Leading New Jersey Employment Law Attorney Joins Jackson Lewis LLP

MORRISTOWN, N.J., (March 4, 2010) – Jackson Lewis LLP, one of the country’s largest and fastest-growing workplace law firms, announced today that John K. Bennett has joined the firm’s Morristown, N.J. office as a Partner. Prior to joining Jackson Lewis, Mr. Bennett chaired the Labor and Employment Law practice at Connell Foley LLP in Roseland.

Mr. Bennett is considered one of the state’s most knowledgeable employment law experts and accomplished trial attorneys.  Mr. Bennett has successfully represented some of New Jersey’s and the country’s largest and most recognized organizations including Anheuser-Busch, Inc., Becton, Dickinson and Company (“BD”), Merck & Co., Inc., Medco Health Solutions, Inc., Kelly Services, Inc., Nestle USA Beverage Division, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey,  Fairleigh Dickinson University, and other leading New Jersey employers. Mr. Bennett has served for many years on the executive committee of the Labor and Employment Law section of the New Jersey State Bar Association. Mr. Bennett maintains a top “AV” rating by the leading legal peer-rating group Martindale-Hubbell, and is recognized as a leading lawyer in the Employment and Labor Law category by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in the New York Area, and New Jersey Super Lawyers.

As a Partner at Jackson Lewis, Mr. Bennett will provide internal leadership and expert client counsel in all areas of employment law, including litigation and trials in federal and state courts and administrative agencies; negotiation and enforcement of employment agreements, agreements to arbitrate employment disputes, the enforcement of restrictive covenants, as well as arbitrations under collective bargaining agreements.

Commenting on his reasons for joining Jackson Lewis, Mr. Bennett said, “Jackson Lewis’s national scope and singular focus on employment law gives me and my clients tremendous access to specialized expertise and support. Not only does joining the firm advance my capabilities and resources as an employment lawyer, it also presents my clients with enhanced opportunities for continued success, with the cost-efficiency and personal care and responsiveness to which they have grown accustomed.”

Morristown Managing Partner Richard J. Cino said, “At Jackson Lewis, we feel an obligation to our clients to offer the very best legal expertise to protect our client’s rights and help guide their businesses.  John’s experience, leadership and outstanding reputation make him a perfect fit for our firm.  We are very fortunate John is joining Jackson Lewis.”  

Jackson Lewis firm-wide Managing Partner Patrick L. Vaccaro adds, “John is considered by his peers as a lawyer’s lawyer, one of the very best in the region.  It is not every day you get the opportunity to add an individual of this stature.  In all the things we look for: competence, integrity, impeccable credentials and reputation coupled with the ability to attract and keep clients, John is at the very top of his game.  We are quite confident he will contribute to the firm’s success in every imaginable aspect and we are delighted to have him as a part of our family.”

Mr. Bennett frequently speaks on topics of labor and employment law at national and regional conferences, has authored numerous articles in a variety of legal journals and magazines, and authors a chapter on special considerations in the practice of labor and employment law in the New Jersey federal courts. He is admitted to practice law in the State of New Jersey, the United States Supreme Court, the Second and Third Circuit Court of Appeals; and various U.S. District Courts in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

He has a master’s degree in Labor Law from New York University School of Law (summa cum laude); a law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law, where he was articles editor for the Seton Hall Law Review; and a bachelor’s degree from Lafayette College (magna cum laude).   Mr. Bennett, upon graduation from Seton Hall, was law clerk to the Hon. Robert L. Clifford, Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.

Mr. Bennett resides in Westfield, N.J. with his wife Faith and their three daughters.

About Jackson Lewis

Founded in 1958, Jackson Lewis is dedicated to representing management exclusively in workplace law with over 610 attorneys practicing in 45 cities nationwide.  Jackson Lewis has a wide-range of specialized practice areas, including:  Affirmative Action and OFCCP Diversity Planning; Disability, Leave and Health Management; Employee Benefits, including Complex ERISA Litigation, Workplace Privacy and Executive Compensation; Global Immigration; Labor, including Preventive Practices; Litigation, including Class Actions, Complex Litigation and e-Discovery; Trade Secrets, Non-Competes and Workplace Technology; Wage and Hour Compliance; and Workplace Safety Compliance.  In addition, Jackson Lewis provides advice nationally in other workplace law areas, including:  Reductions in Force, WARN Act; Corporate Governance and Internal Investigations; Drug Testing and Substance Abuse Management; International Issues; Management Education, including e-Based Training; Alternative Dispute Resolution; Public Sector Issues; Government Relations; Corporate Diversity Counseling and College and University Employment Law and Compliance Issues. 

Additional information about Jackson Lewis can be found at www.jacksonlewis.com

# # #

For more information, please contact:
Lara Hamm, Jackson Lewis
T: (212) 545-4031, E: hamml@jacksonlewis.com

Kara Dullea, Details PR
T: (864) 275.3331, E: kara@detailsdm.com