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labor law new york ny

Ariel (Ari) Y. Graff | Partner

Mr. Graff is a distinguished employment law advocate with an extensive track record in resolving complex workplace disputes. His practice encompasses the full spectrum of employment matters, including workplace harassment and discrimination, wrongful termination, breach of contract, whistleblowing, and wage and hour violations.

Representing a diverse clientele of individual employees, high-level executives, and corporate entities, Mr. Graff is a seasoned litigator who has achieved success in state and federal trials as well as appellate courts. Beyond the courtroom, he serves as a strategic advisor, counseling clients on the drafting of employment contracts, severance agreements, and comprehensive workplace policies. He is also highly regarded for his ability to negotiate favorable out-of-court settlements in sensitive employment-related claims.

Representative Experience

Mr. Graff has secured significant results across a wide array of industries and legal disciplines:

  • Wage & Hour Class Actions: Secured class certification for over 10,000 food service employees in a federal action involving tens of millions of dollars in potential damages.
  • Executive Advocacy: Represented a female executive against an international Japanese bank in a multi-million dollar gender discrimination matter; represented a former international bank executive in a multi-million dollar breach of contract claim.
  • Trial Victories: Obtained a multi-million dollar jury verdict for a hospitality employee regarding retaliation claims; secured a federal jury verdict for a construction worker in a religious discrimination and wrongful termination suit; and won a jury verdict for an employee in a workplace assault and battery case.
  • Whistleblower & Public Funds: Successfully resolved whistleblower claims for a former executive involving the misuse of public funds by an educational corporation.
  • Corporate Defense & Dismissals: Successfully defended an E-commerce company in a multi-million dollar federal class action; secured the dismissal of a breach of contract lawsuit against an online marketplace operator.
  • Labor & Compensation: Negotiated a $700,000 settlement for unpaid wages on behalf of 11 food service workers and represented an advertising sales employee in federal litigation regarding million-dollar breach of contract and overtime claims.

Professional Distinctions:

  • Avvo Rating: 10.0 / 10.0 ("Superb")
  • Super Lawyers: Selected to the New York Super Lawyers (2022-2025) and Rising Stars lists for twelve consecutive years (2013-2021).

Education:

  • UCLA School of Law, J.D.
    Managing Editor, UCLA Law Review
  • Brandeis University, B.A., cum laude

Admissions & Clerkships:

  • State Bar: New York
  • Federal Courts: U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Eastern, Northern, and Western Districts of New York
  • Appellate: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit