Overview

Jacqueline Phipps Polito is a trial attorney with substantial experience in all aspects of traditional and nontraditional labor and employment litigation. She represents both public and private sector clients, at the trial and appellate level. She has significant collective bargaining and labor relations experience. Her practical approach, combined with her management background, enables her to offer strategic employment advice to clients, recognizing the global needs of the organization.

She practices in state and federal courts and is admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court. Her practice areas are:

  • Employment discrimination law and litigation
  • The New York State Human Rights Law
  • Public Employment Relations Board (PERB)
  • National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
  • Article 78 proceedings
  • Public sector law
  • Education law
  • Litigating all aspects of cases involving protection of trade secrets and post-employment restrictions
  • Labor relations
  • Collective bargaining
  • Arbitrations
  • The Fair Labor Standards Act

Jackie also provides clients with employment counseling and training. She has authored numerous articles and conducted numerous seminars regarding developments in both the private and public sector employment law areas, including:

  • Conducting efficient, effective, and lawful workplace investigations
  • Contract compliance
  • Policy and procedure updates
  • Laws prohibiting discrimination in employment
  • Workplace harassment
  • Terminations in the public sector
  • Collective negotiations
  • Hiring and firing public sector employees
  • Civil service law
  • Interest based bargaining

Prior to joining Littler Mendelson's Rochester office, Jackie served as the Chief Human Capital Initiatives Officer and Chief Labor Negotiator for the Rochester City School District, the area’s third largest employer, where she oversaw and managed human resources, employee benefits, and labor relations. Immediately prior to that, she was a partner at another firm, where she served as a member of the Labor and Employment Group.

Professional & Community Affiliations

Member

New York State Bar Association

Member, Nominating Committee

Greater Rochester Area Women's Bar Association

2006

Board Member

Encompass Resources for Learning

2013-2015

Trustee

Seneca Park Zoo Society

2007-2010

Recognition

Named, The Best Lawyers in America®

2016-2025

Ranked, Labor & Employment

Chambers USA

2021-2024

Named, The Power 20

Labor and Employment Law

The Daily Record

2022-2023

Named, Top 10 Most Influential Labor & Employment Lawyers in Upstate New York

Business Today

2023

News, Analysis & Press

2024 Power Law Lists: Jacqueline Phipps Polito

Rochester Business Journal

July 19, 2024

Webinar discusses how to stay on top of legal and regulatory changes

The Daily Record of Western New York

February 27, 2024

RBJ presents the 2023 Power 50 Law

Rochester Business Journal

December 22, 2023

RBJ's Power 50 Law 2022

Rochester Business Journal

December 30, 2022

Speaking Engagements

2024 Tri-State Regional Employer Conference

New York, NY

September 19, 2024

Conducting Lawful Investigations in the New Workplace

Littler Executive Employer Conference, Phoenix, AZ

May 8, 2024

2023 Tri-State Regional Employer Conference

New York, NY

June 20, 2023

Conducting Lawful Investigations in the Evolving Workplace

Littler Executive Employer Conference, Phoenix, AZ

May 10, 2023

Working Here, Working There, Working Everywhere: Post-Pandemic Remote Work Challenges

NHRA

February 15, 2023

Education

  • J.D., Albany Law School, 1993cum laude
  • B.A., State University of New York at Binghamton, 1990

Bar Admission

New York

Courts

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of New York