Connell Foley LLP recently announced the addition of Carmel Joy Decker as a partner in the firm’s Labor & Employment Law practice group. A seasoned litigator with a broad multidisciplinary background, Decker brings a wealth of expertise in navigating complex legal landscapes for corporate and public sector clients.
Decker’s practice is distinguished by its diversity, spanning employment law, civil rights, construction law and corporate litigation. Her arrival signals a strategic expansion for Connell Foley, as she offers clients a unique blend of high-stakes litigation experience and practical business insight.
In the realm of labor and employment, Decker is recognized for her sophisticated defense of employers in both state and federal courts. Her expertise includes:
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Litigation Defense: Handling wrongful termination, discrimination, and hostile work environment claims.
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Statutory Expertise: Navigating complex issues under ERISA, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD).
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Regulatory Advocacy: Representing clients before the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Beyond the courtroom, Decker serves as a strategic advisor, guiding organizations through the nuances of hiring practices and workplace compliance to mitigate risk in an ever-changing regulatory environment.
Decker also brings a formidable reputation in construction law, where she manages multi-party disputes involving design deficiencies, professional liability for architects and engineers, and site accidents. Her ability to parse intricate contractual relationships has made her a go-to advocate for complex defect and building code violation cases.
Additionally, her civil rights practice involves representing public entities and employees in matters concerning constitutional violations and negligence, further rounding out her versatile legal profile.
Decker earned her Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law. She also holds a B.S. in Business Administration, cum laude, from Montclair State University, a background that provides her with the business acumen necessary to understand the operational challenges facing her clients.
