Carol Goodman is co-chair of Herrick, Feinstein LLP’s Litigation Department, chair of the firm’s Employment Practice and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee.
Carol is a complex commercial litigator with a sub-specialty in employment law. Carol advises public and private companies in all aspects of employment law throughout various industries such as government, sports, multi-media, real estate, finance, hospitality, and the arts.
Carol defends employers and key employees against the full range of federal and state employment claims, as well as landlords and property owners against discrimination in housing claims. Carol’s experience includes litigation at the trial and appellate level in state and federal courts, arbitration venues, and before authorities such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the New York State Division of Human Rights (NYSDHR), the New York City Commission on Human Rights (NYCCHR), Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOP) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Carol routinely works with in-house legal teams and human resource professionals to handle sensitive or high-profile ‘crisis’ situations. This includes internal complaints of harassment, whistleblower claims and governmental investigations.
Carol designs, implements and conducts harassment and discrimination prevention training for companies, their Board of Directors, executives, managers and/or staff. With decades of experience litigating employment matters, Carol adds an element of reality to her live training sessions (conducted in-person or, more recently through virtual platforms) by using relevant real-life examples tailored to the specific industry and audience. Carol also regularly assists companies with establishing reporting mechanisms and conducting internal investigations.
Carol performs employment policy reviews for employers which include a full assessment to ensure that they are compliant with current laws and regulations, including with respect to new COVID-19 leave laws, parental and sick leave laws, proper classification under the Labor Law and FLSA, and anti-harassment and anti-discrimination regulations. Carol regularly develops, drafts and provides guidance on compensation arrangements, severance packages, releases and exit incentive programs. Employers rely on Carol’s advice to see them through both the hiring process and individual and group terminations, mass layoffs and furloughs. During the pandemic, Carol counseled clients on implementing compliant COVID-19 safety plans, providing guidance and assistance in connection with re-entry to the workplace.
Recognitions and Accolades:
- Euromoney, Women in Business Law, Labour & Employment Lawyer of the Year (2024)
- Lawdragon 500 - Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers Guide (2024)
- The Legal 500 - Recommended Lawyer - Litigation (2023)
- Crain's New York Business, Notable Women in the Law (2022)
- The National Law Journal, Employment Law Trailblazers (2022)
- Thomson Reuters New York Metro Super Lawyers - Employment Litigation: Defense, Employment & Labor: Employer (2013 - 2023)
Updated Sep 2024
