Overview
Stuart is the only lawyer in Connecticut who has been named "Lawyer of the Year" by the Best Lawyers in America® for representing both Management and Individuals in the area of Employment Law, recognition that reflects his unique experience on both sides of the employer-employee relationship. A strong advocate who brings a strategic, big picture approach to every case, these attributes have been recognized in Chambers USA where sources say: “He works with clients very well and keeps them informed. He is one of my go-to people for employment litigation and is all-around excellent."
Employment Law
Stuart is chair of the firm’s Employment Counseling & Litigation Group. He represents employers of all sizes in defending a wide range of discrimination and harassment suits and litigating restrictive covenant, breach of contract, and wage claims. His clients include employers in industries such as healthcare, financial services, higher education, technology, construction, retail, and municipalities.
Stuart also represents professionals and executives in matters relating to their employment. He routinely provides workplace trainings and guidance to employers and employees regarding personnel policies, handbooks, internal investigations, and employee discipline. Stuart’s employment practice includes representation of clients in both state and federal courts, often acting as local counsel for out-of-state law firms and companies. He regularly handles matters before the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Department of Labor, and other administrative agencies. Stuart also serves as an arbitrator and mediator for employment disputes and is a member of the American Arbitration Association's Panel of Employment Arbitrators.
Commercial Litigation
Stuart is also chair of the firm’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group and handles complex business disputes of all kinds. His clients include owners of closely-held businesses, universities, financial services firms, medical and dental practices, and municipalities in cases involving claims of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, violations of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA), and various business torts. He regularly appears in both state and federal courts and before alternate dispute resolution organizations such as the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), as well as other arbitration and mediation neutrals.
Involvement
In addition to leading firm practice groups, Stuart chairs the firm’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. This committee has undertaken a number of initiatives aimed at promoting greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal field, and at Cohen and Wolf. Stuart has previously chaired the firm’s Marketing and Recruitment committees.
Active in his community, Stuart served as president of the board of directors of Camp Ramah in New England from 2018-2022. He served for many years as an associate national commissioner and on the regional executive committee of the Anti-Defamation League and on the board of directors of Ezra Academy. He is also a past-President of Temple Beth Sholom in Hamden.
Credentials
Education
Boston University, J.D., 1992
• Articles Editor, American Journal of Law and Medicine
Brandeis University, B.A., cum laude 1989
Admissions
- Connecticut
- U.S. District Court District of Connecticut
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Honors & Awards
Benchmark Litigation Star, 2011-present
Benchmark Litigation Labor & Employment Star, Northeast, 2019-2022
Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year”, Employment Law-Management, Stamford, CT metro area, 2018
Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year”, Employment Law-Individuals, Stamford, CT metro area, 2016, 2022
Best Lawyers®, Employment Law, Management and Individuals, 2013-present
Best Lawyers®, Litigation, Labor & Employment, 2013-present
Chambers USA, Employment Law, 2008-present
Connecticut Super Lawyers® “Top Ten” List, 2013-2015
Connecticut Super Lawyers® “Top 50” List, 2012-2018, 2021
Super Lawyers®, "Top 100 New England Super Lawyers". 2013-2015, 2017-2019
Connecticut Super Lawyers®, 2009-present
Martindale-Hubbell®, AV® Preeminent™ Peer Rating
Moffly Media's "Top Lawyers in Fairfield County", Civil Law Litigation, 2021
Connecticut Law Tribune, "New Leader in the Law" Award, 2003
ADL Daniel Ginsberg Leadership Award, 1997
Newsroom
News
Speaking Engagements
Publications
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association
Connecticut Bar Association
• Labor & Employment Section, Executive Committee
Greater Bridgeport Bar Association
National Arbitration and Mediation (NAM): Arbitrator and Mediator
Community Involvement
Camp Ramah in New England, President, 2018- Present
Ezra Academy, Former member of Executive Committee and Board of Directors, 2014-2018
Anti-Defamation League, Associate National Commissioner, Regional Executive Committee, 1996-2016
Temple Beth Sholom, Past President, 2006-2008