Overview
For over 30 years, Francine Esposito has represented employers nationwide at labor arbitrations, before various administrative agencies (including but not limited to the NLRB, OSHA and EEOC) and in employment-related litigation. Francine has extensive experience in assisting employers to avoid legal disputes by conducting compliance audits and workplace investigations, designing and presenting training, and advising on a wide array of labor and employment-related issues, including but not limited to:
- Discrimination, harassment and retaliation
- Leave and accommodation issues
- Compliance with labor law and the negotiation and administration of collective bargaining agreements
- Effective employee relations and union organizing drives
- Workforce impact of purchases, sales and relocations of businesses
- Discipline, discharge and reductions-in-force
- Effective and legally-compliant employment policies
- Separation, employment and non-compete agreements
- Background checking
- Wage and hour compliance
- Employee safety and health
Francine has assisted employers in effecting business change and cost savings during collective bargaining, and advised employers in various labor disputes. Francine has represented employers in various industries, including hospitality, banking, logistics, technology, media, healthcare, retail, casino, accounting, real estate, engineering and construction, utility and higher education. Prior to becoming an attorney, Francine worked as a human resources/labor relations professional for two Fortune 100 companies.
Experience
Handled hundreds of labor arbitrations, including discharge and contract interpretation cases
Represented clients in numerous unfair labor practice proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
Advised employers regarding administration of collective bargaining agreements and bargaining obligations with unions under the NLRA, while planning and implementing business change
Served as lead negotiator or legal advisor to company negotiators during negotiations of collective bargaining agreements in industries, such as healthcare, hospitality, maintenance, utilities and automotive, resulting in significant cost savings and/or operational flexibility
Regularly conducted employment-related training for clients nationally and internationally, resulting in decreased manager mistakes that result in employer liability, and one-on-one counseling for executives as prompt remedial action of various complaints
Represented employers before the EEOC and various state anti‑discrimination agencies and in litigation, but also successfully resolved numerous harassment and discrimination claims in such agencies and court for minimal amounts and without adverse publicity to the defendant employers
Successfully devised or negotiated resolution of various employment‑related disputes prior to litigation or soon after complaint
Education and Credentials
Education
- Rutgers School of Law-Newark, J.D., 1993
- Cornell University, School of Industrial and Labor Relations, B.S., 1987
Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, 1998
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 2000
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, 2000
- U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, 1993
- State of New Jersey
Affiliations
- American Bar Association, Section of Labor and Employment Law
- New Jersey State Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
- Society for Human Resource Management
- Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Recognition and Community
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the highest court of any state. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. See Awards Methodology.
Recognitions
Chosen for inclusion in the Chambers USA Legal Directory (Chambers & Partners) of recognized practitioners for Labor and Employment in New Jersey, 2023-2024
In The Media
Media Mention
- Labor Law: Employees' Protected Activity Under the NLRA in the U.S., February 16, 2024
- Appeals Court Tosses Lawsuit over Trump-Era Joint Employer Rule, SHRM's HR Daily, November 8, 2021
- The Changing Landscape of Labor Law Under the Biden Administration, Employment and Law Alliance, July 19, 2021
- What Employees Can Legally Say on Facebook-and Get Away With, Corporate Counsel, December 21, 2015
- New Bill Would 'Ban the Box' for Federal Contractors, Staffing Industry Analysts, September 25, 2015
Speaking Engagements
- Labor Law: "NLRB Developments: Stay-or-Pay, Non-Competition and Moonlighting Provisions, Employer Communications During Union Organizing and What to Expect During the Trump Presidency", January 2, 2025
- Employment Law Update | October 12, 2017, October 12, 2017
- Federal and State Law Updates, June 16, 2017
- Navigating the Ongoing Challenges of Employees' Social Media Use | June 9, 2016, June 9, 2016
- Navigating the Ongoing Challenges of Employees' Social Media Use | June 2, 2016, June 2, 2016
Publications
- Federal Contractors Will Have To Provide Paid Sick Time, Pratt's Government Contracting Law, January 20, 2016
- Francise Esposito published in Business & Legal Resources "5 Tips for Navigating FMLA Certification Process", Business & Legal Resources, February 1, 2012