Overview

Kainen, Escalera & McHale, P.C. is a law firm that focuses its practice on private and public sector labor and employment law and litigation issues and education-related matters on behalf of employers. Within our practice, we provide counseling and preventive services to assist managers and human resource professionals, as well as defense of lawsuits brought against employers in the state and federal courts and matters before administrative agencies and arbitrators.

From our offices directly across from the State Capitol, we conduct a labor, employment and education law practice that is both nationwide and also fully tailored to meet the needs of Connecticut-based private businesses, non-profit organizations and public sector entities. Our private sector clients include manufacturers, media companies, financial institutions, insurance agencies, wholesalers and retailers, dental/medical practices, property management companies, nursing homes and various service-related businesses. Our non-profit clients include community health centers, drug and alcohol rehabilitation/treatment agencies and disability care facilities. Our public sector clients include municipalities, local and regional governmental authorities and boards of education. Our firm has also been retained by a number of insurance carriers to represent their insureds in labor, employment and education matters.

The decision to start our firm in 2000 was largely driven by our recognition that employers need timely, effective and cost efficient representation, and we have tailored our practice to allow us to meet those needs. Our firm’s partners have been practicing together for many years and collectively have nearly 275 years of experience in labor, employment and education law matters. Our experience indicates that a boutique labor, employment and education law firm has a competitive advantage because we can control expenses and hold the line on legal fees while, at the same time, provide quality services with experienced partners handling the matter from start to finish. Further, our operating philosophy does not allow us to use two attorneys to do the job of one or to treat disbursements as a profit center. Rather, low overhead and appropriate staffing allows us to deliver quality work in a timely manner at a reasonable price.

No other stand-alone labor, employment and education law defense firm in Connecticut has as many partners with at least twenty or more years of experience handling such matters as the partners in our firm. We are proud of our firm’s recognition on the first-tier rankings for employment law defense firms in U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings in every year since the rankings began in 2010. We are also proud to treat your workplace as our business!

Founded:
2000
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Practice Areas:
4
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Best Lawyers Recognized:
7

Rankings

Regional

Hartford

Tier
1
Hartford
Employment Law - Management
Tier
1
Hartford
Labor Law - Management
Tier
1
Hartford
Litigation - Labor and Employment
Tier
2
Hartford
Education Law

Rankings

Regional

Hartford

Tier
1
Hartford
Employment Law - Management
Tier
1
Hartford
Labor Law - Management
Tier
1
Hartford
Litigation - Labor and Employment
Tier
2
Hartford
Education Law

Practice Areas

Kainen, Escalera & McHale PC has been ranked by Best Law Firms for excellence in 4 specialties, reflecting the firm's commitment to delivering outstanding legal services.
Additionally, the firm provides services in these practice areas:
  • Education Law
  • Employment Law - Management
  • Labor Law - Management
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment

Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

Kainen, Escalera & McHale PC proudly has 7 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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Client Comments

A strong relationship between a client and their law firm is key to achieving the best possible outcomes. Open communication, trust, and collaboration ensure that attorneys understand each client’s unique goals and needs. Choosing the right firm means finding a team with the experience, knowledge, and dedication to guide you through every stage of the legal process.
Client comments reflect personal opinions and individual experiences. Every case is different, and outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances. Past results and testimonials do not guarantee similar outcomes in future matters. For personalized legal advice, consult directly with an experienced attorney who can evaluate your specific situation and provide tailored guidance.
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Offices & Contacts

Hartford, CT
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