbaum
    Partner
    Nina T. Pirrotti
    Partner
    Stephen J. Fitzgerald
    Partner

    About Our Clients

    At Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti, P.C., we represent individuals who require legal help in several different practice areas. Our team is dedicated to help those who have experienced wrongful treatment in the workplace or suffered a personal injury or workers' compensation injury. Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti, P.C. also offers mediation and arbitration services to our clients. Whatever help our clients require, Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti, P.C. works hard to help them receive justice.

    Rankings

    Regional

    New Haven

    Tier
    1
    New Haven
    Employment Law - Individuals
    Tier
    1
    New Haven
    Litigation - Insurance
    Tier
    1
    New Haven
    Litigation - Labor and Employment
    Tier
    1
    New Haven
    Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
    Tier
    2
    New Haven
    Litigation - ERISA
    Tier
    2
    New Haven
    Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants

    Practice Areas

    Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti PC has been ranked by Best Law Firms for excellence in 6 specialties, reflecting the firm's commitment to delivering outstanding legal services.
    Additionally, the firm provides services in these practice areas:
    • Employment Law - Individuals
    • Litigation - Labor and Employment
    • Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
    • Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants

    Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

    Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti PC proudly has 5 lawyers recognized for their outstanding professional performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. This peer-reviewed honor highlights individual excellence and directly qualifies the firm for consideration in the prestigious Best Law Firms rankings. For over four decades, Best Lawyers has been the gold standard for recognizing top legal talent, serving as the cornerstone for Best Law Firms awards. Learn more about our rigorous Best Lawyers research and selection process.
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    Firm News

    Spinning circle
    November 2, 2023
    Garrison Law Earns Tier 1 Ranking in the 2024 Edition of Best Law FirmsĀ®
    Read Article Garrison Law Earns Tier 1 Ranking in the 2024 Edition of Best Law Firms®
    October 26, 2023
    Garrison Law Welcomes Associate Attorney Meaghan C. Kirby
    Read Article Garrison Law Welcomes Associate Attorney Meaghan C. Kirby
    August 17, 2023
    Every Garrison Law Attorney Named to Best Lawyers for 2024
    Read Article Every Garrison Law Attorney Named to Best Lawyers for 2024
    June 28, 2023
    Nina Pirrotti Elected a Fellow of College of Labor and Employment Lawyers
    Read Article Nina Pirrotti Elected a Fellow of College of Labor and Employment Lawyers
    June 12, 2023
    Garrison Law Celebrates the Retirement of Ethan Levin-Epstein
    Read Article Garrison Law Celebrates the Retirement of Ethan Levin-Epstein
    April 26, 2023
    Josh Goodbaum and Jordan Wheeler Publish ABA Article on Becoming an Employment Lawyer
    Read Article Josh Goodbaum and Jordan Wheeler Publish ABA Article on Becoming an Employment Lawyer
    ... ...

    Awards

    Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti PC is honored to be recognized for excellence by Best Law Firms and other leading legal industry organizations. Our rankings and awards reflect the dedication, skill, and results our attorneys deliver across a wide range of practice areas. In addition to our Best Law Firms awards, Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti PC has earned accolades from respected national and regional publications for outstanding legal service and professional achievement. Explore our awards below to learn more about how Garrison, Levin-Epstein, Fitzgerald & Pirrotti PC continues to set the standard for quality legal representation.
    2024 Best Law FirmsĀ® - Garrison Law received a Tier 1 metropolitan ranking in several categories for the New Haven area.
    Connecticut Law Tribune - 2021 Labor & Employment Litigation Department of the Year
    2021 U.S. News & World Report and Best lawyers - Garrison, Levin-Epstein received a Tier 1 regional ranking in several categories for the New Haven area.
    2020 U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers - Garrison, Levin-Epstein received a Tier 1 regional ranking in several categories for the New Haven area.
    2019 U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers - Garrison, Levin-Epstein received a Tier 1 regional ranking in several categories for the New Haven area.
    2015 U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers - Garrison, Levin-Epstein received a Tier 1 regional ranking in several categories for the New Haven area.
    Connecticut Law Tribune - 2015 Best Litigation Department of the Year for Employment Law
    2014 U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers - Garrison, Levin-Epstein received a Tier 1 regional ranking in several categories for the New Haven area.

    Offices & Contacts

    Joshua Goodbaum
    Partner

    Significant Matters

    • A $6.3 million jury verdict on behalf of a Yale University doctor who was wrongly disciplined and demoted because of his patient care advocacy;
    • A $1.75 million settlement against a major university following litigation of Title IX and Title VII claims on behalf of an employee who had been sexually harassed and assaulted in the workplace;
    • A $1.285 million settlement on behalf of five UConn students and alumnae for indifferent responses to reports of sexual assault and harassment, in violation of Title IX;
    • A $2.985 million arbitration award for a hedge fund manager who was wrongly deprived of the opportunity to earn deferred compensation;
    • A $3.5 million settlement on behalf of a high-level Fortune 100 executive who was subject to age discrimination; and
    • A jury verdict of nearly $2 million on behalf of a Pfizer scientist for First Amendment retaliation after she spoke out about dangerous laboratory conditions.
    • A $1+ million settlement on behalf of five employees subjected to sexual harassment and/or retaliation by the chief of a department.
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